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Policy for Sustainable Development for KTH

This steering document has been decided by the University Board (registration number V-2019-0451) in accordance with the Ordinance (2009:907) on environmental management in government agencies. The steering document is valid from 1 July 2019 and was last amended on 21 November 2024 (registration number V-2024-0908). The Property Department within the University Administration is responsible for the review of, and questions regarding, this steering document. Based on our vision for 2024–2028, the sustainability policy aims to establish clear principles to strengthen and further develop KTH's work on sustainability and gender equality. KTH shall be a leading technical university that drives and participates in the transition towards a sustainable, gender-equal, and climate-neutral society.

What does it mean to “promote sustainable development”?

Reading guide for KTH's sustainability policy

This document contains definitions and proposals for interpretations of the concept sustainable development and other similar concepts.

This means that all employees at KTH, through their activities, shall actively work to achieve our university-wide sustainability and climate objectives within education, research, collaboration, and innovation, as well as by reducing the environmental impact of our own operations.

KTH shall therefore

  • Integrate ecological, economic and social sustainability at all levels of strategic and operational activities.

  • Have an identity and brand that is strongly associated with sustainable development.

  • Be characterized by openness, democracy and respect for equality and equal living conditions.

  • Provide education of the highest quality that prepares future professionals with knowledge, commitment, critical thinking and practical tools that will enable them to contribute to a sustainable society.

  • Encourage, educate and create conditions for employees, students, professionals and those who work on behalf of KTH to contribute to sustainable development within and outside the business.

  • Conduct research of the highest quality that contributes sustainable and innovative solutions to societal challenges.

  • Spread and support applications of new technology, methods and approaches and actively participate in the social debate in order to contribute to sustainable development.

  • Collaborate with local, national and international partners who contribute to sustainable development, gender equality and reduced climate impact.

  • Maintain good resource management and take measures in our operations to prevent negative environmental impact and contribute to sustainable development and a climate-neutral society.

  • Constantly develop the internal management system with the aim of improving KTH's environmental and sustainability performance.

  • In accordance with university-wide objectives and action plans, take concrete measures to improve KTH's contribution to sustainable development and a climate-neutral society.

  • Ensure that legal and other binding requirements to which the business is subject are met.

Purpose of the policy

Policy for sustainable development for KTH aims to support and improve the sustainability work conducted at KTH. Like other policies for KTH (policy for ethics, policy for quality, policy for investments of donations, policy for staff and policy for security) this policy will be annually revised. 

Definition of sustainable development

Based on the Brundtland Report (1987), the concept of "sustainable development" is defined as:
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of 'needs', in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.

University Board Decision 2015-02-19. Valid as of February 19, 2015. Revised 16 June 2017. Revised May 2018. Revised 2021. Revised November 2024.