Towards the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico

Abstract

The focus of this article is to examine how higher education institutions in Mexico are preparing for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. Specifically, we have developed a case study of the University of Guadalajara (UdG), the second largest higher education institution in Mexico, by identifying its institutional sustainability programs as preconditions toward the achievement of SDGs. For this purpose, we first analyze the evolution of UdG's sustainability programs and their preliminary results, including participation in nationwide higher education sustainable development partnerships and consortiums. We then explore how these institutional programs might harmonize with the sustainable development goals and targets. Finally, and based on the main environmental issues faced by each region of the state of Jalisco, we propose a statewide SDG preliminary agenda that links UdG's outreach and research programs with sustainable development policies of local governments.