2021
In order to come up with a solution to fine dust in schools based on scientific and technological evidence, a project was newly initiated to develop school fine dust management technology. Yonsei University College of Medicine as a leader of the project has launched four research groups including regarding basic source, integrated management, diagnosis and improvement, and legal and institutional improvement. Several research focusing on each category was conducted and reported – e.g. Identification of fine dust pollution characteristics in schools by student activities, building characteristics, and external factors. This research project also includes a comprehensive discussion based on the report and ultimately expects to achieve SDG 13. Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
2023
▶ Designating Carbon Neutrality as a Key Cutting-edge Agenda for a Sustainable Future
▶ Strategic alignment between SDGs: Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG7) and Climate Action (SDG13)
Derive a carbon-neutral roadmap based on
▶ Recognizing the need for international cooperation in responding to climate change and the value of environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
University resources and capabilities integrated around
▶Focus on maximum carbon neutral capabilities and implement efforts to achieve them by 2030
☞Press 'More' and refer to the Page 45 of the link (Yonsei University Sustainability Roadmap 2030) for more details.
Yonsei students have been engaging in various activities to reduce ramifications of climate crises, COVID-19, food shortage, inequality, etc.
Following are the notable student-led projects. Please tap the link below to see more details.
▶ A Study on the Solution of Coral Bleaching and Coral Ecosystem Restoration Strategy due to Global Warming (2023~)
This team is planning to produce eco-friendly artificial coral reefs to prevent sea desertification.
▶ Edible insects (Sakondry) awareness promotion project for food security improvement in Madagascar (2022)
The students visited Madagascar and reviewed the possibility of processing edible insects to tackle food shortage issues.
▶ A study on the possibility of reducing disposable cups through multi-use cup circulation in university (2022)
These students installed multi-use cup collection box around the campus to encourage students to use these cups than disposable ones.
▶ Student Volunteer Clubs (Click here to see more details about each club)
Yonsei University students voluntarily organize groups to deeply engage with community and people in need. There are 12 clubs in action, hosting various events in and outside of the campus.
- The name of clubs: 180 Degrees Consulting Yonsei, Life Is Art (L.I.A.), VC (Volunteer Coordinator), YNBLUE, Rhythm of Hope, BonBon, Seium, Aurin DB, Yongreen, YDMC (Yonsei Dream Major Conductor), Euicheong, Yonsei Hope
▶ Student Workstations: SOLVERE (2017~, Click here to see activities posted online)
SOLVERE selects one of 17 SDGs every year and designs projects/campaigns accordingly.
In 2023, SOLVERE focus on SDG no. 3, conducting research on people who once committed suicide and/or those who witnessed the event.
The team interviewed experts in the relevant field, reviewed literatures and institutions on mental health, and held fundraising projects to raise awareness.
☞Press 'More' for further information
Our institution is committed to systematically implementing the calculation, aggregation, and reporting of both direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our universities, all based on the carbon credit trading system.
Through this rigorous approach, we aim to effectively manage our carbon footprint and make significant strides towards achieving sustainable environmental protection and build cornerstones towards the carbon neutrality.
By accurately evaluating and tracking the carbon emissions equivalent to Scope 1 and Scope 2 of the GHG protocol, we are taking concrete steps towards reducing our environmental impact and promoting a greener future. These efforts hold paramount importance as they not only help our universities fulfill their social responsibilities but also play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable university management for the well-being of future generations. Through these initiatives, we aim to lead by example, inspiring others to join the journey towards a more environmentally responsible and sustainable world.
☞Press 'More' for further information
2024
Yonsei University provides courses on environmental sustainability to faculty staff as well as students. These courses are open to everyone, free of charge.
Especially, IGEE Yonsei has been releasing all sessions from Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF) via LearnUs (click, online education platform run by Yonsei University) and the official YouTube Channel. IGEE aims this wide range of discourses to be promoted and circulated within the public, which thus can raise and maintain awareness of sustainability.
* Full videos from GEEF 2024 to be uploaded
IGEE also runs courses dedicated to sustainability and ESG at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels:
▶ Understanding Sustainable Development with BKM (Undergraduate)
▶ Understanding Sustainable Development (Postgraduate)
these courses are open to all students, regardless of majors.
Click more below to view the details on the education achieving environmental sustainability.
Designating Carbon Neutrality as a Key Cutting-Edge Agenda for a Sustainable Future
Strategic Alignment between SDGs: SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)
Yonsei University has driven a carbon-neutral roadmap based on recognizing the need for international cooperation in response to climate change and the value of environmental, social, and governance (ESG).
An institution-level committee (Energy and Greenhouse Gas Management Committee) is being operated to maximize energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emission in the campus. As such, Yonsei has been investing reserouces and capabilities to achieve maximum carbon neutrality by 2030.
▶ Yonsei University's commitment for carbon neutrality: click
Click more at the bottom to view full details of the relevant rules/regulations.
Considering that universities consume signifcant amount of energy, it is crucial for institutions to reduce carbon emissions step-by-step.
[Step 1] Students and faculty staff's participation in activities to minimize carbon emission
[Step 2] Regular reports on carbon emission and desining relevant action plans
▲ cf. Carbon Neutrality by year 2050 in accordance with the National Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Strategy (click, Ministry of Environment of Republic of Korea, April 2023)
Yonsei students have been actively engaging in various activities to achieve sustainability, such as mitigating ramifiactions of climate crises, COVID-19, food shoratage, poverty, inequality, etc.
