Global Goals
Guiding Commitments Worldwide
"The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries—developed and developing—in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests." - United Nations
The Sustainable Development Goals offer an ambitious global roadmap for addressing the grand challenges of our time. At the University of Maryland, the SDGs have been widely adopted in several colleges since they provide a clear framework in guiding teaching, research, and service efforts that advance sustainability across disciplines and connect local actions to global impact. By recognizing a connection between its mission and the SDGs, UMD empowers its community to contribute to a more just and sustainable world.
How These Goals Guide University Action
Faculty and staff integrate the SDGs into lesson plans, research, and publications, helping students link coursework to real-world applications. Programs like U21 Global Citizens and Education Abroad give students opportunities to engage with sustainability and development issues internationally, gaining firsthand experience in addressing global challenges.
Similarly, the university’s Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) is a research hub that provides a direct connection to the global sustainability landscape. CGS works toward ambitious climate and energy goals, partnering with governments and businesses worldwide and participating in global climate negotiations like the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP).
