The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 outline the global intention to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people can live in peace and prosperity by 2030. The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for all developed and developing countries to enter into global partnerships and work together, recognizing that ending poverty and other deprivations cannot be done in isolation, but requires global action. These actions must go hand in hand with strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality and increase prosperity - all while combating climate change and preserving our oceans, forests and biodiversity. So the 17 SDGs are really integrated, recognizing that action in one area will influence outcomes in others and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Sustainability science encompasses a wide range of high quality, transdisciplinary research and education opportunities that will make a vital contribution to regional, national and global sustainability. Sustainability transformation processes are becoming a key aspect in the collaboration of the two universities.

(Planned) activities

• Establish a Graduate School of Information and Communication Technology with a focus on sustainability as an excellence-oriented, engagement-driven platform for integrated research on SDG-related topics such as corporate sustainability, sustainable energy, ICT for sustainability as a key factor and cross-cutting topic
• Expand student exchange in sustainability-related degree programs with a fixed exchange window, one or more summer schools, possibly a double-degree programme
• Share experiences and design joint projects, e.g. to significantly reduce carbon emissions or offset residual emissions
• Exchange ideas and experiences on structural developments and organizational development in relation to sustainability and climate protection
• Develop and bundle initiatives into an application to the DFG/NRF for an international research training group