Sustainable Development Goals
Our Commitment Strategy
"Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a clear and deliberate approach across all levels of the institution. The commitment strategies that are written below serve as a roadmap to our implementation. These strategies ensure that policies, teaching, research, and community efforts always aligned with global development priorities. Foundation University effectively contributes to sustainable development by following through this agenda.
This approach places the university within the wider effort to address global challenges. Integrating the SDGs into daily operations grounds its work in the daily experiences of the Foundationite community. After all, we believe that each development goal starts with the individual promise of each person, staff and constituent."
- President Victor Vicente G. Sinco
Sustainability Metrics
Local Context
.png)
Since 2020
169
Targets
76
Initiatives
5
Awards
7
Memorandums
SDG-5
Sustainable and Unisex Comfort Lounge
Unisex comfort lounges have been introduced as part of the university’s broader initiative to create a more inclusive, resource-conscious campus. These shared spaces are intended to meet practical needs while reflecting our deeper commitment to issues in equity and sustainability. Traditionally, comfort rooms have been segregated by gender, leading to inefficiencies in space allocation and accessibility demands. The change primarily addresses longstanding concerns raised by students and staff whose identities fall outside conventional gender categories. For trans and gender-nonconforming members of the community, access to gendered comfort rooms has often been a site of stress or exclusion. The new lounges remove these barriers, signaling a shift away from rigid categorization and toward more human-centered design.
Several departments have already begun adopting this model, with the most visible installation located in the main lobby. This design is deliberate as the placement affirms our move to eradicate marginal spaces. Initial feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly around the increased sense of ease, safety, and autonomy that this setup offers.
SDG-7
Use of LED Lights and 3-Phase Generators
The university has transitioned to LED lighting across offices, classrooms, and outdoor areas to reduce electricity consumption and extend maintenance cycles. This shift is part of a broader energy efficiency effort, complemented by the installation of 3-phase generators that deliver stable power across multiple buildings. These generators improve load management and reduce energy waste during outages or fluctuations, ensuring uninterrupted operations without the heavy fuel draw of older systems. Together, these upgrades lower operational costs while supporting the campus-wide move toward more sustainable infrastructure.
SDG-11
Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools Awardee
The university won the College Category of the Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools, first at the regional level and then nationally the following year. The award, given by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, acknowledged the institution’s comprehensive and ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into all areas of campus life. This included initiatives in waste reduction, the development and maintenance of green facilities, biodiversity research projects, and sustained community involvement.
SDG-11
Air Quality Monitoring System
The university runs a regular air quality monitoring system across selected indoor and outdoor areas, tracking formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), humidity, and temperature. The system alerts facilities staff when readings exceed safety thresholds, which will prompt immediate interventions such as increasing ventilation, adjusting air conditioning settings, or deploying purifiers across the concerned areas. These checks are part of the university’s preventive maintenance protocol that works to keep classrooms, offices, and laboratories safe for extended use. The collected data also guides improvements in building design and ventilation planning across campus.
SDG-12
Way Plastikanay
Way Plastikanay is a campus-wide initiative led by the Safety and Environment Office that restricts the entry of plastic and single-use disposable materials every Tuesday. The rule applies to all campus gates and is observed by students, staff, and visitors alike.
This weekly practice serves as a direct response to the volume of plastic waste generated in schools and offices. By designating a day without disposable plastics, the campus builds habits around reuse, shifts purchasing decisions, and creates room for more permanent waste-reduction practices. It also offers a regular point of reflection on consumption and the hidden costs of convenience.
SDG-12
Use of sensor type lights at night.
Sensor-type lighting has been installed in key areas of the campus to minimize unnecessary energy use during off-hours. These lights activate only when movement is detected, providing illumination in hallways, stairwells, and open walkways without constant power draw. This system improves safety while cutting down on overnight electricity consumption. It also reduces the need for manual switching and extends the lifespan of the fixtures, aligning with the university’s ongoing efforts to modernize its infrastructure with low-impact, smart technology.
SDG-12
The Environmental, Economic, and Social Impact of Tourism Industry in Siquijor Island
As part of the Saklaw Program, Foundation University, the SSC, and Saint Paul University Dumaguete collaborated on a research project examining the layered effects of Siquijor’s growing tourism industry. The study looked closely at how tourism reshapes coastal ecosystems, influences household income, and shifts community structures. Fieldwork included interviews with local residents, business owners, and government officials, as well as ecological assessments of tourism-heavy sites. The research offers a composite view of development in the province, including dimensions where it uplifts, where it strains resources, and how policies might respond to both.
