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About U.Porto - Sustainability

The University of Porto positions itself as an agent for change regarding sustainable development, while considering the well-being of current and future generations. We want to set an example through initiatives and specific actions.

U.Porto is strongly dedicated to its 17 Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. It is aware of the important role it plays in scientific education and research, as well as in social responsibility and the protection of the common good.

It is not by chance that sustainability is nowadays a characteristic of the University's classrooms and laboratories. It is present in courses and course units in various dimensions (environmental, social and economic); or in the development of research projects geared towards answering the great global challenges faced by society in fields such as health, climate, biodiversity or renewable energy.

This "culture of sustainability" is rooted in the academic community and in the campus through the implementation of measures aimed at the energy efficiency of buildings, the valorisation of the waste produced, or the promotion of sustainable mobility (for example, the U-Bike project). There are also more green spaces which colour the University's campus.

In 2006, the Faculty of Engineering was the first Portuguese higher education institution to publish its sustainability report. The newly created EDS@FEUP (Education for Sustainable Development) project is one of many FEUP's ongoing actions which aims to develop sustainability skills in different FEUP study cycles.

In the front line for a more sustainable world

As a leading player, U.Porto also aims to encourage other Portuguese universities through initiatives such as the Sustainable Campus Network. Its first conference took place in 2019 at FEUP and resulted in the signature of the first letter of commitment to sustainable development in the framework of Portuguese higher education.

On a local level, U.Porto is one of the institutions that participates in the Porto Climate Pact. Through this initiative, the University's critical mass, scientific resources and technological innovations in the environmental field participate in the city's sustainable development, particularly in its carbon neutrality goals.

The University of Porto is also the seat of the Common Home of Humanity, a network which advocates the global management of Earth's natural resources.