01Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC)
Oversees resource-efficiency metrics and sustainability reporting. Publishes verified data on waste, consumption, and sustainability KPIs.
Contact Office On
1717.3.12
Published Progress – SDG12
Public reporting on university progress and performance related to SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Introduction
Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is fully committed to promoting responsible consumption, sustainable production, and circular-economy practices, in alignment with SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production. Through the Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC) and the Facilities and Environmental Services Department, the University has developed and implemented integrated programmes focused on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and sustainable procurement.
Between 2023 and 2025, AAU made measurable progress in:- launching a Smart Recycling Programme and Waste-to-Energy Project to minimise waste generation and increase resource recovery;
- implementing a Sustainable Procurement framework that prioritises eco-friendly materials, ethical suppliers, and locally sourced products;
- integrating sustainability principles into curricula, operations, and awareness campaigns; and
- publishing all outcomes, policies, procedures, and environmental data through the AAU Sustainability Portal and Annual Sustainability and Executive Reports.
This governance-based and transparent reporting system ensures that AAU’s commitment to responsible consumption is evidence-based, verifiable, and publicly accessible, directly contributing to UN SDG 12 targets (12.2–12.8) and Jordan’s National Green Growth Plan (2021–2030).
Centers and Departments
02General Supplies and Services Department
Implements waste-management, recycling, and green-procurement systems. Reports operational performance to SIRC for public disclosure.
03Finance Department
Tracks resource budgets and procurement compliance. Ensures sustainable purchasing and cost-efficiency reporting.
04Deanship of Student Affairs
Coordinates awareness and student participation in sustainability campaigns. Publishes data on student engagement and environmental impact.
05Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research
Conducts applied research on waste-to-energy and green materials. Shares innovation data in public sustainability reports.
06Marketing and Communications Unit
Disseminates public reports and campaigns on sustainability progress. Ensures transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Activities
01AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025
The Sustainability Report 2023–2024 publicly presents AAU’s progress in waste reduction, recycling, and responsible resource management. It provides verifiable data on the Smart Recycling Program, waste-treatment systems, and procurement policy, directly advancing SDG 12 and SDG 17.
02Executive Sustainability Report (SDG 12 Section) 2024–2025
AAU’s Executive Sustainability Report highlights campus-wide achievements in responsible consumption and waste management, including reductions in material use and increases in recycling efficiency. It serves as transparent, evidence-based documentation of progress under SDG 12 targets (12.4–12.8).
03Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies Policy
AAU publicly issued its Ethical Sourcing Policy, ensuring that all food and supplies purchased meet environmental and ethical standards, including fair labor and sustainable production. This transparency promotes responsible consumption across all university departments, fulfilling SDG 12.6 and SDG 12.7 on responsible business operations and procurement.
04Hazardous Waste Management Policy
The University adopted a comprehensive Hazardous Waste Management Policy, regulating the safe handling, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials. This publicly accessible document ensures environmentally sound waste practices aligned with SDG 12.4 and SDG 3.9 to minimize health risks and pollution.
05Recycled Waste Management and Measurement Policy
AAU introduced a Recycled Waste Management and Measurement Policy to quantify recycling rates and waste diversion from landfills. Through continuous monitoring and reporting, this policy advances SDG 12.5 (reduce waste generation) and SDG 12.2 (sustainable use of resources).
06Plastic and Disposable Item Minimisation Policy
AAU adopted a strict Plastic and Disposable Item Minimisation Policy to reduce single-use materials and encourage reuse initiatives across campus facilities. This supports SDG 12.5 and SDG 12.8, reducing environmental impact through awareness and behavioral change.
07Supplier Ethical Sourcing Assessment Procedure
The Supplier Ethical Sourcing Assessment Procedure ensures that suppliers are evaluated on environmental, labor, and governance criteria before approval. This transparent mechanism enforces sustainability accountability across procurement, advancing SDG 12.6, SDG 12.7, and SDG 17.
08Hazardous Waste Disposal Management Procedure
AAU publicly released its Hazardous Waste Disposal Management Procedure outlining detailed steps for the segregation, labeling, temporary storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials. This operational document provides verifiable evidence of implementation under SDG 12.4 (environmentally sound waste management) and SDG 3.9 (reducing chemical exposure).
09Waste Generation and Recycling Measurement Procedure
This procedure defines the data-collection and reporting methodology for waste generation, segregation, and recycling across the university. It introduces measurable KPIs, ensuring traceability and public transparency aligned with SDG 12.5 (waste reduction) and SDG 12.2 (efficient resource use).
