NU's contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Vision: To be a leading institution in promoting sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, contributing to the well-being of society and the environment.
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University (NU) demonstrates its commitment to SDG 12 through a broad array of programs that promote sustainability, reduce waste, support research, and raise awareness among students, staff, and the wider community.
- Reforming Construction Waste Management for Circular Economy in Kazakhstan: A cost–benefit analysis of upgrading construction and demolition waste recycling centres (Karaca & Tleuken, 2024).
NU researchers contribute to SDG 12 through advanced studies that support sustainable practices, waste reduction, and circular economy models:
Teaching and Student Life
Community Impact
Research and Innovation
Environmental Training Program for Nazarbayev University Staff: A program designed to educate staff on sustainable lifestyles and environmentally responsible practices, promoting sustainable habits within the university community.
These events extend NU's influence beyond its own campus by involving students and faculty from other Kazakhstani universities, fostering a broader culture of sustainability.
- Sustainability Week: A campus-wide celebration of sustainable living practices.
- SLL Education Program: Integrates sustainability principles into education and professional development.
- Climate Week: Organized annually since 2021, Climate Week engages students through lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions on climate change and sustainability. Activities include environmental impact assessments, clean-up campaigns, and expert discussions, fostering student activism and climate awareness.
- LCOY Kazakhstan (Local Conference of Youth): As part of the global YOUNGO network, LCOY Kazakhstan convenes youth leaders, researchers, and policy advocates to discuss national climate challenges and develop actionable youth climate statements. This conference amplifies youth voices and feeds into the global climate agenda at COP.
These events extend NU's influence beyond its own campus by involving students and faculty from other Kazakhstani universities, fostering a broader culture of sustainability.
Garden Composter for NU Residents: This project aims to encourage the composting of food waste among students and staff, reducing landfill use and supporting local organic farming practices.
LikeKomek Clothing Donation Boxes: These boxes offer an accessible way to donate clothing, promoting reuse, reducing textile waste, and supporting those in need.
Garage Sale: Organized by the Children's Development Foundation (CDF) to raise funds for vulnerable children through the resale of donated clothes, toys, and books.
Since 2020, at the initiative of the Office of Sustainable Development, the campaign "My cup, please!" has been actively held in the main cafeterias of the Nazarbayev University campus. This campaign encourages students, faculty, and staff to bring their own reusable cups or mugs when purchasing beverages, rewarding them with a 10% discount on their drink. The initiative was launched as part of the university's broader efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices.
The primary goal of "My Cup Please!" is to significantly decrease the consumption of single-use disposable cups, which contribute to environmental pollution and deplete valuable natural resources. By incentivizing the use of reusable containers, the campaign not only helps to minimize the university’s ecological footprint but also raises awareness about the importance of sustainable habits among the campus community.
Darmarka Free Market: An innovative event where students and staff donate unused items for reuse or recycling. Accepted items include clothing, electronics, kitchenware, books, and recyclables such as batteries, cans, cardboard, and used oil. This initiative fosters environmental awareness and waste reduction by encouraging mindful consumption.
LikeKomek Clothing Donation Boxes: These boxes offer an accessible way to donate clothing, promoting reuse, reducing textile waste, and supporting those in need.
Garage Sale: Organized by the Children's Development Foundation (CDF) to raise funds for vulnerable children through the resale of donated clothes, toys, and books.
Since 2020, at the initiative of the Office of Sustainable Development, the campaign "My cup, please!" has been actively held in the main cafeterias of the Nazarbayev University campus. This campaign encourages students, faculty, and staff to bring their own reusable cups or mugs when purchasing beverages, rewarding them with a 10% discount on their drink. The initiative was launched as part of the university's broader efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices.
The primary goal of "My Cup Please!" is to significantly decrease the consumption of single-use disposable cups, which contribute to environmental pollution and deplete valuable natural resources. By incentivizing the use of reusable containers, the campaign not only helps to minimize the university’s ecological footprint but also raises awareness about the importance of sustainable habits among the campus community.
