Liceo de Cagayan University

I. RATIONALE

As Liceo de Cagayan University (LDCU) continues its journey toward global excellence, it recognizes the vital responsibility of higher education institutions in addressing the world’s most urgent and interconnected challenges in climate change, social inequality, public health, and sustainable development.

Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this policy reaffirms the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and institutional resilience. It underscores LDCU’s vision of being a transformative higher education institution that nurtures ethical, innovative, and globally competent individuals.

Through this policy, LDCU endeavors to embed sustainability principles into every dimension of its institutional life in governance, operations, teaching, research, and community engagement. In doing so, the University aims to cultivate responsible citizens and future-ready leaders who will champion sustainable solutions and contribute meaningfully to the realization of the SDGs at the local, national, and global levels.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

Liceo de Cagayan University commits to advancing sustainability across all dimensions of institutional life (academic, operational, social, and environmental) guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University shall promote responsible stewardship of resources, innovation for societal good, and inclusive growth in line with its vision of becoming a world-class institution of higher learning.  

III. OBJECTIVES

In pursuit of its commitment to sustainable development and in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Liceo de Cagayan University (LDCU) adopts the following objectives:

1.      Integrate sustainability principles into the University’s policies, curriculum, and research agenda.

2.      Reduce environmental impact through efficient resource management and carbon footprint reduction.

3.      Foster a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, staff, and partner communities.

4.      Strengthen partnerships with government, industry, and international organizations for SDG-aligned initiatives.

IV. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The sustainability initiatives shall be implemented as Whole-of-University Approach, recognizing that the pursuit of sustainable development is a collective responsibility that transcends administrative, departments, and disciplines levels. This approach ensures that every member of the University community actively contributes to creating a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible institution. Sustainability at LDCU is guided by the following core principles: 

SUSTAINABILITY CORE PRINCIPLES

1.      People: Promote equity, diversity, well-being, and community engagement.

2.      Planet: Uphold environmental stewardship and climate action.

3.      Prosperity: Drive inclusive economic and institutional growth.

4.      Partnership: Collaborate for shared sustainability outcomes.

V. SCOPE AND COVERAGE

This policy shall apply to all units, functions, and activities of the University. It encompasses the following:

1. All academic, administrative, and support units: colleges, departments, and offices involved in planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services;

2.  All members of the University community: faculty, staff, and students who actively participate in or are affected by institutional operations and initiatives;

3.  All research, innovation, and community extension programs: particularly those that contribute to sustainable development outcomes; and

4. All University-managed facilities, partnerships, and operations: covering campus infrastructure, resource utilization, procurement, and external collaborations.

VI. STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS

To effectively operationalize its commitment to institutional sustainability, the University adopts the following Strategic Focus Areas. Each focus area outlines key strategies and initiatives that collectively advance LDCU’s vision of becoming a world-class, sustainable university.

A. Sustainable Campus Operations

1.      Implement energy-efficient and renewable energy systems.

2.      Institutionalize waste segregation, recycling, and zero-waste targets by 2030.

3.      Adopt green building and water conservation standards.

4.      Encourage sustainable transportation and green procurement practices.

B. Sustainability in Education

1.      Integrate SDG concepts and sustainability competencies across curricula.

2.      Offer electives, minors, and certificate programs on sustainability and climate action.

3.      Implement faculty training programs on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

4.      Support student-led sustainability projects and capstone initiatives.

C. Research and Innovation for Sustainability

1.      Prioritize research funding aligned with the SDGs.

2.      Establish a Sustainability Research and Innovation Center (SRIC).

3.      Conduct interdisciplinary studies addressing climate, health, and social equity issues.

4.      Publish an Annual Sustainability Research Report.

D. Community and Industry Engagement

1.      Collaborate with LGUs, NGOs, and industries on SDG-aligned projects.

2.      Create Sustainability Living Laboratories in partner communities.

3.      Promote advocacy programs on environmental conservation and social inclusion.

4.      Establish the Liceo Green Ambassadors Program for student and employee engagement.

E. Governance, Reporting, and Recognition

1.      Develop a Sustainability Performance Measurement Framework aligned with international sustainability indicators.

2.      Publish an Annual Sustainability Report highlighting performance and impact.

3.      Recognize outstanding units and individuals in sustainability through awards and incentives.

VII. INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS

A. Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI)

1.      The OSI operates under the Office of the Chief Operations Officer (COO).

2.      Coordinates policy implementation, documentation, monitoring, and reporting of sustainability and innovation initiatives.

3.      The Office ensures data integrity for any Global Impact Ranking submissions and compliance with external audits.

B. University Sustainability Council (USC)

Composition:

            Chair:                University President

Vice Chair:       Chief Operations Officer

Members:        Vice President for Academic Affairs

                          Vice President for Finance

                          Vice President for Administration and Legal Affairs

                          Vice President for Human Resources

                          Vice President for Research, Extension, Publication, and Innovation

  Deans and Principals

  Directors/Heads of Support Service Offices

Functions:

1.      Formulate sustainability strategies and annual action plans.

2.      Oversee implementation and ensure compliance with this policy.

3.      Review reports and recommend improvements.

4.      Prepare official submissions for THE Impact Rankings and partner accreditations.

C. Sustainability Focal Persons

Each college and office shall appoint a Sustainability Focal Person to:

1.      Collect sustainability data;

2.      Lead college/department-level sustainability initiatives;

3.      Serve as liaison to the OSI.

VIII. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The University shall ensure the effective implementation of its Sustainability Policy through a systematic monitoring and evaluation framework. The University will conduct an annual performance assessment that measures both quantitative and qualitative outcomes covering key indicators such as energy consumption, waste reduction, SDG-linked research and projects, community outreach, and behavioral change among stakeholders.

To promote continuous quality improvement, triennial sustainability audits shall be carried out to evaluate institutional progress, identify areas for enhancement, and recommend evidence-based strategies for greater impact. In addition, periodic benchmarking against national and international sustainable universities shall be undertaken to align LDCU’s practices with global standards and strengthen its position as a leader in sustainability in higher education.

In terms of its reporting mechanism, the Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI) shall oversee the collection, analysis, and consolidation of sustainability data from all academic and administrative units. Based on these assessments, the OSI shall prepare and publish the Annual Liceo Sustainability Report, which will highlight key performance indicators, accomplishments, challenges, and impact outcomes. The report shall be presented to the University leadership and shared with internal and external stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability, and continuous engagement in achieving the University’s sustainability goals.

IX. POLICY REVIEW 

This policy shall be reviewed every three (3) years, or earlier as needed, to ensure continued relevance and alignment with emerging sustainability standards, and national and local policies.