Unesco Iesalc “zero emissions universities LATAM” award highlights transformative campus projects

Unesco Iesalc “zero emissions universities LATAM” award highlights transformative campus projects | Photo: Parsoa Khorsand

Latin American universities are stepping up as sustainability pioneers, with powerful efforts that align closely with SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 11 (sustainable cities), and SDG 13 (climate action). Programmes like the Unesco‑Iesalc “Zero Emissions Universities LATAM” award and Erasmus+ QualEnv are propelling green innovation across 26 institutions in eight countries. These initiatives are showcasing scalable campus projects, driving education in sustainability, and preparing institutions for long‑term climate resilience.

Measurable success: facts, metrics and analytics

·       26 universities participating across eight Latin American nations in the Unesco‑Iesalc competition.

·       Pilot projects cover three key areas—buildings, energy and mobility—with hands‑on demonstrations on campus.

·       Winner universities secure technical mentorship through June 2025, including support to access international funding.

·       Erasmus+ QualEnv led by Iscte (Portugal), alongside partners from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru, has introduced certified environmental management systems (e.g. ISO 14001), collected baseline data on energy, water and waste, and created campus‑wide sustainability committees.

·       Solar Decathlon LATAM+CARIB, held in Cali, Colombia, showcased net‑zero solar homes built by university teams, ntegrating architectural design, engineering performance and occupant comfort metrics.

Initiatives in action

·       Autonomous University of Querétaro (MX) is fundamentally redefining campus design, with projects focused on energy‑efficient buildings and passive design.

·       University of Guanajuato (MX) is investing in solar‑farm installations that generate clean electricity directly for campus use.

·       National University of Río Cuarto (AR) is undergoing an energy transformation, retrofitting existing infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions.

·       Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EC) has delivered the “Green Road” sustainable mobility corridor, fuelled by non‑motorised and low‑emission transport options.

These campuses will receive tailored technical mentoring until mid‑2025, positioning them to secure international investment and develop full‑scale sustainable infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Solar Decathlon offers a living lab for students, with performance monitoring tying into SDG‑aligned campus trails that engage both academic and local communities.

Policy frameworks, scalability and global synergies

Reports from the NewClimate Institute emphasise the necessity of national policy ecosystems that support decarbonisation in higher education, similarly crucial in Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Although programmes like Second Nature’s Race to Zero include Latin American universities, they lack in‑depth regional insight. By contrast, Unesco‑Iesalc and Erasmus+ encourage trans‑national networking and shared metrics, actively bridging gaps between pilot projects and national low‑carbon strategies.

Investigative angles and future focus

1.     Gap analysis: Are eco‑campus projects isolated or embedded within systemic national plans?

2.     Equity lens: Do initiatives benefit only flagship universities, or are public, rural and under‑resourced institutions included?

3.     Measured impact: What are the verified reductions in CO₂, water use and waste?

4.     Longevity risk: Can sustainability gains be maintained once technical support ends in 2025?

5.     Policy integration: How are universities leveraging pilot credentials to influence national policy and climate finance?

Latin America’s universities are not merely talking about sustainability, they are actively redesigning curriculum, campus operations and infrastructure in line with SDGs. The Unesco‑Iesalc award, Erasmus+ QualEnv, and the Solar Decathlon are providing replicable blueprints backed by metrics, policy alignment, and student engagement. Their success will hinge on long‑term funding, equitable participation, and continued institutional advocacy for low‑carbon development. As June 2025 approaches, these initiatives are entering a critical phase: will they scale beyond the pilot stage into region‑wide systems change?

For further reading and to explore global collaborations:

·       Unesco‑Iesalc Zero Emissions Universities LATAM award: iesalc.unesco.org

·       Erasmus+ QualEnv project overview: iscte‑iul.pt

·       Solar Decathlon LATAM+CARIB: unep.org

·       NewClimate Institute reports: newclimate.org