In an era defined by the climate crisis and environmental challenges, institutions that prioritize sustainability and take meaningful action stand out as agents of change. Aga Khan University (AKU) is one such institution that has emerged as a leader in environmental sustainability by taking policy decisions that allow stakeholders to be engaged in environmental action and by showcasing that sustainability actions are in fact good business decisions.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day #BeatPlasticPollution, reminds us to address one of the most pervasive environmental challenges the planet is facing. We think ‘out of sight, out of mind’, giving little thought to its production or where it goes.
We hardly notice that most plastics only provide a utility of just a few short minutes.Plastic is still the default option involved in nearly any action we take at individual or institutional levels. At what cost? Plastics have now been found in the deepest depths of the ocean and on the highest mountain top, cumulating in ecosystems and food chains.
They have been found in human tissues and even breast milk, with yet unknown impacts on health. Every single plastic ever produced is still on the planet, leaving future generations to bear the burden.Some of the poorest countries in the world have successfully implemented complete bans on single-use plastic bags – for a decade or more! However, even when policy action and enforcement are missing, actions can be taken at individual and institutional levels at any time, thereby showcasing what can be done, empowering others, and very often saving valuable resources.As part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) – a network of development agencies founded by His Highness the Aga Khan to improve the quality of life mainly in Asia and Africa – The Aga Khan University (AKU) is fully committed to reducing its environmental impact and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Since 2021, the University has launched several campaigns and initiatives to phase down single-use plastic water bottles from all its campuses worldwide, while also working to reduce its procurement and use of other types of single-use plastic. For example, its main campus in Karachi, serving over 15,000 meals a day, has transitioned from plastic cutlery and packaging to environment friendly alternatives for the take away food option.
This has also led to a common understanding amongst students, teaching, and non-teaching staff regarding steps they can take to reduce plastic pollution.AKU is designing and delivering innovations for the system transformations that Pakistan needs to address the climate crisis. Taking sustainability up a notch, the University has also strategized the cost-effectiveness and time-effectiveness of these measures geared towards achieving a net-zero carbon emissions target, including buildings, energy, practices and curricula;For some measures, such as reducing single use items, the cost savings as immediate, while on average the pay-back period is under four years. This is transformative as we now know that investments are temporary while benefits for the environment and for quality of life accrue immediately. Pakistan can learn valuable lessons from such initiatives that redesign systems for innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. It is crucial to take this to the next level and foster development that is truly sustainable for people and in the long term will be collaboration between academia, civil society, and government institutions.
Pakistan stands at a critical juncture, where today’s collective responses to #BeatPlasticPollution and to climate change will shape the future – and indeed the survival – of generations to come. Miriam Kugele leads the environment and sustainability programming at the Aga Khan University.
