“You don’t have to be an expert to realize that sustainable development is going to become the greatest challenge we face this century.”
Tony Blair 2001

The United Nations designated 2005-2015 as the ‘Decade of Education for Sustainable Development’. This educational effort is designed to encourage changes in behavior that will create a more sustainable future in terms of environmental integrity, economic viability, and a just society for present and future generations. Villanova University is committed to making sustainability and sustainable practices part of the intellectual baggage of everyone of its students.

In June of 2007, President Peter Donohue signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, which is a highly visible endeavor to address global warming by bringing together institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate and ensure that resources are available for future generations. As a Catholic institution of higher education, Villanova University has an opportunity and an obligation to exercise leadership in promoting and reinforcing environmental responsibility by integrating the ethical, social, economic and ecological values of environmentally sustainable development into institutional policy and practice. Thus, as part of this commitment, Villanova is integrating sustainability into its curriculum where practical. This is a complex and far-reaching undertaking. The environmental, social, cultural and economic implications are enormous and touch many aspects of life.

Villanova’s environmental sustainability policy indicates that as an institution of higher education, we will support the concepts of sustainability in our curriculum, research, and related activities, preparing all members of the Villanova community to contribute to an environmentally sound and socially just society. Goal 2 of this policy states that Villanova University will engage in appropriate learning opportunities with the intention of creating a community whose members (students, faculty, staff, and graduates) are environmentally literate and responsible.

We propose to accomplish this goal by:

• integrating social and environmental responsibility into curricular development
• fostering further research and a deeper understanding of environmentally sustainable development
• creating and promoting an informed network of Villanovans committed to the principles of environmental sustainability.

Thus, we hope that Villanova’s curricular development efforts capture the spirit and mission of the institution through its influence to search for world peace and justice by means of its academic programs and ministry.

Ultimately, the embodiment of our policy is expected to promote the development of the total person:

• intellectually
• emotionally
• spiritually
• culturally
• socially
• physically
• and to promote the development of a more respectful relationship with the environment.

This sustainability initiative enhances Villanova University’s legacy of social and environmental justice.