Published Progress – SDG14

Public reporting on university progress and performance related to SDG14 (Life Below Water).

Executive Summary

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) plays a leading national and regional role in marine ecosystem protection, freshwater conservation, and sustainable aquatic-resource management, in alignment with SDG 14 – Life Below Water. Although Jordan is a landlocked country, AAU extends its environmental efforts to the Gulf of Aqaba and inland freshwater systems, contributing to marine and aquatic sustainability through research collaborations, awareness initiatives, community engagement, and pollution-prevention programs.

The Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC) ensures that all activities related to marine protection, freshwater quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem conservation are systematically recorded, verified, and publicly reported through the AAU Sustainability Portal, Annual Sustainability Report, and Executive Sustainability Report.

Between 2023 and 2025, AAU achieved significant progress in SDG 14 implementation, including:

Launching national awareness campaigns on marine, coastal, and freshwater conservation;
Partnering with NGOs and governmental bodies to promote ocean protection and pollution-reduction initiatives;
Organizing research and community-based projects studying biodiversity, water quality, and sustainable fisheries;
Implementing waste-management and pollution-prevention procedures that reduce environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems;
Publishing all findings and activities through a transparent, evidence-based sustainability reporting system.

This framework ensures full alignment with UN SDG 14 targets (14.1–14.5), Jordan’s National Biodiversity Strategy (2015–2030), and strengthens AAU’s contributions to SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through integrated, ecosystem-based approaches.

Centers and Departments

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01Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Monitors and reports all marine conservation activities. Publishes verified progress and research outcomes related to SDG14.

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02Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences

Leads research on water pollution and public health impacts. Provides research data on waterborne diseases and marine ecosystem health.

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03Faculty of Engineering

Supports marine and water-quality technology innovations. Develops monitoring tools and sustainable systems for aquatic environments.

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04Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research

Conducts applied studies in water treatment and marine preservation. Publishes data and findings through SIRC.

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05Deanship of Student Affairs

Coordinates student involvement in marine awareness campaigns. Organizes community outreach and cleanup programs.

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06Marketing and Communications Unit

Publicizes university efforts and partnerships on marine protection. Ensures transparency and public accessibility of results.

Activities

01AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025

The Sustainability Report 2024–2025 publicly documents Al-Ahliyya Amman University’s continued progress in marine and aquatic ecosystem protection, water pollution prevention, and plastic reduction initiatives. The report includes detailed evidence of the University’s marine conservation workshops, partnerships with NGOs in Aqaba, and water-quality research projects. By publishing this data, AAU demonstrates full transparency and accountability in implementing SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

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02Executive Sustainability Report (SDG 14 Section) 2024–2025

The Executive Sustainability Report 2024–2025 – SDG 14 Section provides a concise summary of AAU’s initiatives and impact indicators related to marine and water ecosystem protection. It highlights key performance metrics, community engagement, and partnerships promoting ocean health, sustainable fishing, and marine biodiversity conservation. This section exemplifies AAU’s ongoing transparency and international alignment with UN SDG 14 targets (14.1–14.5).

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03AAU Launches Marine Conservation Workshops to Promote Ocean Protection

AAU organized specialized Marine Conservation Workshops aimed at promoting awareness about ocean sustainability, water pollution prevention, and responsible coastal behavior. The workshops brought together environmental experts, NGOs, and students to discuss practical marine conservation strategies, directly supporting SDG 14.1–14.2.

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04University Hosts Beach Cleanup at Aqaba Sea to Support Marine Conservation Efforts

AAU students and faculty participated in a Beach Cleanup at the Aqaba Sea, in collaboration with marine organizations and local NGOs. This activity helped raise awareness on marine litter and environmental protection, aligning with SDG 14.1 (reduce marine pollution).

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05University Launches Research Initiative on Marine Ecosystem Preservation

AAU launched a Marine Ecosystem Research Initiative focused on water quality, biodiversity, and coral reef health in the Gulf of Aqaba. The research contributes to SDG 14.2 (sustainable management of marine ecosystems) and SDG 14.5 (conservation of coastal areas).

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06University Partners with Marine NGOs to Advance Ocean Conservation

AAU formed strategic partnerships with marine NGOs and environmental institutions to coordinate projects on ocean conservation, pollution prevention, and coastal biodiversity monitoring. These partnerships strengthen the University’s regional engagement for SDG 14 and SDG 17.