Darmarka Free Market: An innovative event where students and staff donate unused items for reuse or recycling. Accepted items include clothing, electronics, kitchenware, books, and recyclables such as batteries, cans, cardboard, and used oil. This initiative fosters environmental awareness and waste reduction by encouraging mindful consumption.
Administration and Operations
Recycling and Waste Sorting: NU has implemented a campus-wide system for separating and recycling waste. Special containers are installed across the campus to facilitate easy sorting of paper, plastic, glass, and metal.
Production and Consumption Waste Handling Rules: The Office of Sustainable Development developed official guidelines for waste management that align with Kazakhstani legislation. These rules aim to minimize environmental and health impacts, ensure compliance, and improve waste tracking on campus.
Samsung Recycling Ecobox Partnership: In collaboration with Samsung, NU installed collection bins for electronic waste at the Library. Students and staff can recycle small electronics, including phones, batteries, chargers, and other devices, fostering responsible e-waste management among youth.
Production and Consumption Waste Handling Rules: The Office of Sustainable Development developed official guidelines for waste management that align with Kazakhstani legislation. These rules aim to minimize environmental and health impacts, ensure compliance, and improve waste tracking on campus.
Samsung Recycling Ecobox Partnership: In collaboration with Samsung, NU installed collection bins for electronic waste at the Library. Students and staff can recycle small electronics, including phones, batteries, chargers, and other devices, fostering responsible e-waste management among youth.
- Exploring Stakeholders’ Opinions on Circular Economy in the Construction Sector: A natural language processing analysis of social media discourse (Tleuken et al., 2024).
- Circular Shifts: Insights into Kazakhstan’s Circular Business Ecosystem: Research exploring the dynamics of circular economy businesses in Kazakhstan (Zhaksybayeva et al., 2024).
- Environmental Impact of Microplastic Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Plants: A life cycle assessment of microplastics and their effect on ecosystems (Alibekov et al., 2024).
- Investigation of Sewage Sludge–Derived Biochar for Enhanced Pollutant Adsorption: Examining the use of waste-derived materials for pollution reduction (Agoe et al., 2024).
- Upcycling Biomass Waste into Luminescent Carbon Dots: Innovative reuse of biomass waste for material science applications (Abdulla et al., 2024).
- Circular Material Usage Strategies and Principles in Buildings: A comprehensive review advocating for strong regulatory frameworks and international cooperation in sustainable construction (Santos et al., 2024).
- Stakeholder Perspectives on the Costs and Benefits of Circular Construction: Multi-national collaboration examining cost savings, energy efficiency, and industry challenges (Karaca et al., 2024).
- Combustion Behavior of Solid Waste Fuels in the Vertical Tube Reactor under Different Oxy-Fuel Environments: Research into alternative fuel use and emissions control (Mukhambet et al., 2024).
In addition, the Sustainability Living Lab (SLL) program fosters innovation-driven research led by students and faculty aimed at promoting sustainable consumption:
- Smart Geopolymer Concrete: This project investigates the use of industrial waste and plastic in geopolymer concrete for producing paving slabs and urban furniture, reducing cement usage and reusing plastic waste.
- Waste Management of 3D Printed Parts: A student-led study examining recycling techniques for defective or surplus 3D-printed items to minimize lab waste and promote material circularity in educational prototyping.
- Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil: A practical project that develops low-cost biodiesel from waste vegetable oils, showcasing renewable energy solutions and circular waste use in campus kitchens.
These studies contribute to the development of sustainable technologies and solutions across sectors, supporting Kazakhstan’s transition toward more responsible consumption and production systems.
- Investigation of Co-Extrusion and Additive Manufacturing Using Recyclable Materials: Studies contributing to efficient material reuse in industrial applications (Sharipkhan et al., 2024; Kalilayeva et al., 2024).
By embedding sustainability into campus culture, research, and operations, Nazarbayev University leads by example in advancing SDG 12, inspiring responsible consumption and environmental stewardship in Kazakhstan and beyond.