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 15: Life On Land
Safeguard and restore terrestrial ecosystems, promote sustainable land use, manage forests responsibly, combat desertification, reverse land degradation, and preserve biodiversity.
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University (NU) is committed to achieving SDG 15 through ecological restoration, research, green infrastructure, and community engagement. The university aims to create a model of sustainable land use and conservation within its campus and beyond.
Administration and Operations
NU Climate Action Plan: Aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
NU Astana Park: A major future initiative focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with the university. NU Astana Park will advocate for ecological balance and the responsible management of natural resources, emphasizing the importance of preserving local flora and fauna. The park will serve as a model for sustainable land use and conservation practices, fostering a greater understanding of environmental stewardship and the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems.
NU Astana Park: A major future initiative focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with the university. NU Astana Park will advocate for ecological balance and the responsible management of natural resources, emphasizing the importance of preserving local flora and fauna. The park will serve as a model for sustainable land use and conservation practices, fostering a greater understanding of environmental stewardship and the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems.
Community Impact
Research and Innovation
Teaching and Student Life
Current Initiatives
Landscaping Projects (2021–2024)
In 2021 in collaboration with a professor from the Department of Botany at the Buketov Karaganda University, developed a design project for landscaping the Atrium of Nazarbayev University. The project included the planting of flowering plants and palm species, as well as recommendations for soil stabilization on the slopes of the staircase. Additionally, recommendations were provided for soil preparation in the Atrium flowerbeds according to the requirements of the selected plant species, as well as defining the technical specifications for the plants to be purchased.
In 2023-2024 in collaboration with a professor from the Department of Botany at Buketov Karaganda University and Nazarbayev University student, developed a design project for the reconstruction of green spaces in front of the entrance to Nazarbayev University. This project aims to:
1) Create aesthetic appeal by using a variety of tree species with different crown shapes, bark types, and other characteristics to provide year-round decorativeness to the area;
2) Form a softer microclimate on campus to mitigate the effects of heat, cold, and wind;
3) Create a sustainable "biome";
4) Serve as a platform for various research, including the study of plant diseases and pests, adaptation to the climate of Astana, and its impact on local fauna.
In 2021 in collaboration with a professor from the Department of Botany at the Buketov Karaganda University, developed a design project for landscaping the Atrium of Nazarbayev University. The project included the planting of flowering plants and palm species, as well as recommendations for soil stabilization on the slopes of the staircase. Additionally, recommendations were provided for soil preparation in the Atrium flowerbeds according to the requirements of the selected plant species, as well as defining the technical specifications for the plants to be purchased.
In 2023-2024 in collaboration with a professor from the Department of Botany at Buketov Karaganda University and Nazarbayev University student, developed a design project for the reconstruction of green spaces in front of the entrance to Nazarbayev University. This project aims to:
1) Create aesthetic appeal by using a variety of tree species with different crown shapes, bark types, and other characteristics to provide year-round decorativeness to the area;
2) Form a softer microclimate on campus to mitigate the effects of heat, cold, and wind;
3) Create a sustainable "biome";
4) Serve as a platform for various research, including the study of plant diseases and pests, adaptation to the climate of Astana, and its impact on local fauna.
Electronic Waste Collection: In partnership with Samsung, NU installed "Samsung Recycling Ecobox" bins for collecting electronic waste. The goal is to promote the separate collection and recycling of electronic waste among young people. Students and staff can drop off old small electronic devices of any brand, including phones, tablets, and accessories (chargers, headphones, watches, batteries, etc.), as well as other small electronic equipment.
Recycling and Waste Sorting: The university’s waste management system that ensures recycling and waste sorting, promoting sustainability and responsible waste management practices on campus.
The Office of Sustainable Development has developed the Rules for Handling Production and Consumption Waste at the Nazarbayev University. The document is available on the university's repository website. According to the Rules, the main goals are to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment and the health of personnel; ensure compliance with the Republic of Kazakhstan's legislation on waste management; and ensure complete and accurate accounting of waste and its volumes. Additionally, for the convenience of students and staff, waste separation containers have been installed throughout the campus.
The Office of Sustainable Development has developed the Rules for Handling Production and Consumption Waste at the Nazarbayev University. The document is available on the university's repository website. According to the Rules, the main goals are to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment and the health of personnel; ensure compliance with the Republic of Kazakhstan's legislation on waste management; and ensure complete and accurate accounting of waste and its volumes. Additionally, for the convenience of students and staff, waste separation containers have been installed throughout the campus.
NU researchers actively contribute to the understanding and protection of terrestrial ecosystems through peer-reviewed studies and fieldwork. Highlights include:
- Climate Adaptation in Mountain Regions: A systematic review of climate adaptation strategies in Central Asia’s highland ecosystems (Saidaliyeva et al., 2024).
- Peatland Monitoring: NU participated in a global effort to map and assess peatland conditions, critical for carbon storage and biodiversity conservation (Minasny et al., 2024).
- Urban Wetland Dynamics: Spatiotemporal analysis of the Taldykol Lake system in Astana to inform sustainable land and water planning (Baigaliyeva et al., 2024).
- Tectonic Risk and Land Use in Almaty: Studies on urban surface deformation and its implications for safe urban development in Kazakhstan’s seismically active zones (Bayramov et al., 2024).
- Uranium-Bearing Strata Studies: Analysis of Palaeocene–Eocene formations in southern Kazakhstan contributes to understanding land use impacts of mineral extraction (Dillinger et al., 2024).
- Critical Zone Processes in Endorheic Basins: Editorial contributions and research on the impact of climate change on soils, water systems, and vegetation in closed drainage basins (Yapiyev et al., 2024).
- Oil Spill Vulnerability in the Caspian Region: Studies analyzing socio-economic and ecological vulnerabilities linked to oil spill risks and land degradation in coastal zones (Neafie et al., 2024).
- Remote Sensing for Land Use Monitoring: Use of satellite data to assess urban surface deformation and implications for land planning in tectonically sensitive areas (Bayramov et al., 2024).
Nazarbayev University offers a variety of interdisciplinary courses that directly contribute to the understanding and implementation of SDG 15 principles. These include:
- "Environmental Science" – explores ecological systems, conservation biology, and the human impact on terrestrial ecosystems.
- "Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services" – focuses on the importance of biological diversity, conservation strategies, and sustainable resource management.
- "Plant Biology and Botany" – provides foundational knowledge in plant physiology, taxonomy, and the role of flora in ecosystem functioning and restoration.
These courses are available across multiple academic schools and programs, including the School of Sciences and Humanities and the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, ensuring that students from diverse disciplines are equipped with the tools to protect and restore life on land.
- "Sustainable Land Use and Natural Resource Management" – teaches students how to balance ecological preservation with human development.
- "Climate Change and Environmental Policy" – addresses the intersection of terrestrial ecosystems with global environmental governance and climate mitigation strategies.
Planned Initiatives
Green Campus: Approximately 120 hectares of the NU campus are landscaped, including over 6,500 planted trees and shrubs. This effort improves air quality, supports soil health, and creates habitat corridors for birds and small animals.
Tree-Planting Campaigns: Annual planting events organized by the Office of Sustainable Development and the University Student Movement (USM) enhance biodiversity and instill a sense of environmental stewardship. These initiatives are aimed at greening the campus, improving the local ecosystem, and fostering a sense of environmental responsibility among students and staff.
Student Biodiversity Projects: Student-led surveys and conservation activities monitor local species, contribute to green campus planning, and promote citizen science.
Nazarbayev University’s actions under SDG 15 reflect a long-term vision for ecological integrity, community participation, and sustainability-driven research.