SDG-13
95% Unpaved Ground
Roughly 95% of the university grounds remain unpaved, allowing for better rainwater absorption, reduced surface runoff, and cooler ambient temperatures across the campus. This setup supports natural drainage and lessens the strain on artificial water systems during heavy rainfall. The unpaved areas also provide open space for plant growth, soil health, and biodiversity to thrive within the school environment.
Highlights from the Research Data
Research
Research covers studies, data collection and scholarship efforts that advance knowledge on sustainability topics. Faculty-led investigations into watershed health, carbon-sequestration models or behavioral drivers of energy conservation all belong here. Graduate theses exploring life-cycle assessments of campus buildings or surveys measuring student climate attitudes count as research outputs. MOAs with research institutes, government agencies or industry partners often formalize resource-sharing — access to laboratory space, joint funding proposals or data-exchange agreements.
The goal of the Research thrust is to generate evidence that informs policy and practice. Findings from these studies feed directly into campus operations, for instance, a soil-analysis report might guide landscaping choices, while a cost-benefit analysis of solar panels could support a new installation. Research projects also contribute to academic literature, raising the university’s profile in sustainability networks. By publishing articles, presenting at conferences and hosting symposia, the university shapes broader conversations and attracts collaborators for future investigations.
16 Sustainability-Focused Research Projects
Includes faculty-led and student-assisted research. Topics cover resource use, environment, and social impact. Records are updated by the research office.
24% Output on Environment Publications
Estimated proportion of published or presented work falling under related themes. Based on internal tracking and department submissions. Subject to periodic reclassification.
Four SDG-14 Focused Initiatives
Four SDG-14 focused research papers explore topics including microplastic contamination in coastal waters, the regeneration potential of local mangrove species, sustainable fishery practices among small-scale communities, and the impact of agricultural runoff on marine biodiversity.
3 Published Studies Since 2020
Involves long-term work on sustainability-related questions. Projects differ in scope and methodology. Review schedules depend on funding cycles.
Highlights from the Practice Data
Practice
Practice thrust focuses on implementing sustainable operations across campus and beyond. This includes energy-efficiency upgrades, water-conservation systems, zero-waste procurement policies and green procurement guidelines. Projects may start with an MOA between the university’s facilities office and an equipment vendor to install LED lighting throughout classrooms or upgrade to smart meters in residence halls. Practice also covers curricular integration of sustainability into hands-on training such as using compost collected from cafeterias in the campus farm or running lifecycle simulations in engineering labs.
Practice initiatives serve as living labs where theoretical research meets real-world application. Staff and students monitor outcomes by tracking utility bills, waste-diversion rates or biodiversity metrics, and work to refine methods to document return on investment. Successful pilots scale up into larger adoption: a trial rainwater-harvesting system in one building may expand to multiple rooftops after demonstrating cost savings. By embedding sustainability into everyday operations, practice thrust projects turn the campus into a model for other institutions and businesses seeking practical solutions.
32 Aligned Initiatives
Thirty-two aligned initiatives address multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including projects on clean energy transitions, inclusive education, responsible consumption, climate adaptation, public health, and community-led resource management.
P20,000 Saved Per Month
Total hours saved through process adjustments and operational changes. This figure reflects accumulated efficiencies across different units. It is subject to change as systems are updated.Estimated monthly savings based on current energy and utility data. This number may vary depending on seasonal and operational shifts. Tracking is ongoing to reflect updated figures.
13 Projects Dedicated to SDG-11 and SDG-12
Nearly 13 projects are dedicated to SDG-12 and SDG-11, focusing on sustainable consumption practices, waste reduction systems, urban resilience, and inclusive, safe community spaces.
5.6 Years Being Carbon Neutral
Length of time since the university began offsetting its carbon footprint. Calculations are based on energy use, emissions, and offset strategies. The figure is reviewed annually for accuracy.
Highlights from the Community Data
Community
The community thrust covers initiatives that engage students, faculty, staff and local stakeholders in sustainability efforts. Projects under this category include outreach programs, awareness campaigns and partnerships that address environmental and social needs in nearby neighborhoods. For example, a clean-up drive organized with barangay officials or a waste-segregation workshop for adjacent villages both fall under community. Memoranda of agreement with local government units or NGOs typically specify shared goals such as reducing plastic waste or improving public green spaces. Community initiatives strengthen ties between the university and its surroundings, build practical skills for participants and generate measurable impacts on local well-being.
