UN Sustainable Dev Goals

Michigan State University advances global sustainability through engagement with partners globally, nationally, and regionally to advance solutions to meet the challenges identified by the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MSU develops, demonstrates, and promotes best practices through innovative partnerships. Members are engaged in convening and fostering cross-sector and multidisciplinary dialogue, publishing data, serving as subject matter experts, and advocating for smart policies for advancing solutions.

MSU engages in multiple partnerships at the global, national, and state levels in policy development related to the SDGs. MSU involvement includes innovative approaches to achieving global sustainable development, identifying new ways to tackle the unexpected and unintended consequences of applying solutions to the SDGs, and nexus thinking that can help improve policy, management and governance and cross-sectional input.

The University Global Coalition is a collaborative platform of globally engaged universities and higher education associations working in partnership with the UN and other stakeholders to create a more sustainable future for all. MSU is a signatory of the UGC's commitments.

The overall goal of the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA) 2030 is to enhance the capacity of its partners to contribute to Agenda 2030 and the SDGs through international collaboration. The network is funded by STINT 2021-2023. Partners work in collaboration in the implementation of the U.N. SDGs and how it impacts the work within the GCUA 2030. MSU is a founding member.

In 2018, MSU became a signatory of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment brought together by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Plastic Pact. In addition to contributing through research, the university supports the promotion of efforts to find alternatives to the plastics economy. Read the latest New Plastics Economy Global Commitment progress report.

In April 2017, MSU signed "We Are Still In," pledging to continue to work toward achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Accord. In 2021, to mark the United States' return to the Paris Agreement, MSU became a part of "America is All In", which seeks to activate a whole-of-society mobilization to drive the transformational climate action that science demands.

In November 2015, MSU signed the White House's American Campuses Act on Climate pledge. More than 300 colleges and universities signed the pledge to support global action at the United Nations COP21 climate negotiations.

Founded in 2018, Michigan State University’s Science Galleryworks with young adults to ignite creativity and discovery at the intersections of science, technology, art, and design. Science Gallery is our nation’s first member of the prestigious, international Science Gallery Network. The university-linked Science Gallery Network consists of eight locations worldwide: Dublin, London, Bengaluru, Melbourne, Rotterdam, Detroit, Atlanta, and Berlin.

MSU scientists suggested new ways to tackle unexpected or unintended consequences cropping up on the way to the U.N. SDGs at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting. MSU offers Nexus approaches to global sustainable development. Nexus thinking can help improve policy, management, and governance to ensure environmental resources or cross-sectoral input.

The mission of the World Economic Forum is entrepreneurship in the global public interest. MSU research is frequently highlighted on the World Economic Forum's website. In addition, MSU Extension's Michigan 4-H program has highlighted the World Economic Forum as part of their youth development and career preparation programming.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) annually hosts the World Investment Forum, a global platform for investment and development. MSU researchers have been featured speakers, including during the 2018 global forum: Investing in Sustainable Development.

The U.S. Composting Council (USCC) advances compost manufacturing, compost utilization, and organics recycling to benefit their members, society, and the environment. MSU is a member of the U.S. Composting Council, and MSU researchers have been featured in USCC programs.

The Compost Research and Education Foundation supports scientific research, increases awareness, and educates practitioners and the public to advance environmentally and economically sustianable organics recycling. MSU was a key partner of the Compost Operations Training Course, which featured presentations and tours of the MSU's Materials Recovery Facility and Anaerobic Digester.

The Chicago Climate Exchange, also known as CCX, was the world’s first, greenhouse gas emission registry, reduction and trading system. MSU joined the CCX in 2006.