We envision a University of St.Gallen (HSG) where sustainability is deeply embedded in all aspects of our university. In doing so, we actively contribute to solving grand challenges of our times, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. This mission guides our actions in building a future-oriented and responsible university.
Responsibility and Sustainability has a long history at HSG and is integrated into its governance structures. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the sustainability student association oikos, the Institute for Business Ethics (IWE-HSG) and the Institute for Economy and the Environment (IWÖ-HSG) were founded. In 2010, the President’s Delegate for Responsibility & Sustainability role was established, with an official mandate to steer the University’s sustainability activities.
HSG takes a holistic approach on sustainability, considering how economic activity is embedded into society and the limits of the planetary boundaries. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a guiding framework for social and environmental topics relevant to the University. HSG has been a member of UN PRME since 2010 and produces biennial sustainability reports.
The HSG Strategic Plan 2025 deeply integrates sustainability in a broad sense as an overarching area and across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. In doing so, HSG aims to embed sustainability in all its core areas of activity, namely teaching (all degree levels), research, societal engagement, as well as campus & operations. Our overarching goals are:
“Our deep history with sustainability, rooted in student activism, teaching and research, means that we are well-positioned to take a leading role.”
“We understand sustainability holistically and implement it in the best HSG spirit. Our entrepreneurial drive, scientific insights and new technologies offer great potential to contribute to innovative solutions for a sustainable future.”
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our times. As future leaders in business and society, our students will have to navigate a carbon-constrained world. The MaCS programme prepares them to become part of the solution.”
“With respect to its three missions—education, generation of knowledge and dissemination of expertise for a positive impact on society—our strategy builds on the integration of ecological, social and economic thought and action.”
“Following the integrative and systemic approach of the University of St.Gallen, it is our mission to consider sustainability in an interconnected way across all activities at our University - above all, it is key to walk the talk.”
“We are grateful for the energy, enthusiasm, and support for sustainability research and initiatives at HSG - it is truly a unique and inspiring place for early-career scholars.”
“At HSG, we understand sustainability in all its dimensions - environmental, social and economic – as an integral part of our understanding of quality and as a guiding principle across all our core areas.”
Based on both the HSG sustainability strategy and the selection of strategic SDGs, we define three action pathways where we are convinced that HSG can make particularly impactful contributions to sustainable development:
For general enquiries, please contact us via sustainability(at)unisg.ch
President's Delegate for Responsibility and Sustainability
