JYU signs a commitment to nature positivity
The University commits to clarify its biodiversity impacts, set goals to promote biodiversity, implement related actions, and report about the actions annually. The Ģֱ is already a pioneer in the measurement and reporting of climate emissions and biodiversity impacts.
The Nature Positive Universities Alliance is a global university network established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the University of Oxford. Its purpose is to support ecosystem restoration in the higher education sector. The goal is nature positivity, which refers to stopping the decline of biodiversity and improving the state of nature. The initiative is related to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the sustainable development goals.
“One strategic goal of the Ģֱ is to decisively aim for planetary well-being,” says Vice Rector Henrik Kunttu. “The goal is that JYU will achieve carbon neutrality and no net loss of biodiversity impacts by 2030.”
The founding universities of the alliance will be published in the Montreal Biodiversity Conference (COP15) on 8 December 2022.
“Universities play an important role in stopping the degradation of nature and restoring biodiversity,” says Professor Janne Kotiaho. “Our students are future leaders. By creating knowledge and growing thinkers, we impact the planet directly. Therefore, universities’ work to restore ecosystems has an extensive impact on our communities as well as outside them.”
Through the alliance, students at the Ģֱ have an opportunity to become student ambassadors of nature positivity.
More information:
Specialist Ulla Helimo, tel. +358 40 340 4181, ulla.t.helimo@jyu.fi
Roadmap to planetary well-being – Environmental Programme of the Ģֱ /fi/yliopisto/organisaatio-ja-johtaminen/johtosaanto-ja-periaatteet/dokumentit/jyu-ymparistoohjelma_10062022.pdf
