Commitments of the UC community for sustainable development will blossom at the Botanical Garden
The pledges, written on seed paper by around 100 members of the UC community, were 'sown' this Wednesday.
"I pledge to consume local products", "I pledge to reduce domestic water consumption", "I pledge to adopt a plant through UC.Plantas": these are some of the commitments made by the University of Coimbra (UC) community to the planet's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will bloom at the UC Botanical Garden (JBUC). The pledges, written on seed paper by around 100 members of the UC community as part of an initiative by the UC Office for Sustainable Development, have been on display in the garden for the past month and were sown this Wednesday, 9 April.
The planting - which took place this afternoon with the participation of UC Rector Amílcar Falcão, Vice Rector for Planning, Sustainability and Quality Patrícia Pereira da Silva and JBUC Director Teresa Girão - was the final stage of the "UC Community Commitments for Sustainable Development" initiative launched by GDS.UC in September 2024. At that time, the academic community was invited to make a commitment to a more sustainable future (whether through a change in their daily routine or a goal to achieve) and record it on seed paper made from wildflower seeds that would later be sown and bloom in the UC Botanical Garden. They will now diversify the wildflower landscape and help protect biodiversity in the Botanical Garden.
"The aim of this initiative was to involve the academic community in our university's institutional commitment to sustainable development, and to demonstrate that the achievement of the SDGs depends on each and every one of us. We are delighted with the community's commitment to this action, both in terms of their pledges and the planting that has now taken place," says Vice Rector Patrícia Pereira da Silva.
" Although it may seem like a symbolic action, this initiative truly represents the University of Coimbra's role in promoting sustainability. Not only have we taken concrete measures in the day-to-day running of the institution, which has led us to be recognised as the most sustainable university in Portugal, but we also want to contribute to changing mindsets and encouraging the adoption of new sustainable practices by all members of the academic community. I hope that this will be another inspiring step in that direction," concludes Rector Amílcar Falcão.
The guide Your Sustainable Path—Positive Footprint was also launched, combining a set of guidelines and suggestions for individual actions and initiatives that contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
