UNICO: Accelerating Net-Zero Actions Across University Campuses

RITURAJ PHUKAN

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), in partnership with Erasmus+, has recently launched the University Cooperation for Net Zero on Campus (UNICO) project. This ambitious new initiative builds on the SDSN’s expertise in campus decarbonization through the Net Zero on Campus initiative. It aims to accelerate European universities’ efforts to cut emissions, enhance collaboration with cities, and empower communities to drive climate action.

Across Europe and the world, universities are home to cutting-edge research on climate solutions, but their potential goes far beyond the classroom. A campus is a living environment where ideas can be tested, data can be collected, and entire communities can witness what a net-zero future looks like. UNICO will mobilize leading universities from the SDSN’s Networks across the European Union (EU) to lead by example.

The launch of UNICO comes at a time when the world is grappling with the reality of the decisive decade for climate action. Universities are unique entities; they are like small cities, with their own energy footprints, waste systems, and social structures. By committing to net zero, these institutions are not just reducing their carbon output but are also providing a powerful template for the communities that surround them. The UNICO initiative provides a structured framework for universities to share best practices, pilot innovative technologies, and foster a culture of environmental stewardship among the youth.

UNICO will build on the SDSN’s Net Zero on Campus initiative, which has supported institutions worldwide through its guide, toolkit, and community of practice. It will continue these efforts while adding a new dimension of European cooperation and incorporating priorities set by Erasmus+, particularly around inclusion and diversity.

The UNICO project is led by the SDSN’s Networks Program and will feature four universities from the SDSN’s network, each bringing deep local knowledge and strong community ties.Participating universities include the Bucharest University of Economics, the Politecnico di Torino in Italy, the University of the Basque Country in Spain and the University College Cork in Ireland.

UNICO will focus on four interconnected ambitions.

1. Build capacity for action: UNICO will organize training programs and peer-learning sessions to help universities design, govern, and implement credible net-zero pathways.

2. Strengthen university–city partnerships: UNICO will support closer alignment between campus strategies and municipal climate plans, extending impact beyond university boundaries and into the wider community.

3. Empower people and participation: UNICO will champion participatory governance and inclusive engagement, enabling all members of university communities to take part in decision-making and sustainability efforts.

4. Enhance the Net Zero on Campus Guide: UNICO will develop a new chapter on inclusion and diversity, aligning directly with Erasmus+ priorities and recognizing that a just transition requires climate action that works for all members of the university community.

In the lush landscapes of Northeast India, where the rhythms of life are dictated by the flow of our rivers and the whispers of our forests, we have long understood the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world. Our ancestors lived by a code of sustainability centuries before the term became a global catchphrase. Yet, the climate crisis is a challenge of such magnitude that it requires a monumental shift in how we manage our human habitats and our universities have a moral and practical imperative to lead this transition.

By emulating the UNICO project, the universities of the northeast region can bridge the gap between traditional indigenous wisdom and modern scientific mitigation. Imagine a campus that operates entirely on decentralized renewable energy, manages its water with the same reverence as our forest-dwelling communities, and serves as a sanctuary for local biodiversity.

UNICO offers a platform for sharing technical expertise, networking and collaborative platform to turn this vision into reality. It encourages the integration of climate action into every facet of university life, from the administration’s procurement policies to the curriculum taught in the classrooms, all of which can be replicated in the region.

Furthermore, this initiative aligns with the global calls for climate justice. As I have often argued, those who have contributed the least to the accumulation of greenhouse gases are often the ones suffering the most. By leading the charge toward net zero, universities in the Global South can demonstrate that sustainability is not a luxury of the developed world but a necessity for survival and resilience. The participation of Northeast Indian universities would ensure that our unique challenges and perspectives are represented in the global dialogue on campus decarbonization.

The youth of our region are our greatest asset. They are the ones who will inherit the consequences of our actions today. Through a UNICO-like initiative, students in Assam can engage directly with international peers, learning how to implement nature-based solutions and circular economic principles. We must transform our campuses into models of the world we wish to see – a world where development does not come at the cost of the environment. Our universities must become the torchbearers of this change, proving that even in the face of a global crisis, a dedicated community can pave the way toward a net zero world.

UNICO will help universities strengthen their institutional capacity, learn from peers, and apply practical solutions on the ground. The project aims to turn universities into testing grounds for net-zero solutions that can be scaled across sectors and municipalities. At the same time, UNICO will help deepen collaboration between participating universities and their cities. The project presents an exciting opportunity for universities to partner with the SDSN and to bring together climate expertise, academic networks, and hands-on innovation under one shared effort.

Rituraj Phukan: Founder, Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum; Co-Founder, Smily Academy ;National Coordinator for Biodiversity, The Climate Reality Project India; Member, IUCN Wilderness Specialist Group; Commission Member – IUCN WCPA Climate Change, IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation, IUCN WCPA Indigenous People and Protected Areas Specialist Groups, IUCN WCPA South Asia Region and IUCN WCPA-SSC Invasive Alien Species Task Force; Member, International Antarctic Expedition 2013; Climate Force Arctic 2019 ; Ambassador, Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary. Rituraj Phukan is the Climate Editor, Mahabahu and Convenor, Mahabahu Climate Forum.

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