SDG6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Introduction

Globally, climate change has become one of the most important problems in recent decades. Where scientists have concluded that the increased temperatures and climate changes have several short-term and long-term risks on the environment, human, animal and plant.

The Kingdom’s environmental system is a bit sensitive due to its dry climate, and the scarcity of its water resources; Making agricultural land in the kingdom fragile in front of the problem of climate change. An international report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel in 2007 showed that climate change has led to the change in rainfall levels around the world. This has emerged evident in to increase precipitation in the Kingdom. This, of course, has increased the risks that Saudi Arabia may suffer these kinds of environmental problems1 .

Universities are playing a crucial role in alleviating climate change impacts throughout their efforts in education, research and community outreach programs. Nevertheless, universities are also large organizations with significant greenhouse gas emissions (scope1, 2 & 3)4 . They produce emissions on their buildings and campuses through using electricity, fuel consumed from cars and buses traveling from and to universities, … etc. Thus, they have responsibilities in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions as well as their carbon footprints and plan actions to stop impacts of climate change.

The current strategic plan (2020 - 2025) of Qassim University is prepared in correspondence with the sustainable development perspective. The sustainability concept is shown in both mission and vision of Qassim University. The initial drafting of the Strategic Framework included a detailed analysis of the strategic governing frameworks incorporated important policies especially the Vision KSA 2030, and the New Universities System. National trends issued by the relevant authorities and the sustainable competitive advantages of the Qassim region were also taken into account.