Documents and Governance

The University of Latvia’s (UL) work on sustainable development is guided by its strategy, policies and action plans. Their implementation is underpinned by transparency, accountability and the participation of students, staff and partners.

UL Strategy

The UL Strategy 2021-2027 establishes sustainable growth as a cross-cutting principle across six areas of university development: research excellence, development of studies, contribution to society, talent development, environment and governance, and organisational culture.

In the area of environment and governance, the strategy sets out the following objectives:

establish sustainable governance and work towards a climate-neutral university;
ensure the sustainability of investments and infrastructure while reducing the university’s adverse environmental impacts;
develop environmentally friendly infrastructure and promote sustainable resource use and consumption patterns;
develop an innovative and digital learning, research and working environment;
ensure effective organisational governance and integrated quality management.

These objectives are complemented by support for staff professional development, student and staff well-being, and the development of an inclusive culture that fosters collaboration and innovation.

UL Sustainable Development Policy

UL understands sustainable development as taking responsibility for the environment and people by voluntarily integrating social, economic, environmental and human rights values into its daily activities and its relationships with staff, students, partners, decision-makers and society.

The UL Sustainable Development Policy sets out the university’s sustainability principles, areas of action and implementation mechanisms. It aims to establish UL as a model of responsible practice and encourage changes in behaviour and habits that advance sustainable development within the university and across Latvia.

The policy is binding on the entire UL community and the stakeholders involved in the university’s activities. It applies to education, research, organisational development, governance and collaboration with partners. UL also promotes the application of its sustainability principles in the operations of suppliers, contracted service providers and other partners.

The policy is aligned with UL’s mission, vision and values, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal and other applicable policy planning documents. It was approved by the UL Council on 31 January 2023.

The policy covers seven areas of action:

research, innovation and knowledge transfer
education and learning for sustainable development
communication and engagement
socially responsible investment
resource management
an environment that promotes societal well-being
cooperation to achieve regional and global sustainability goals

UL’s sustainable development principles include leadership in research and education, participation and openness to initiatives, a systemic and comprehensive approach, open communication, transparency, accountability and continuous development.

Implementation of the policy is based on identifying needs, acting ethically, respecting diversity and human rights, and involving staff, students and their representative bodies. UL also encourages its partners to uphold these principles in their activities.

Practical implementation tools include climate innovation, environmental management, circular economy solutions, socially responsible procurement, support programmes, and participation in the EcoCampus programme and other sustainability assessment frameworks. These are complemented by efforts to build a shared understanding of sustainability within the UL community and wider society, and to integrate sustainability principles into research, education and collaboration across academic disciplines.

UL implements its Sustainable Development Policy through measures that promote responsible resource management, sustainable consumption and changes in everyday behaviour. These include reducing reliance on single-use plastics and disposable items, encouraging reusable bottles, cups and containers, and expanding access to free drinking-water refill points.

Implementation is monitored through annual environmental reviews under the EcoCampus programme, waste reporting, sustainability reporting and the UL Eco-Council’s Green Action Plan. Information on university-wide waste generation and recycling is included in the UL Sustainability Report 2025.

Sustainable Procurement

Through its procurement practices, UL promotes responsible resource use and seeks to reduce the environmental impact of purchased goods and services throughout their life cycle. Environmental and sustainability considerations are incorporated into procurement requirements and tender evaluation, taking into account not only the purchase price but also resource efficiency, operating costs and longer-term environmental and economic impacts.

This approach supports the commitment to socially responsible procurement set out in the UL Sustainable Development Policy.

UL conducts procurement in accordance with applicable public procurement legislation. In preparing procurement requirements and evaluating tenders, the university seeks, wherever possible and appropriate, to use guidance issued by the Procurement Monitoring Bureau and the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development on strategic and sustainable procurement.

Green public procurement criteria, including those developed under Cabinet Regulation No. 353, Requirements for Green Public Procurement and Procedures for Their Application, may serve as a methodological reference and an example of good practice where compatible with current legislation. Their use as guidance is distinguished from any mandatory requirements applicable to the particular procurement.

This approach enables UL to continue incorporating environmental considerations, resource efficiency and life-cycle costing into procurement as the regulatory framework evolves.

When purchasing electricity-consuming products, UL takes account of energy efficiency and electricity consumption in accordance with the requirements and evaluation criteria of the specific procurement procedure.

Electricity consumption affects both operating costs and emissions associated with a product’s use. Energy-efficient solutions can therefore offer lower life-cycle costs and reduced environmental impacts over their useful life.

Where relevant, UL also considers durability, maintenance requirements and other life-cycle costs. These considerations support the selection of solutions that are economically and environmentally sound over the long term and promote responsible use of public funds.

UL extends its sustainability and resource-minimisation principles to suppliers and outsourced service providers through relevant procurement requirements and evaluation criteria.

Depending on the nature of the procurement, these requirements may address:

waste prevention and reduced reliance on disposable items;
reusable and durable alternatives;
responsible resource use;
energy efficiency and electricity consumption;
environmental impacts throughout the life cycle;
operating costs and other relevant life-cycle costs.

This approach applies, where relevant, to contracted services and the procurement of goods, equipment, stationery, furniture and construction works. It supports the selection of resource-efficient and environmentally preferable products and services and encourages partners to apply UL’s sustainability principles in their operations.

Sustainable Development Governance

The UL Head of Sustainable Development coordinates the university’s sustainability work, oversees the development and implementation of sustainable development procedures, and reviews the alignment of internal regulations and policies with environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. The Head proposes process improvements in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supports the development of sustainability initiatives.

In cooperation with UL organisational units, students, staff, public bodies and non-governmental organisations, the Head implements educational programmes and promotes sustainable practices and thinking within the UL community.

UL Eco-Council

The UL Eco-Council is a collective advisory and coordinating body that supports the university’s leadership in advancing environmental sustainability. It makes recommendations on UL’s environmental sustainability priorities, reviews relevant documents and initiatives, and promotes participation in sustainability assessment and certification schemes.

The Eco-Council is responsible for implementing the steps of the EcoCampus programme and, in cooperation with the UL Student Council, promotes environmental and student interests.

The Eco-Council comprises representatives of academic and professional services staff, relevant organisational units and students, as well as the UL Head of Sustainable Development. Five student representatives are nominated by the UL Student Council. The membership and Chair of the Eco-Council are approved by the UL Rector.

The UL Eco-Council’s internal planning document, the Green Action Plan, sets out measures to reduce the university’s environmental impact and engage the university community. Priorities and measures are informed by the annual environmental review conducted as part of the EcoCampus programme.

In 2025, the priority was biodiversity and the campus environment and grounds. Alongside this, UL carried out educational and practical activities addressing water, waste, food and climate issues, involving both the university community and the wider public.

Documents

The full list of UL documents is available in the “Documents” section of the UL website.

Information on sustainability implementation and performance, including university-wide waste generation and recycling, is available in the UL Sustainability Report 2025.