Sustainability at SMU

In September 2020, when we unveiled the SMU 2025 strategy, we further underscored the importance of Sustainable Living and committed to it as a priority area, where we see ourselves creating impact and bringing about positive change.

- Professor Lily Kong, SMU President

Our Strategies

How we work, learn, and play as an Engaged City University.

Cultivate a Greener University

Since its inception, SMU has been committed to developing a clean, green, and healthy environment for our students, faculty, and staff as well as neighbouring communities, businesses, residents, and visitors.

Solar Panels
Develop Change Agents Through Education

SMU is committed to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and mindsets through education and develop them into leaders and change agents who are able to integrate sustainable development, address sustainability issues, and promote sustainability as active global citizens.

Lecturer giving a class
Drive Impactful Research

SMU prioritises the development of high-quality sustainability research by focusing on areas of SMU's strength, developing global and local research partnerships on sustainability agenda and put ideas into real-world practice through living labs on our campus.

Image respresenting research
Foster Resilient Communities

SMU promotes a holistic approach towards the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of students, staff and faculty, and promotes a diverse and inclusive community on campus.

Students
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represent an urgent call for action for all countries - developed and developing - to protect people and the planet. See how our Sustainability Strategies map onto the 17 UN SDGs.

Take Action

From students to faculty, staff to partners, there are ways for everyone to make a difference. Join the movement to change the world.

Package Pals sorting sessions

Package Pals is co-founded by SMU undergraduate Rachel Han. Read about their startup journey here and join their monthly sorting sessions at Our Tampines Hub.

Get Active, Feel Good

Download the SMU Resilience app today on the Google Play Store!

Get Active, Feel Good

Download the SMU Resilience app today on the Apple App Store!

Upcycle your denims

Bring your pre-loved denim jeans to The SMU Shop, and we will transform them into creative new merchandise such as bags and pouches! This is a partnership with SMU Artfest 2022 Lost & Found.

Partner us as a sustainable supplier

SMU expects our suppliers to deliver services and goods on a fair and ethical basis and provide assurance that they conduct their businesses in alignment with our core principles of sustainability.

Start a SG Eco Fund Project

Do you have an idea for a project that supports environmental sustainability and involves the community? The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) SG Eco Fund offers financial support for ideas that create positive impact.

Celebrate cultural Diverse-city

Diverse-city is a week-long SMU festival that promotes social integration and appreciation of ethnic and cultural identities to celebrate cultural diversity, organised by our SMU Icon (International Connections) club. 

Strengthen mental health

Participate in Mental Health Week this year which focuses on the 4 aspects of physical resilience - sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and creating a safe environment for oneself. 

Latest Coverage on Sustainability at SMU

SMU expands international partnerships and empowers business leaders with sustainable practices through masterclass

SMU expands international partnerships and empowers business leaders with sustainable practices through masterclass

On 4 July 2024, a delegation from SMU and the SMU Overseas Centre in Ho Chi Minh City visited the British University in Vietnam (BUV) in Hanoi. This visit marked a significant milestone in the comprehensive partnership signed between the two institutions, focusing on a Postgraduate Programme…
Understanding sustainable finance in Asia

Understanding sustainable finance in Asia

The Singapore Green Finance Centre hosted the Impact & Sustainable Finance Faculty Consortium Convening 2024 at the Singapore Management University from June 26 to 28. The Consortium is a community of faculty members from universities around the world who teach and research in the space of…
Meet the start-up founder who’s turning food waste into reusable containers

Meet the start-up founder who’s turning food waste into reusable containers

In 2019, while pursuing a Master of Science in Innovation at SMU, alumna Karen Cheah was tasked with launching a hypothetical start-up to address a global issue. Curious about why countries could not better manage garbage, she turned her idea into reality by founding Alterpacks, which creates…

Awards and Achievements

We aim to be the pre-eminent impact maker in sustainability and are committed to becoming a carbon-neutral campus by 2030. Here are some accomplishments from our initiatives encompassing smart technologies, solar harvesting, and low energy green mark certifications.

2022 SGBC-BCA Leadership in Sustainability Awards 2022
2021 Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP) for Best Energy Efficiency Practices in the Public Sector (Organisation)
2020 Green Mark Platinum for School of Social Sciences/College of Integrative Studies(Super Low Energy Building)