Our contribution to sustainable development in line with Agenda 2030, social and environmental sustainability

Focusing on sustainability: how the DAAD is contributing to overcoming global challenges – in accordance with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals – by promoting international cooperation worldwide.

The following four strategic goals of the DAAD's sustainability agenda, which are based on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the German Sustainability Strategy, guide the DAAD's actions to increase sustainability and climate protection.

The contribution DAAD programmes are making to the 2030 Agenda

The DAAD is enabling the development of sustainable solutions in key areas such as food security, education, health and climate protection with numerous funding programmes. The portfolio ranges from the training of highly qualified professionals and leaders to the development of study programmes and competence centres and the funding of applied research in internationally networked teams. Through its cooperation with universities and non-university partners worldwide the DAAD supports the development of strong “Partnerships for the Goals” (SDG 17) that will continue working long after funding ends.

In addition, the DAAD was officially granted observer status at the COP 29 international climate conference in Baku in 2024. By joining the circle of UNFCCC observers, the DAAD is directly linking its climate programmes to the negotiating forums of global politics – and creating tangible added value for its grant recipients, alumni and project partners.
 

Find more information about Universities: keys to sustainable development & The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs 

 

Strengthening institutional sustainability management

The DAAD is aligning its own organisational activities (including sustainable procurement, mobility and building management) more closely with the fundamental principles of sustainability and climate protection. In its climate and environmental policy, it has set itself the goal of achieving greenhouse gas neutrality in its business operations by 2030. It follows the principle of avoidance before reduction before compensation, prepares an annual greenhouse gas balance sheet for its business operations and supports its employees in implementing climate and environmental protection in their own working environment with fact sheets and guidelines.

Since the end of 2024, the DAAD's climate and environmental management system has been certified according to DIN EN ISO 14001.

 

Guaranteeing sustainability of funding activities and safeguarding their long-term effects

Through its funding programmes, the DAAD contributes to the achievement of global sustainability goals. Physical mobility plays a central role in international cooperation. The DAAD is aware of the environmental impact this has and is committed to organising mobility in a way that is as climate- and environmentally-friendly as possible, as well as utilising digital exchange formats. In addition, the information sheet Our positive ecological handprint contains programme examples that contribute to strengthening ecological sustainability worldwide.

In addition, the DAAD is committed to ensuring the sustainable impact of its funding activities. It attaches great importance to securing the long-term results achieved and transferring them to science, industry and society. Ecological and social sustainability in funding activities includes partnership-based approaches, impact-oriented monitoring and comprehensive follow-up support to ensure lasting effects. The DAAD presents the effects of its programmes and its contribution to sustainable development in topic-related, programme- and funding-specific fact sheets and overviews.

 

Knowledge for development: sustainable solutions for international cooperation  

The DAAD is using its expertise and its extensive international network to make knowledge available for sustainable development and further advance the discourse on sustainable development in dialogue with universities, donors and partner organisations. It is continuously expanding its expertise in the field of ecological and social sustainability and sustainable development. Partners and decision-makers worldwide benefit from this in the form of specialist contributions, databases, exchange formats and consulting services. At the same time, the DAAD participates in the discourse on the role of higher education and science in sustainable development. Impact orientation and monitoring support the further development of the portfolio and institutional learning.

More about fact sheets and overviews & dossiers

 

Diversity

Furthermore, the United Nations' 2030 Agenda takes diversity and inclusion into account in various areas. It emphasises that inequalities must be reduced and that no one should be left behind in order to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

More about diversity