Role of Universities Towards Achieving Climate Change-Related SDGs: Case of Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Institutions of Higher Education, particularly universities contribute immensely to the United Nations landmark 2030 agenda and the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals—the SDGs. Universities are uniquely placed to broken links between different sectors through fostering cross-cutting approaches to achieving the climate change-related sustainable development goals. This chapter documents the extent to which Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) in Zimbabwe contributes towards achieving the climate change-related SDGs (specifically SDG #13) through research, community engagement, and teaching. The chapter relied on desktop reviews of grey literature produced by the university in the form of reports, research records, and the CUT database. The data was interpreted using content analysis. Findings indicate that the university offers modules with components on climate change especially in the School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SAST) as well as School of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (SWEC). The study also found that apart from taught degree programmes, some academics collaborate internally and with external stakeholders towards research activities and community programmes, which contribute towards climate change science, adaptation, mitigation, and resilience in Zimbabwe and Africa. CUT can be used as a model on how universities can translate climate-related research into policy and action through fostering linkages between academics and other stakeholders towards climate smart development initiatives.