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Transforming Every University into a Green Engine of the Green Economy

Dear colleagues,

As the global community accelerates the transition toward a circular and green economy, universities have a critical role to play—not only as centers of knowledge, but as active engines of sustainable transformation.

At Green Mentors, we believe that every university can evolve into a “green engine” by embedding sustainability across:

Curriculum (green skills, climate literacy, circular economy thinking)

Campus operations (resource efficiency, zero waste, energy transition)

Research & innovation (solutions for climate, water, biodiversity, and materials)

Student engagement (future-ready, responsible graduates)

Such institutions do not just produce employable graduates—they cultivate responsible leaders for the green economy.

This transformation also aligns closely with circular economy principles:

designing out waste from campus systems

regenerating natural ecosystems

fostering innovation in sustainable production and consumption

However, the key question remains:

How do we systematically transform universities from passive knowledge centers into active drivers of circular and green economies?

We invite members of this community to share your perspectives:

What practical models or frameworks have worked on your campuses?

How can universities better integrate circular economy principles into education and operations?

What barriers do institutions face in becoming “green engines”?

How can global collaboration accelerate this transition?

Your insights can help shape a global movement toward responsible, regenerative higher education systems.

Let us co-create universities that power the future of the green economy.

Global Call to Early Sustainability Leaders in Higher Education

Green Mentors is launching a global initiative to document and honor the journeys of the early pioneers of campus sustainability—those who began advancing environmental stewardship in higher education long before greening education became part of mainstream institutional practice.

As a Greening Education Partner of UNESCO and an organization with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations ECOSOC, we work across 45+ countries and believe these stories are an essential part of the global learning journey toward sustainability.

If you were among the first to:

introduce sustainability practices on your campus

Integrate climate and ecological thinking into higher education

lead institutional change despite limited awareness, policy support, or resources

We warmly invite you to share your journey.

What challenges did you face?

What inspired your leadership?

What actions created lasting institutional change?

Your story can inspire universities, educators, students, and emerging sustainability leaders around the world—and help shape the future of responsible, climate-conscious education.

Join this global knowledge initiative by sharing your story with Green Mentors. Register herehttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdSfqorClR6TmDhPlgHL3Oui3aHcc0nhxxljAvUC-1e09_QA/viewform

🎥 Tune in live and join the conversation as leading experts unpack the challenges, implications, and solutions surrounding a critical issue in pest management.

Don’t miss the next edition of the FARM Knowledge Series, where we explore a topic that could undermine regulatory systems, disrupt legitimate markets, and hinder progress toward safer and more sustainable pest management.

This webinar hosted under under the FARM Knowledge Series brings together national regulators, customs authorities, industry representatives, and international organizations to examine practical experiences in combating illegal and counterfeit pesticides. It will explore enforcement approaches, cross-border cooperation, industry collaboration, and multilateral tools that can strengthen national systems.

Illegal and counterfeit pesticides are a serious problem in many countries. These products may be smuggled, fake, unregistered, or falsely labelled. They often bypass safety checks and quality controls. As a result, they can harm farmers’ health, damage crops, contaminate soil and water, and reduce trust.

This session will address how: 

• National challenges countries face in combating illegal and counterfeit pesticides.

• The role of cross-border cooperation and customs enforcement in reducing illegal trade. 

• How industry and regulators can work together to protect supply chains

• The place of international frameworks in supporting national enforcement efforts.

 • Practical steps to strengthen the monitoring and management of illegal pesticides.