UNITAU Sustainable Observatory brings together institutional indicators, academic projects and interactive panels on natural resource consumption
The University of Taubaté (UNITAU) launched, not last saturday (13), during the event “Latin American Dialogues for the Environment”, the UNITAU Sustainable Observatory (OBSESSED), digital platform developed by Centro UNITAU Sustentável (CEUS) to monitor environmental indicators, integrate institutional projects and strengthen the culture of sustainability within the University.
The portal, available at unitau.me/Centro-UNITAU-Sustentavel, gathers information related to environmental axes, social and governance of the Institution, organized into monitoring panels and an inventory of actions linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (ODS) United Nations Organization (HIM).
Among the resources already available are water consumption monitoring panels, electrical energy and fuel, beyond the call “Lighthouse of Sustainability”, visual tool that presents the situation of different campuses and academic units based on environmental performance indicators.
The proposal is to transform institutional data into awareness and decision-making instruments, bringing students together, teachers and employees of the challenges related to the responsible use of natural resources.
According to Professor Profa. Dr. Fabrina Moreira Silva, deputy coordinator of CEUS, the observatory was created with the aim of integrating different dimensions of sustainability within the University.
“We are building a portal that integrates teaching, search, extension and management in actions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Observatory has a dimension focused on institutional monitoring, with water indicators, energy and fuel, and another dedicated to research mapping, projects and programs developed by the academic community. Our goal is to make this information accessible and encourage everyone's engagement in building an increasingly sustainable university”, explains.
In addition to operational indicators, the portal presents the inventory of initiatives linked to CEUS. currently, the system brings together 32 active objects, between research projects, programs, extension actions and academic productions related to the Agenda 2030.
Another difference is the strategy of approaching the university community. In the next stages of the project, the University intends to install QR Codes in classrooms and academic units, allowing students to follow, in real time, the environmental performance of the spaces they frequent.
For the Vice-Rector of Research and Postgraduate Studies at UNITAU, prof. Dr. Monica Franchi Carniello, the launch represents an advance in the consolidation of sustainability as an institutional practice. “The UNITAU Sustainable Observatory translates, in a transparent and accessible way, the University's commitment to the Agenda 2030. More than monitoring indicators, the platform strengthens a culture of co-responsibility, connecting management, search, extension and academic training around concrete solutions to the socio-environmental challenges of our time”, highlights.
Evidence-based sustainability
Established by CONSUNI Resolution no. 174/2021, the UNITAU Sustainable Center (CEUS) is linked to the Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies and works in articulating initiatives related to the environment domains, society and governance.
CEUS’s actions are based on 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, added to the SDG 18 – Ethnic-Racial Equality, recognized in the Brazilian context. The work developed by the Center seeks to promote integration between scientific production, social responsibility and university management.
The launch of the Observatory is part of UNITAU's Environment Month programming, which brings together activities aimed at environmental education, scientific dissemination and promotion of sustainable practices within the academic community and society.
ACOM/UNITAU