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07University Launches Sustainable Fishing Practices Awareness Campaign

AAU organized a Sustainable Fishing Awareness Campaign to promote responsible fishing, protect aquatic biodiversity, and educate communities about overfishing risks. This initiative aligns with SDG 14.4 (regulate harvesting and end overfishing) and SDG 14.7 (sustainable economic benefits from marine resources).

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation

1. Marine and Freshwater Research

AAU supports applied research on marine biodiversity, freshwater ecosystems, water quality, and the ecological impacts of human activity in the Gulf of Aqaba and Jordanian freshwater basins. All research outputs from 2025 onward will be published in open-access format on the AAU Sustainability Portal to enhance transparency and scientific accessibility.

2. Public Awareness and Education

AAU organizes continuous awareness programs – including marine conservation workshops, plastic-reduction campaigns, and youth engagement activities – encouraging students and communities to actively participate in protecting oceans and freshwater environments.

3. Partnerships with NGOs and Marine Organizations

AAU collaborates with environmental NGOs, marine research centers, and the Ministry of Environment to implement:

Coastal cleanup events Sustainable fishing awareness programs Biodiversity monitoring projects Workshops on water pollution and marine waste management

These partnerships strengthen SDG 14 and reinforce SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

4. Waste and Pollution Reduction

AAU applies institutional policies that directly reduce pollution affecting aquatic ecosystems, including:

Hazardous Waste Management Policy Waste Generation and Recycling Measurement Procedure Plastic and Disposable Item Minimisation Policy

These actions contribute to SDG 14.1 (reduce marine pollution) and align with the objectives of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

5. Public Transparency and Verification

All SDG 14 initiatives, including research, partnerships, awareness campaigns, and cleanup activities, are:

Verified by SIRC Reviewed by the University Presidency Published through the Sustainability Portal and Annual Reports

ensuring full public accessibility and compliance with THE Impact Ranking evidence standards.

Development Actions

Action 1: Marine Conservation Education Program

Integrate ocean literacy and freshwater ecosystem modules into sustainability and environmental science curricula. Target: Three new modules delivered by 2026; open-access educational materials published online.

Action 2: Marine Research Collaboration Platform

Establish a formal research platform with NGOs and marine centers in Aqaba to support biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem studies. Target: Annual research projects published on the Sustainability Portal starting 2025.

Action 3: Coastal Cleanup & Plastic-Free Campaigns

Conduct large-scale cleanup operations and anti-plastic pollution campaigns in the Aqaba coastal region. Target: At least two major campaigns annually; impact summaries made public.

Action 4: Water Quality & Ecosystem Monitoring Dashboard

Develop a digital dashboard tracking water-quality indicators (pH, salinity, contaminants, biodiversity signals) in AAU field sites. Target: Dashboard operational by 2027.

Action 5: Community Outreach and School Engagement

Expand marine and freshwater awareness activities to schools and local community groups across Jordan. Target: 500+ participants annually; activities recorded and published online.

Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its SDG 14 strategy against leading global institutions including:

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia
University of Queensland, Australia
University of Exeter, UK

recognized for excellence in marine science, ocean literacy, and coastal sustainability.

Adopted Best Practices

Integration of marine and freshwater sustainability into education and research
Transparent open-access reporting of marine-protection activities
Collaborative community programs addressing ocean and coastal pollution
Linking marine sustainability with climate, waste management, and water protection strategies

Localization to Jordan’s Context AAU adapts global practices to national priorities through collaborations with:

Marine NGOs in Aqaba
Ministry of Environment
Jordan’s National Biodiversity Program
Local schools and communities

ensuring impact that is both globally aligned and locally relevant.

Future Goal (by 2028) Establish the AAU Blue Planet Initiative, a multi-sector hub for:

marine ecosystem research
freshwater ecosystem monitoring
conservation policy dialogue
public climate & ocean education

supporting SDG 14 and SDG 17.

Institutional Integration Summary

At Al-Ahliyya Amman University, the implementation and reporting of SDG 14 are fully institutionalized within AAU’s sustainability governance model. SIRC collects and verifies data from the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, community outreach units, and relevant research centers.

This includes:

marine and freshwater research outputs
cleanup and conservation activities
partnerships with NGOs
pollution-reduction programs
awareness and education initiatives

All data undergo verification and Presidential approval before public release through the Sustainability Portal, Annual Sustainability Reports, and Executive Summaries.

This transparent, evidence-based process ensures that AAU’s contributions to protecting aquatic ecosystems, both marine and freshwater, are measurable, verifiable, and accessible. Through integrated research, community engagement, and policy collaboration, AAU demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to sustaining aquatic biodiversity, combating pollution, and advancing climate-resilient water ecosystems, directly supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

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