On April 22, 2020, Times Higher Education published the first THE University Impact Rankings 2020. It assesses universities across the world against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for their social and economic impact. The second edition includes 766 universities from 85 countries.

The ranking is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Khazar University is the only University in Azerbaijan highly assessed in almost all categories. It ranked 101-200 in SDG 1; 201+ in SDGs 14 and 15; 201-300 in SDGs 7, 10 and 13; 301+ in SDGs 6 and 12; 301-400 in SDGs 4, 8, 11 and 16; 401+ in SDGs 5 and 9; 401-600 in SDG 3 and 601+ in SDG 17.

Inclusion of Khazar University in this ranking is in itself a great achievement for both University and Azerbaijani higher education system, demonstrating University’s commitment not just to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals through teaching, research and knowledge transfer, but also to incorporating the goals in Khazar University’s internal practices, policies and procedures.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of goals that aim to support all countries in achieving economic, social and environmentally sustainable development. They were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, declaring a global recognition of the need for partnership in creating a better world. 

Currently, Khazar University, one of the leading universities in Azerbaijan, is pursuing a consistent and purposeful environmental policy on its campuses. 

The university has set a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. No matter how ambitious this goal is, it partially coincides with the voluntary commitments taken by Azerbaijan in the Paris agreements.

Khazar University, one of the leading universities in Azerbaijan, is pursuing a consistent and purposeful environmental policy on its campuses.  

The current environmental policy of the university is based on the following areas: 

• Reduce all possible use of traditional energy resources on university campuses. 
• Consistent implementation of adoption and mitigation measures related to climate change 
• Consistent use of all possible technologies and resources to reduce the carbon footprint of the university. 
• Consistent use of all possible technologies and resources to reduce the water footprint of the university 
• Increasing the knowledge and skills of students and teaching staff on sustainability, climate change and the environment
• Increasing teaching materials, courses and programs related to the environment, climate change, and zero emissions in the university curriculum

Key Actions

Action 1: Reduce of Khazar University’s carbon emissions to 50% by the year 2050

1. Supporting the country's Law on energy resources utilization, to minimize on campus and off campus energy use. 
2. The organization of university transport vehicles are made entirely of electric cars (2030).
3. Planting at least 10000 trees every year on and off university campuses
4. Gradually increasing the use of solar cells in many buildings of the University (2030-2050)
5. Adopt building energy use standards to National Standards (2035)
6. Increase effectiveness of campus heating systems and reduce natural gas use (2025) 
7. Reduce electricity consumption through implementation of energy efficient lighting and computers (2025) 
8. Maintain and continuously improve sustainable transportation opportunities (bicycles, electric bicycles and cars, pedestrian transport) (2025). 
9. Reduce personal carbon footprints of university staff and students providing broad range of awareness activities (2030-2050). 

Increase university’s carbon sequestration potential by planting trees in university campuses and areas close to the campuses (2020-2050)

Tree planting action in a university Campus 

Action 2: Reduce of Khazar University’s water footprint to 25% by the year 2030 

1. Reduce water use in toilet facilities and canteens through implementation of waterless technologies 
2. Implementation of drop irrigation systems in university gardens and green areas 
3. Use of grey wastewater in irrigation of university parks and green areas 
4. Rescue personal water footprint of university staff implementing university wide awareness activities.

Khazar University Water Use 2015-2021 

Action 3: Solid waste minimization and recycling 

1. Supporting the country's law on Industrial and household waste management to reduce solid wastes 
2. Achieve solid waste diversification and minimization through implementation of special measures 
3. Reduce paper use though implementation of electronic means 

Action 4: Increasing Leadership Activities (2023-2050)

1. Conduct nationwide public awareness activities through implementation of Public Campaigns on Sustainable Development 
2. Putting the University's knowledge and sustainability tool into use (2023)
3. Conduct community-based trainings for vulnerable communities n sustainable land and water use   
4. Actively collaborate with local and international agencies that work on sustainable development.  
5. Actively collaborate with local municipality on air pollution reduction and water management issues 
6. Conduct Community and public trainings n Climate Changes, Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development 
7. Keep active collaboration with international offices of UN 
8. Launch personal carbon calculator for general use of students and teaching staff (2025)

Khazar University total carbon footprint 2015-2021 (Scope 1 and Scope 2)

Since 2015, Khazar University has started calculating the amount of carbon emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2. Starting from 2025, the university plans to calculate carbon emissions for Scope 3 through its own carbon calculator.