Following are the oustanding student-led proejcts.
★ Research on Solutions to Coral Bleaching Caused by Global Warming and Coral Ecosystem Restoration Strategies (2023)
This research team aimed to produce eco-friendly artificial coral reefs to restore marine ecosystem.
Click here to view the student presentation video.
★ Research and Application Development to Promote Sustainable Feminine Hygiene Products (2023)
Students focused on potential of multi-use feminine hygiene products which can achieve environmental sustainability and conducted a series of in-depth research on public awareness of these products.
★ Health Counseling for North Korean Women (2023)
Members comprised of students from medical school and nursing department provided health and hygiene counseling, who are deprived of basic healthcare services.
★ Edible Insects (Sakondry) Awareness Promotion Project for Food Security Improvement in Madagascar (2022)
The students visited Madagascar and reviewed the possibility of processing edible insects to tackle food shortage issues.
Click here to view the student research presentation in Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF) 2023.
★ Student Volunteer Clubs
Yonsei students voluntarily organize groups to deeply engage with community and people in need. There are 12 clubs in action, hosting various events in and outside of the campus.
Click here to see more details of each club in the website of Institute for Higher Education Innovation (IHEI) at Yonsei University.
Three teams introduced above
were part of Social Engagement Fund (SEF) organized by Institute for Global Engagement and and Empowerment (IGEE) at Yonsei University. Click more (IGEE website) below to see the details of the research design and outcomes.
Yonsei University is a leading higher edcuation institution, aiming to acehive sustainability. Click more below to view Yonsei's Commitment toward sustainable development.
Following are the key indexes:
[Page 13] Education for SDGs: Commitment to Meaningful Education
Supporting courses and student-led extracurricular activities based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
[Page 15] Education for SDGs in the Wider Community
Online courses focusing on sustainable development, which is open to general public in LearnUs (education platform run by Yonsei University)
[Page 17, 22] Water Reuse Policy and Sustainable Water Extraction on Campus
[Page 25] Employment Appeal Process
Yonsei University firmly opposes all forms of discrimination. All students and faculty staff can report ethical violation cases through Head of Ethical Management.
[Page 33] Promoting Sustainable Commuting
Yonsei University provides free shuttle buses to students and faculty staff.
Carbon Emissions on Campus
The total carbon emissions in Yonsei University (2023) was 44,545 tCO2e.
Please click more at the bottom to check out the detailed information.
Reporting Carbon Emissions (Baseline Year of the Reporting)
Yonsei University has been reporting the amount of carbon emissions since 2021 (click, 39,984 tCO2e) equivalent to Scope 1 and Scope 2 of the GHG protocol and track the status of carbon credits.
Yonsei is dedicated to minimizing carbon emissions by
Promoting Campus-Wide Energy Efficiency
Yonsei University has been operating Energy and Greenhouse Gas Management Committee (에너지 및 온실가스 관리위원회, hereinafter referred to as "Committee") in order to
The Committee members are comprised of Senior Vice President, Vice Presidents, Deans and professors from the relevant fields.
Click here to view the full text of the regulation (Korean, open access).
Renewable Energy Generated on Campus
Yonsei University has been generating energy using solar panels since 2007.
The total amount of renewable energy in 2023 was 897,798kWh.
Gross Internal Area of Yonsei University campus: 675,913m2
Click more to view the detailed information on relevant regulations, gross internal area of Yonsei University and the amount of renewable energy in monthly basis.
Institute for Higher Education Innovation (IHEI) at Yonsei University has assessed its impact on education programs (curricular, extra-curricular) aiming for social innovation. This Report ("Report on Impact Assessment 임팩트 측정 보고서", click) has been published online and everyone can access this resource.
IHEI encourages faculty and students to actively participate in social innovation activities in the following two ways:
Curricular: Social Innovation Competency Courses
IHEI encourages lecturers to design courses that can help students deal with practical issues, and these courses are titled "Social Innovation Competency Courses."
IHEI collects feedback surveys from faculty and students to improve the quality of lectures and promotes outstanding student projects.
Extra-Curricular: Workstations
"Workstation" is a student-led project team that aims to resolve real-world issues based on problems define by student themselves.
IHEI provides feedback on research models, special lectures which can develop problem-solving capabilities, and networking events among fellow students.
IHEI categorizes workstations based on Sustainable Development Goals, helping students to improve awareness on SDGs and suggest guidelines on their activites.
Click more below to view the details on impact assessment and efforts by IHEI to improve quality of education programs.
Center for Global Sustainability is a research organization under the Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE), which focuses on various themes surrounding sustainability.
Visit the respective links (IGEE website) to view the detailed information:
1. Organization of the IGEE (click)
2. Introduction to Center for Global Sustainability (click)
3. Information on SD (Sustainable Development) Fellows (click)
SD Fellows consist of professors/researchers in Yonsei University who
* An annual international conference hosted by Yonsei University with Ban Ki-moon Fondation for a Better Future and Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens.
Click more (page 2) below to check out the information on undergraduate/postgraduate courses on sustainability.