Beyond one-off events, community also embraces ongoing collaborations. Service-learning courses that send students into public schools to teach recycling practices, or urban gardening projects co-managed with residents, illustrate sustained engagement. Through formal partnerships—documented in MOAs—the university provides expertise, manpower and resources while partners contribute local insight and logistical support. By centering people’s voices and lived experiences, community thrust projects create a two-way exchange: the university learns from the community, and the community gains tools to maintain its own progress.
27 Initiatives in Total
A total of 27 initiatives fall under the Community thrust, involving partnerships with local organizations, environmental education campaigns, livelihood support programs, disaster preparedness training, and collaborative resource management with surrounding communities.
40 Local Partnerships
Represents collaborations with schools, groups, and government units. Focus areas range from education to environmental action. Some partnerships are project-based.
5,000 Approx. Collaborators
Figure includes estimated counts from direct and indirect participants. Based on activity documentation and partner inputs. Totals are periodically reviewed.
6 Memorandum of Agreements Sign
Six Memoranda of Agreement have been signed, including partnerships with a non-stock, non-profit organization, the local government of Valencia, a member-consumer cooperative, a private corporation, and a research institution.
Our Commitment Strategy
Foundation University’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals grows directly from the vision that guided its earliest days. When Dr. Vicente Sinco laid the grounds for this institution, he saw rebuilding the country as a moral obligation to the land and its people. He believed scholarship and stewardship belonged together, and that conviction found expression in the first environmental policies he championed. Over time, that principle passed from faculty to students, shaping committees, curricula and everyday decisions across campus.
Our approach starts with integrated governance. The Environment and Safety Council includes representatives from each college and student group. It sets clear targets across teaching, research, and operations, based on shared goals rather than isolated policies. Benchmarks are reviewed every two years to stay in step with national guidelines and international standards.
When new data comes in, like updated figures on water use or waste, the council revises university rules within six months.
Financial decisions use the same framework. Budget proposals must tie funding to concrete outcomes, such as lower emissions, restored wetlands, or public workshops. Capital investments require a clear statement of expected impact before any money is released. This has led to practical shifts: building retrofits for energy efficiency, expanded rain-harvesting systems, and scholarships for students working on social-justice research.
Policy only works if people can carry it out. Faculty take yearly courses on sustainable teaching. Administrative teams train in procurement, waste systems, and inclusive planning. Student leaders learn how to map communities and measure impact. Across the university, workshops and online modules build a shared foundation. Environmental care and social equity become routine parts of the work, not separate add-ons.
Tracking progress falls to a centralized reporting platform managed by the Safety and Environment Office. Each end of the year cycle, division heads submit data on resource use, outreach activities and curriculum updates. External auditors then verify those figures in a winter review. By spring, the university publishes an interactive dashboard showing carbon avoided, waste diverted and the share of courses with SDG learning outcomes. This transparent process invites feedback from students, staff and partners and reveals where more attention is needed for the following academic season.
Our processes begin with three core thrusts: Practice, Research, and Community. These guide the direction of all planning and implementation efforts, guiding how programs and initiatives are to be carried out across the university.
From here, we identify seven primary areas of concern that shape how we organize, evaluate, and expand our SDG initiatives: Campus Footprint and Operational Trends; Energy and Water Consumption Patterns; Waste Generation and Diversion; Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity; Community Engagement and Capacity Building; Clean-up Campaigns; and Health, Safety, and Well-being. Each category provides a concrete field of action, allowing colleges and departments to align their projects with the broader sustainability framework while addressing the specific conditions of their own work.
Long before we formally aligned our sustainability strategy with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Foundation University had already demonstrated an earnest commitment to environmental protection. As early as 2013, the school claimed three special awards in the National Search for Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools, including the Meralco Energy Leadership Award, recognizing its water‑management system and energy‑conservation practices within the campus.
2013 DENR Search for Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools - National Finalist
2013 DENR Search for Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools - Regional Champion
2015 DENR Search for Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools - National Champion
The following year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources singled out FU for its solid‑waste management advocacy and partnerships with five local government units on recycling projects, biomechanical composting and electronic‑waste reuse. In 2015, the university would go on to win the DENR’s national Sustainable and Eco‑Friendly Schools program, cementing its reputation as a leader in campus‑wide green initiatives. By that point, pilot waste‑reduction schemes had already transitioned into institution‑wide policies, and energy audits were standard practice in some departments. These foundational steps predated any formal SDG commitment, yet they laid the groundwork for every policy and project that would follow.
