Toward a Nature Positive University – Updating JYU’s Environmental Programme
The Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities (Unifi)'s updated theses on sustainable development and responsibility highlight that climate and biodiversity crises must be addressed together, as the same drivers often underlie both. They also ban greenwashing and call for stronger, evidence-based reporting. They encourage universities to focus not only on their operational impacts but also on their positive contributions through research, education, and societal impact.
Rather than tying carbon neutrality to a fixed year, universities now emphasize a broader perspective of nature positivity alongside climate action, recognizing that merely reducing emissions is too narrow a response to global ecological challenges. These national-level developments provide important guidance as JYU embarks on updating its own environmental programme. Our aim is to align JYU’s future goals with this evolving understanding of sustainability, strengthening our efforts to become a Nature Positive University that enhances biodiversity, supports thriving ecosystems, and embeds ecological responsibility across all our activities.
Contribute in the environmental programme!
In this seminar, we invite expert input from across the JYU community—researchers, teachers, administrative professionals, students, and all who work with sustainability themes. With your insights, we will examine the current environmental programme and the revised Unifi theses. Together, we will explore what Nature Positive means in the university context, how JYU can strengthen its contributions to planetary well-being, and how current programme goals should be modified.
About the presenter
The conversation is led by Ulla Helimo, Sustainability Specialist in JYU’s Division of Policy and Planning. Ulla coordinates the development and monitoring of JYU’s environmental programme, working closely with academic units, campus services, and leadership to ensure that sustainability is integrated into strategic planning.
Join the event on-site or online
We encourage you to take a moment away from your desk and participate on-site, where coffee and tea will be served and the discussion may continue after the event ends. However, remote participation is also possible. You are warmly welcome to join the event either way!
To join online, use the link below. In addition, use your own name as you join to be let in from the waiting room.
