SDG 15 (Life on Land) Progress
Al-Quds University demonstrates a continued strong commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land by advancing practices that protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of land ecosystems. The integration of education, research, collaboration, community engagement, advocacy, and sustainable practices on the campus provides a multi-faceted approach to promoting environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation.
Educational Initiatives:
The university provides extensive training within environmental sciences, biology, and sustainable development, which are critical for students in addressing the needs of the various land ecosystems. The training focuses on the strategic areas of biodiversity on land, sustainable land use, and restoration of ecologically viable areas. This focus will ensure that graduates are able to sharpen their efforts on the various fronts of environmental conservation, sustainable development, and land ecosystems.
Research and Innovation:
Al-Quds University provides advanced research on land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and ecosystems restoration that focuses on solving critical challenges will have significant impact on the region and beyond. Subjects including soil health, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and habitat rehabilitation create a rich reservoir of innovative ideas that support evidence-based conservation. The strengthened academic efforts provided by this research spearhead efforts to protect valuable natural resources within targeted local and regional areas.
Collaborative Partnerships:
Given the importance of joint action in dealing with environmental sustainability, Al-Quds University has worked with governmental bodies, NGOs, and international organizations in dealing with the challenges of terrestrial conservation. Through collaborative projects, the university’s capacity-building workshops, and the technical and value exchanges, the university has supported the crafting and actioning of measurable and scalable ecosystem management practices.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building:
Part of the university’s mission is also to promote and empower community and local environmental education and awareness. Through outreach programs, community members and farmers are taught about biodiversity and the use and value of sustainable land practices, the importance of reforestation, and the active involvement of land conservation practices, which are taught through various community programs. This has effectively promoted community ownership of the environmentally oriented programs and the associated climate resilience change.
Policy Advocacy:
Environmental policy advocacy and land use advocacy for sustainability has placed Al-Quds University at the forefront of civil advocacy. Research and other outreach actions have placed the university in the civic discussions for policy change and advocacy at the international, national, and local levels, which have established actionable targets for land sustainable management and conservation of natural resources.
Sustainable Campus Practices
SDG 15 is evident in the university’s everyday activities, which include the use of green infrastructure, energy and water-efficient systems, waste minimization, environmentally friendly landscaping, and other campus sustainability activities. This not only reduces the university’s ecological footprint but also positively exhibits environmental accountability and responsibility to the surrounding community and other organizations.
Encouraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
Al-Quds University fosters entrepreneurship and innovation within the framework of research environmental conservation. The university centers the advent of technologies and the development of ecosystem preservation while also promoting sustainable land management. This is achieved through the development of research and the provision of mentorship and innovation centers.
These comprehensive initiatives further establish Al-Quds University as a leader for advancing SDG 15: Life on Land. This goal works to protect and restore the biodiversity of life on land while sustainably managing the natural resources for current and future generations.
Al-Quds University aims to protect, restore, and sustainably use terrestrial ecosystems; sustainably manage forests; combat desertification; and halt and reverse land degradation while also attempting to stop and reverse the loss of biodiversity.
The foundation for life on the planet is a flourishing life on land. We are all part of the planet’s ecosystem, and through land degradation, loss of natural habitats, and deforestation, we have caused severe damage. Preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of our ecosystems is not a lost cause; it is the key to our survival.
Al-Quds University is interested in protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, and halting, and reversing land degradation and loss of biodiversity. Through various means, the university contributes to SDG 15 differently:
Education in Environmental Sciences, Biology, and Sustainable Development: At the undergraduate and graduate levels, Al-Quds University provides environmental sciences, biology, and sustainable development programs. This allows students to acquire the fundamentals to understand and tackle terrestrial ecosystem consolidation and sustainability issues. Key subjects in these fields include biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and habitat restoration. This knowledge prepares students for employment in a wide range of fields.
Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems and Conservation: The university engages in research on land ecosystems and conservation, which includes biodiversity, habitat restoration, land degradation, and sustainable land management. This research is essential to developing a comprehensive understanding of land ecosystems and their conservation, thereby informing the development of evidence-based policies and strategies.
Collaboration with Local and Global Stakeholders: Collaboration with Al-Quds University extends to ecosystem conservation and sustainability. Through collaborative research, workshops, and knowledge exchange, the university extends technical support to enable stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for ecosystem conservation and sustainability.
Outreach and Capacity Building: Al-Quds University participated in community outreach initiatives designed to promote education about the conservation and sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems. These initiatives focus on training community members in the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable land management, and the restoration of habitats. This training seeks to empower communities to actively safeguarding and sustainably using terrestrial ecosystems.
Policy Advocacy and Development: Al-Quds University advocates for actionable policies and strategies for terrestrial ecosystems conservation and sustainability at the community, national, and international levels.
Sustainable Development on Campus: The University will implement practices that promote the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems, including the sustainable management of wastes, conservation of water and energy, and the development of green infrastructures. These initiatives promote the campus community’s awareness about the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems and encourage students, staff, and faculty to lead sustainable living.
Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Ecosystem Conservation: The university promotes innovative technologies, products, and radical services and their subsequent commercialization, all toward conserving terrestrial ecosystems and managing land sustainably. The university also fosters a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in ecosystem conservation by supporting researchers, entrepreneurs, and start-ups in access to incubators, accelerators, and funding to help provide a positive workplace ecosystem.
Some university targets and contributions in this context include:
• The university disseminates a large volume of research and studies on natural resource development, optimal resource utilization, and vital systems and life on earth.
• The campus ecosystem includes planted vegetation and forested areas to improve vegetation cover in Palestine.
• Credit hour programs with specializations in university faculties related to vital systems and life on Earth.
• Maintain the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial inland freshwater ecosystems and their services within the university’s community.
• Combat desertification, restore degraded lands and soils both on the university campus and on any lands in its dominion.
• Conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems. Mobilize and increase financial resources to this end from all sources in the university.
In summary, Al-Quds University is committed to pursuing SDG 15 through an integrated model of teaching, researching, partnering with local and international actors, outreach and community empowerment, advocacy and policy-making, sustainable practices on the university grounds, and innovative, entrepreneurial approaches to the preservation of ecosystems.