A driving force behind these early gains was President Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco. Trained as an architect and seasoned as an entrepreneur, he set a five‑year roadmap toward zero‑footprint energy consumption, securing investment for rooftop solar and backing community‑scale renewables. Under his guidance, cost‑benefit analyses convinced stakeholders that phased solar‑panel financing could reduce net energy expenses by roughly one‑third, turning what once seemed a prohibitive capital outlay into a long‑term savings plan. His vision extended beyond cost by championing water‑harvesting designs in new buildings. He insisted on native landscaping to reduce irrigation needs and mandated green‑certification criteria for every major renovation. Sinco’s influence has reshaped budget priorities, embedding sustainability targets in annual performance evaluations and forging alliances with local government units and non‑profits.
Across the full slate of seventy-plus initiatives, the university’s sustainability work breaks down into three clear areas of focus. Research projects account for roughly one-seventh of the total, community engagement makes up nearly one-third, and hands-on practice represents just over half.
In research, sixteen initiatives probe everything from solid-waste management attitudes among staff to water-potability testing, river quality assessments and air-quality monitoring.
Most of these efforts zero in on SDG-14 initiatives, with a considerable number focused on SDG-12 and SDG-6. This clearly reflects among other things the importance of water quality and urban resilience in Dumaguete City.
Many of these investigations were performed under a partnership, often formalized through MOAs with government agencies or NGOs, ensuring findings feed directly into broader environmental planning. Regardless, Foundation University's environmental initiatives have always reflected in a broader concern for stewardship, whether it is by a departmental accord or something wider.
Community-centered efforts number around sixteen and span youth workshops on environmental management, coastal and river clean-ups, health-and-wellness drives and emergency-response training. Here the university partners with barangays, PENRO, the Philippine Earth Justice Center and other groups to deliver service-learning, public lectures and mass mobilizations. Notable events include the 38th International Coastal Clean-Up (SDG-14), the Banica River clean-up, and a series of health-monitoring and first-aid trainings (SDG-3).
Practice initiatives dominate the portfolio with roughly thirty-one projects. These range from installing LED lighting, smart meters and solar-powered generators (SDG-7) to rolling out zero-waste procurement, sensor-activated lights and unisex compost lounges (SDG-12 and SDG-5). On campus, living labs like the green-space renovation, rainwater-harvesting trials and bokashi production feed directly into operational savings and educational programs. Large-scale tree plantings, mangrove restoration and coastal-clean-drive pilots (SDG-13 and SDG-14) demonstrate the institution’s commitment to scaling practical solutions.
Across all thrusts, water and waste feature most prominently—clean-water research, river and coastal clean-ups, recycling programs and household-composting lectures link back to SDG-6 and SDG-12 again and again. Campus-wide energy upgrades, from smart meters to photovoltaic arrays, tie into SDG-7 and SDG-13, while urban-environment targets like air-quality monitoring and sustainable architecture reinforce SDG-11. In keeping with the university’s threefold approach, each project either builds knowledge, brings stakeholders together or embeds sustainable methods into everyday operations—often doing all three through carefully structured partnerships.
Across the thirty‐five SDG–thrust pairings we tracked, Practice stands out as the dominant mode of action. Of the ninety‐one total initiatives, forty‐one fall under practice, twenty‐three under Community Engagement and twenty‐seven under Research. SDG-11 (sustainable cities and communities) leads the pack with thirteen projects — eight in practice, three in community and two in research — reflecting a strong campus push to model urban sustainability both on and off campus.
Water and sanitation (SDG-6) rank after, with seven initiatives spread evenly across practice (three), research (three) and community (one). That balance suggests the university is generating data on water quality even as it pilots hands‐on solutions like downspout chains and bokashi and stages events such as the BANICA Rehabilitation Program. Meanwhile, life below water (SDG-14) and responsible consumption and production (SDG-12) each command six projects. SDG-14 divides into two practice, three community and one research effort, whereas SDG-12 groups five practice and two research activities, underscoring a bias toward practical waste‐management tactics.
Health (SDG-3) registers six entries, all in community outreach—wellness exercises, first aid training and covid-19 response—while higher education quality (SDG-4), gender equality (SDG-5) and industry innovation (SDG-9) each tally two or fewer projects, suggesting room to grow partnerships or studies in those areas. Clean energy (SDG-7) features four practice deployments of LED lights, solar panels and smart generators, but no community or research components, pointing to an opportunity for complementary outreach or impact analysis.
At the other end, zero projects address SDG-17 (partnerships for the goals) in the community or research spheres—just one practice initiative. And while economic growth (SDG-8) and sustainable land use (SDG-15) appear briefly, both have fewer entries than the average. Taken together, these figures show a clear preference for turning sustainability theory into campus‐wide practice, with solid support for community engagement and a substantial research arm that could be better integrated into certain SDG areas as you plan your next round of MOAs and project rollouts.
.png)
