Nature Positive Universities: A Global Showcase of Campus Action for Nature

In an exciting collaboration, the University of Oxford and Ajman University have partnered to highlight the global Nature Positive Universities (NPU) movement at COP28. This initiative, showcased at the Youth Hub in the Green Zone of Expo City Dubai, brings together representatives from leading universities to demonstrate their commitment to biodiversity conservation and restoration.

A key focus of the NPU initiative is how universities are addressing their biodiversity impacts. Institutions like Ajman University and the University of Oxford are pioneering biodiversity metrics and setting ambitious nature-positive targets. These efforts aim to reduce their ecological footprints and set an example for academic institutions worldwide, showcasing the critical role universities play in driving sustainability at both institutional and community levels.

Central to the movement is the empowerment of students and staff. Universities such as Ajman University and IIT Bombay are engaging their communities in voluntary nature conservation efforts through training programs. These initiatives equip students with the skills to contribute directly to nature restoration projects, fostering a strong sustainability culture on campuses.

Global partnerships are another key component of the NPU vision. By building equitable collaborations between universities in the Global North and South, the movement promotes a united effort toward nature-positive goals. These partnerships enable institutions to share best practices and set public examples by transparently addressing their environmental impacts.

Guided by the "4Rs" framework—Refrain, Reduce, Restore, and Renew—the Nature Positive Universities movement is playing a crucial role in advancing global biodiversity goals. The event at COP28 underscores the essential contribution universities can make in shaping a sustainable future, empowering the next generation to take action for nature and biodiversity.