For us KLU, sustainability is at the core of our mission. It is an important element of our programs, research and work. Through our dedicated research and teaching, and as a community, we aim to positively impact the responsible transformation towards a more sustainable future for the global economy and society. KLU aims to empower this sustainable future through an operations mindset as outlined in our sustainability statement.
Within our KLU Green Office students, academics, staff and other KLU stakeholders are working together to ensure that sustainability is addressed at KLU at a strategic all levels. The Green Office works on both short- and long-term projects at KLU that support a coordinated approach to sustainability. The activities include, e.g. KLU’s participation in the PIR survey and the support of our students Green Dream Club.
You have an idea for more sustainability at KLU? Tell us via email or use KLU’s idea box.
In KLU we define sustainability broadly not only to include its economic, environmental and social dimensions but also to embrace ethical issues, resilience and humanitarian aid. The research that we conduct in this wide field aims to enhance the health and well-being of the population and the ecosystems upon which we all depend.
Prof. Alan C. McKinnon, PHD, Professor of Logistics
Examples of Sustainability at KLU
Sustainability is a core part of the educational offerings at KLUs. Students can make sustainability the focus of their studies in two ways:
- KLU's Sustainable Management track in the Bachelor in Business Administration (BSc)
- Our certificate or Master’s program in Sustainable Management and Operations
In addition to these focused programs, sustainability is integrated in other courses, such as:
- Sustainable New Product Design and Design Thinking
Degree program: BSc Business Administration - Corporate Social Responsibility
Degree program: MSc Management - Humanitarian Logistics
Degree program: MSc Logistics & SCM - Maritime Logistics and Port Management
Degree program: MSc Global SupplyChain Management - Financial Management for Sustainable Value
Degree program: MBA
Besides that, we also offer focused programs:
- KLU's bachelor track Sustainable Management
- new certificate/master's program Sustainable Management and Operations (starting 2022)
Sustainability features strongly in KLU’s research activities. In addition to the Centre for Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chains (CSLS), the work undertaken by the Centre for Humanitarian Logistics and Regional Development (CHORD) and the Hapag Lloyd Centre for Shipping Chains and Global Logistics (CSGL) reflect KLU’s board approach to sustainability. KLU also participates in the Global Logistics Emission Council Partnership (GLEC).
To find more KLU specific examples, search either KLU publications or KLU research projects using the filer “sustainability”.
Making our campus and operations more sustainable is an ongoing process at KLU. The Green Office continues to explore ways in which it can support the KLU community to make sustainability a consideration in all decision making.
Previous sustainability projects at KLU have included:
- Only using recycled paper and reducing printing overall.
- Encouraging public transportation and cycling through financial incentives and bike parking facilities.
- Working with vendors and contracts to ensure services and products being used by KLU are aligned with sustainable principles.
KLU’s Sustainability Statement: Empowering a Sustainable Future through an Operations Mindset
KLU’s mission is to equip it’s students with both an operations mindset and the essential tools to become responsible leaders and managers striving for a better world. As such, KLU recognizes its critical role in fostering a sustainable future and integrates sustainability, based on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (LINK) (SDGs) into its decision making and management at all levels. KLU will embed sustainable practices in all KLU activities, modelling innovative ways to maximize social and environmental and economic value.
Core Sustainability Values: KLU will engage in transparent planning, decision making and reporting processes aligned to the following:
- Environmental Responsibility: We strive to minimize our environmental impact by conserving resources, reducing waste, and promoting energy efficiency
- Social Equity: We foster a diverse and inclusive environment that prioritizes social justice and well-being
- Economic Stewardship: We operate efficiently, invest in long-term solutions and contribute to a thriving global economy.
How these Core Sustainability Values apply to KLU’s three core functions is outlined below.
- Conduct research that contributes significantly to knowledge, action and impact across the disciplinary and interdisciplinary dimensions of sustainability.
- Support researchers across different fields to work collectively on sustainability problems and their solutions.
- Align decisions about research funding, conduct and communication with sustainability principles.
- Ensure every graduate has a baseline threshold of sustainability knowledge.
- Prepare sustainability specialists through education both via degree programs and executive training.
- Develop leaders across professions and fields to innovate, define, create and contribute to sustainable societies.
- Create space for academia and business to exchange ideas and develop sustainable pathways for future growth.
- Become a hub for communities to engage with sustainability as it relates KLU's research expertise.
- Further partnerships with relevant stakeholders to grow the capacity of the sector to engage with sustainable solutions.
- Develop KLU campuses as spaces that promote sustainable communities.
- Lead technological, financial and social innovation through applied sustainability projects.
- Instill sustainability principles in procurement decisions, across product life cycles and supply chains.
- Implement investment strategies consistent with the University's commitment to sustainability and its financial and legal responsibilities.
