Global Sustainability Challenge
An unparalleled experiential learning opportunity for students to create impact through real-world sustainability solutions.
Supported by Stanford and several leading educational institutions and experts worldwide.
Our University Collaborators
Origin Story
Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s Dean, Dr. Arun Majumdar, led a discussion at the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos about how universities collaborate for sustainability.
The seed was planted with an observation and a question: In universities all over the world, students were already building and testing solutions to local issues, using their campus as a living lab. What might happen if we connected this energy already building on campuses around the world to form a global network?
Thus the Global Sustainability Challenge was born, with a goal to mobilize youth worldwide to apply their unique talents for creating a sustainable future. And making it a little fun by tapping the inter-collegiate competitive spirit!
Students’ Experiential Learning Journey
1. Form a Team & Pick a Theme
Recruit teammates with complementary experiences and skills. Pick a theme and specific problem that you'd like to engage in.
2. Research & Evaluate Solutions
Use the Resource Library, Mentor Networks, and primary research to go deeper into possible approaches.
3. Prototype. Deploy & Test
Prototype solutions, test hypotheses, and measure the impact in real-world scenarios e.g. by using their campus as a living lab.
4. Refine & Showcase
Refine approach based on real-world feedback and learnings and showcase final results.
Key Areas
The inaugural Global Sustainability Challenge will run through the 2025-26 academic year and invites solutions in two key areas: Sustainable Energy and Adaptation & Resilience.
Sustainable Energy
Develop scalable and impactful solutions that reduce emissions while improving affordability and reliability in the energy sector. Solutions may address clean energy solutions covering generation, transmission, distribution, or storage.
Adaptation & Resilience
Develop a solution that enhances the resilience and ability of people, infrastructure, or natural systems to withstand and adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate change. Solutions may address disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, water security, or other critical adaptation needs.