10Plastic Reduction in Consumables Procedure
AAU’s Plastic Reduction in Consumables Procedure operationalizes the Plastic Minimisation Policy by setting annual reduction targets for plastic bottles, packaging, and disposable cutlery. The procedure demonstrates active implementation and monitoring, supporting SDG 12.5 and SDG 14.1 (reducing plastic pollution).
11Disposable Item Reduction on Campus Procedure
This procedure ensures campus-wide reduction of disposable materials, implementing measurable actions across cafeterias, offices, and events. It reflects a practical commitment to responsible consumption and transparency under SDG 12.2 and SDG 12.8, reinforcing the behavioral aspect of sustainability culture at AAU.
Impact Evaluation & Development Plan
Performance Evaluation
- Sustainable Resource ManagementAAU monitors material and energy consumption across all units, with particular focus on:
- total volumes of solid waste generated and recycled;
- hazardous-waste streams from laboratories and medical units;
- consumption of single-use plastics and disposable items.
- These indicators are recorded, analysed, and summarised annually in the AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025 and the Executive Sustainability Report (SDG 12 Section).
- Smart Recycling, Waste Segregation, and Circular PracticesThe University applies a multi-stream waste-management system supported by:
- clearly labelled collection points for recyclables, hazardous waste, and general waste;
- the Smart Recycling Programme and Waste-to-Energy initiatives;
- the Recycled Waste Management and Measurement Policy and the Waste Generation and Recycling Measurement Procedure, which define responsibilities and data-collection methods.
- Sustainable Procurement FrameworkAAU has adopted a set of interlinked policies and procedures that govern responsible sourcing, including:
- Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies Policy;
- Plastic and Disposable Item Minimisation Policy;
- Supplier Ethical Sourcing Assessment Procedure;
- Disposable Item Reduction on Campus Procedure.
- Awareness, Capacity Building, and Student EngagementRegular workshops, training sessions, and student-led campaigns promote sustainability literacy and responsible-consumption behaviours. The Deanship of Student Affairs and student clubs act as key partners in:
- organising awareness days and campaigns on waste reduction and plastic minimisation;
- engaging students as “sustainability ambassadors”;
- documenting participation and impact for inclusion in the Sustainability Report.
- Public Transparency and Verified Reporting All SDG 12-related policies, procedures, and performance indicators are:
- compiled and verified by SIRC in coordination with the Facilities and Environmental Services Department and the Finance & Procurement Department;
- published through the AAU Sustainability Portal, the AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025, and the Executive Sustainability Report (SDG 12 Section).
Development Actions
- Action 1: Zero-Waste Campus Initiative (2025–2028) Scale up waste reduction, recycling, and reuse across all university operations to move towards a zero-waste campus model. Target: Achieve a 90 % overall recycling and recovery rate by 2028, with progress independently verified and reported annually in the AAU Sustainability Report. Action 2: Sustainable Procurement Portal (2025–2028) Develop a digital Sustainable Procurement Portal to track and report eco-friendly purchasing across all units. The portal will also display an annual Sustainable Procurement Scorecard for each department. Target: Portal operational by 2026; all major supplier categories monitored; summary data and supplier profiles publicly accessible via the Sustainability Portal. Action 3: Circular Economy Research Fund (2025–2028) Support faculty and student research on circular-economy models, sustainable materials, waste minimisation, and life-cycle assessment. Target: Fund at least 5 applied research projects per year, with all results published in open-access format and linked to SDG 12 indicators on the Sustainability Portal. Action 4: Green Office Certification Programme (2025–2028) Introduce a Green Office Certification scheme that assesses departments on energy use, paper and plastic consumption, waste segregation, and sustainable procurement. Target: 100 % of academic and administrative units certified as “Green Offices” by 2027; certification criteria and results published online. Action 5: Awareness and Student Engagement Programme (2025–2028) Expand student engagement through campaigns, competitions, and ambassador programmes focused on responsible consumption and production. Target: At least 1,500 student participants annually; activities, outcomes, and behaviour-change indicators documented and publicly reported.
Benchmarking & Best Practice
- AAU benchmarks its SDG 12 framework against global leaders such as the University of Cambridge (UK), the University of Melbourne (Australia), and KAUST (Saudi Arabia), recognised for transparent circular-economy reporting and integrated sustainable-procurement systems. Adopted Practices include:
- applying a life-cycle approach to resource management and procurement;
- digital tracking of waste flows, recycling rates, and consumption patterns;
- open publication of sustainability metrics, policies, and performance data;
- linking operational performance with education, research, and community engagement.
- Jordan’s Green Economy Strategy;
- Waste Management Framework Law No.16 (2020);
- national climate and green-growth policies.
