On the greening of a colombian university and its commitment to education for sustainable development

Abstract

Politécnico Grancolombiano is a Colombian institution of higher education with over 30 years of existence and more than 16,000 students. The article presents Politecnico Grancolombiano’s experience in its path toward becoming a sustainable university. It details the Campus restoration for recovering its surrounding ecosystem, migrating from a deteriorated eucalyptus monoculture to the planting of 60 native species from more than 40 botanical families, thus enhancing biodiversity and landscape beautification. It also describes the adoption of an environmental management system, according to ISO 14001, set in four main programs. To date the results are promising. The campus recovery process prognoses a successful example of restoration of the eastern hills of Bogota. Progresses in water and energy savings are equally remarkable, as are improvements in waste management, particularly hazardous waste. All university programs have cross-cutting environmental and ethics education. A key component has been the permanent support from the university community, particularly from the Chancellor and other institutional heads.

Documento de investigación; Politécnico Grancolombiano, 2014