Published Progress – SDG15

Performance Evaluation

• The AAU Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting Initiative, which engages students, staff, and local stakeholders in planting native trees;
• The Green Corridor and Campus Greening Program, which integrates vegetation, walkable paths, and ecological connectivity into campus planning.

These efforts contribute to improving local biodiversity, mitigating urban heat, and supporting SDG 15.1 and 15.3 (sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and combating land degradation).

• land and soil degradation,
• pollution impacts on terrestrial ecosystems,
• sustainable land management and restoration practices.

The Scientific Day on Combating Desertification and Drought provides a public platform to share research findings and raise awareness of land degradation, desertification risks, and ecosystem resilience in Jordan.

AAU integrates sustainable landscape design and green-infrastructure principles into campus planning, focusing on:

• water-efficient landscaping and erosion control; green corridors and habitat-friendly spaces for birds and pollinators; environmentally sensitive design of open areas and walkways.

These actions support ecosystem balance, soil protection, and climate resilience, and are documented within AAU’s sustainability reporting framework.

AAU organises workshops, lectures, scientific days, and student-led campaigns to increase awareness of:

• deforestation and land degradation, waste and its impact on land ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and the role of native species.

These activities are implemented through the Deanship of Student Affairs, sustainability student clubs, and academic departments, and are reported annually as part of AAU’s SDG 15 evidence.

All SDG 15-related data – including number of trees planted, area of green spaces, research outputs, and community activities – are compiled and verified by SIRC in collaboration with the Facilities and Environmental Services Department and relevant research centers. The results are published through:

• the AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025,
• the Executive Sustainability Report (SDG 15 Section) 2024–2025, and
• the AAU Sustainability Portal.

This ensures that AAU’s land and biodiversity initiatives are evidence-based, externally verifiable, and publicly transparent.

Development Actions

• Action 1: AAU Green Corridor Project (2025–2028) Expand green zones, native tree planting, and habitat-friendly landscaping across campus to enhance biodiversity, shade, and ecological connectivity. Target: 2,000 new native trees planted by 2027; progress reported annually through the Sustainability Portal and Sustainability Report.
• Action 2: Biodiversity Research Hub (2025–2028) Establish a dedicated Biodiversity Research Hub focusing on soil health, plant diversity, ecosystem services, and land rehabilitation in arid and semi-arid environments. Target: At least 5 new research projects annually; all major outputs published in open-access format and linked to SDG 15 indicators.
• Action 3: Community Reforestation Partnership (2025–2028) Collaborate with local municipalities, governorates, and environmental NGOs on forest and park rehabilitation projects in Jordan. Target: At least 3 regional reforestation partnerships by 2026; joint activities and results documented as public case studies.
• Action 4: Habitat and Pollinator Protection Initiative (2025–2028) Create and maintain safe habitats for birds, bees, and native plant species through pollinator-friendly gardens, nesting areas, and reduced pesticide use. Target: Development of a campus Biodiversity Index by 2027, updated annually and published on the Sustainability Portal.
• Action 5: Climate-Resilient Landscape Development (2025–2028) Promote water-efficient landscaping, soil-conservation measures, and erosion-control techniques across campus and associated sites. Target: 30 % reduction in irrigation water use by 2028 (relative to a 2023 baseline), with performance indicators reported publicly.

Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its biodiversity and land-sustainability initiatives against leading universities such as:

• the University of Oxford (UK),
• the University of Melbourne (Australia), and
• KAUST (Saudi Arabia),

all recognized for integrating biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure, and public transparency into institutional operations.

• Annual publication of biodiversity, greening, and land-restoration metrics;
• Integration of land-sustainability principles into infrastructure design and campus development;
• Open access to environmental reports, policies, and performance data;
• Linking operational actions to education, research, and community engagement.

Localization to Jordan’s Context AAU aligns its biodiversity and greening practices with:

• Jordan’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2015–2030);
• the Ministry of Environment’s Green Growth Plan (2021–2030);
• national climate-resilience and land-degradation neutrality goals.

This ensures that global best practices are translated into context-appropriate measures that support Jordan’s environmental and sustainable-development priorities.