Arizona State University
IN-24: Innovation A

A new model of university collaboration to achieve sustainability outcomes The mission of the Global Consortium for Sustainability Outcomes (GCSO) is— "Develop practical solutions to sustainability problems and help build the capacity of individuals, communities and cities to take actions that will avoid, mitigate or solve them." There is a growing urgency to develop and apply solutions to sustainability problems. Globally recognized challenges to sustainability are growing faster than their solutions are being developed, tested, implemented and, ultimately, brought to scale. Universities and research institutes can play a unique role in addressing these challenges. These institutions have the research, development, innovation and capacity-building talent to develop timely, affordable and scalable solutions that could result in desirable sustainability outcomes. Working together, our member institutions will deliver solutions that overcome the pace at which sustainability challenges are jeopardizing human well-being and the ecosystems on which the world depends. Basics: GCSO is a global, non-profit network of universities established under the ASU Research Collaboratory (ASU Foundation). It is operationally supported and staffed by Arizona State University. ASU is also a dues-paying member. Timeline: GCSO was launched at the request of the Board of Directors for the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability. Recruitment of the founding institutions (listed below) occurred January-June of 2016 and the Consortium officially launched on July 1, 2016. Representatives from GCSO’s founding member institutions held their first meeting in Tempe, AZ in October 2016. Founding members: o University of Toronto (Canada) o Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (China) o Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) o Leuphana University of Lüneburg (Germany) o Dublin City University (Ireland) o Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico) o Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico) o National University of Political Studies and Public Administration / Babes Bolyai University (Romania) o King’s College London (United Kingdom) o Portland State University (USA) o Arizona State University (USA) Impact areas (top three): ○ Research (applied) – While universities are important sources of discovery and teaching, they typically undervalue what is described in academic circles as “applied research”. As a result, universities often fall short when it comes to developing and transferring to urban practitioners evidence-based ways of creating and scaling desired social, economic and environmental outcomes that would help make cities more resilient, for instance. Because GCSO is focused on scaling sustainability outcomes, collaborative research projects are applied and involve co-development of solutions with implementation agents (cities, industry, non-profits/NGOs, etc.). ○ Campus Engagement – GCSO’s membership views university campuses as “living laboratories,” spaces where students can “learn while doing.” The Consortium engages students, staff and faculty at member institutions in project-based learning. ○ Public Engagement – Scaling sustainability solutions and interventions requires engagement of stakeholders beyond the university setting. GCSO projects are co-developed with implementation agents. Projects may involve public participatory dialogues, workshops with city staff, training seminars with K-12 teachers, work with industry partners, and more. Article: o Members of new consortium unite around global sustainability outcomes Website: o https://sustainabilityoutcomes.org/

This innovation submission corresponds with the one Arizona State University submitted for its February 28, 2014 AASHE STARS rating. A new innovation credit will be included when the University re-submits for its February 2017 AASHE STARS rating.