Environment and Social Sustainability Approaches in Policy and Practice : A Case Study of Symbiosis International University, Pune, India

Environmental issues, development concerns and sustainability have become a major interest area for society as critical issues for economic growth and societal development. The recent Rio 20 summit in 2012 has strengthened the need for building sustainable development as an integral part of educational institutions through integrated learning and use of innovative pedagogical methods including the internationalization of educational systems. The present chapter seeks to focus on sustainability as a core vision and its concepts in policy and practices by implementing a unique standardized curriculum integrating various levels of sustainable development by building curriculum in key disciplines like energy, environment, infrastructure, climate change, global governance and corporate sustainability at the Symbiosis International University. The case study also discusses a preliminary assessment of the sustainability operations of the University through quantification of its energy, water consumption patterns and other initiatives. The study uses pilot student driven projects to describe sustainable development in practice. The study addresses some of the key issues and challenges in building environmental aspects as a part higher education policy and as a sustainable practice across constituent institutions of the University