As the world struggles to meet its carbon reduction goals, daily evidence of climate change makes more urgent progress imperative. Higher education in countries such as Bulgaria needs to do its part by modeling best practices and preparing students for careers in sustainability.
“As educators, we have a responsibility to prepare our students to lead in a world where sustainability is fundamental,” says President Dr. Margee Ensign. “By integrating sustainability into our educational framework, we’re setting a standard that we hope will extend well beyond our campus.”
Sustainability education spans the curriculum, extra-curricular initiatives, and campus life. So how can institutions implement it into their campuses and programs? Experts and visiting lecturers at AUBG share their insights.
Integrating sustainability into the curriculum
The curriculum sets a foundation for sustainable education and lifestyle. AUBG recently introduced its first environmental-focused minor, Sustainability Studies, reflecting a growing trend in universities worldwide to offer programs such as Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development. These programs cover areas from environmental science, policy, and ethics to energy and resource management.
William Clark, Professor in Environmental Science and Biology at AUBG, emphasizes the need for a holistic approach: “Sustainability is such an interdisciplinary field that you can’t just focus on one aspect; rather, you need to look at the whole.”
Daniel Adsett, Professor in Business Ethics and Philosophy at AUBG, adds: “The goal is to integrate sustainability subjects across disciplines – from business to political science, history, economics, and even literature. This ensures that students will know how to implement sustainability into any career and will see its intrinsic value, both in terms of reducing the negative impacts humans have on the environment and for its own sake.”
On the importance of introducing environmental-focused education, Dr. J.D. Mininger, Provost at AUBG, said: “Integrating sustainability into our academic programs, research initiatives, and partnerships ensures that we remain at the forefront of educational excellence while fostering a future that is both equitable and sustainable.
“By prioritizing sustainability, we affirm our commitment to equipping students with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to address global challenges responsibly and effectively.”
A growing need for green education
Prior to launching the minor, students were surveyed to determine the appeal of such a program. The results showed that 61% felt a Sustainability Studies minor made the institution more attractive to them.
With courses covering key aspects of sustainability, students will be better equipped to tackle an imminent future where green skills are essential.
“Research has shown that people with credentials in environmental or sustainability studies have higher prospects of getting hired right now, especially in the EU,” explains Professor Adsett.
A new LinkedIn report supports this, revealing that hiring rates for green talent are outpacing overall workforce growth. In the United States, the hiring rate for green skills is 80.3% higher than the overall rate, while globally, the rate for green talent is 54.6% above the general workforce rate.
Despite this momentum, a substantial gap in sustainability expertise remains. According to LinkedIn’s report, the global demand for green talent grew by 11.6% from 2023 to 2024, while the supply only rose by 5.6%. If this trend continues, the shortage of skilled green talent could reach an alarming 101.5% by 2050.
There is a lack of development among sustainability professionals too. Research by Climate Change Coaches and Oxford Brookes Business School found that sustainability professionals significantly lack “soft skills,” hindering progress towards climate goals. Many feel ill-equipped to influence, inspire, and engage stakeholders, with only 8% prioritizing technical skills over soft skills.
President Dr. Margee Ensign elaborates: “Soft skills such as fostering collaboration, empowering individuals, and providing clear guidance are crucial for navigating the green transition in organizations. Roles in environmental policy and leadership require both technical expertise and the ability to inspire and explain, to organize and to lead – traits we strive to instill at AUBG. Our mission is to cultivate democratic, ethical leaders who can make a meaningful impact on the world.”
Student-led sustainability initiatives
Equally impactful as formal education are student-led clubs and organizations that unite those with a strong commitment to environmental action, regardless of their academic focus.
Initiatives such as tree-planting and recycling workshops empower students to deepen their connection with the earth and recognize their individual impact.
A Sustainability Club, for example, allows members to consolidate their knowledge and leverage the collective power in the student body to drive change.
Amelia Delevski, President of the Sustainability Club at AUBG, commented: “The role of the club within the AUBG community cannot be overstated – during a critical transition to a more sustainable campus, the Sustainability Club aims to educate, motivate, and connect the student body. We empower students to seek and create meaningful change in the community by collective action, reminding them that they are part of a larger movement working toward a sustainable future.”
Motivated students are a force to be reckoned with. A recent study shows that Generation Z, the largest university cohort, has a significant influence on their peers and other generations, particularly when it comes to making sustainability-first purchasing decisions. They are also the generation most concerned for the planet’s wellbeing, as the impacts of climate change and human activity loom over their futures.
This generation’s agency is crucial in driving sustainable practices and institutionalizing them.
Institutionalizing sustainability
To institutionalize sustainability, universities must integrate it into their operations and must lead by example.
Under Dr. Margee Ensign, a leader who has made notable positive changes in communities in sub-Saharan Africa and in the U.S., AUBG has taken steps to set the tone for a sustainable future among institutions in Southeast Europe. Known for her impactful work at the American University in Nigeria and other universities, Dr. Ensign aims to bring similar progress to the region.
When it comes to sustainability, Dr. Ensign has already drafted the first steps to making it an institutional policy, appointing Aelita Khusnutdinova (‘24) as the first Presidential Fellow for Sustainability to help develop the university’s sustainability strategy. Establishing a dedicated sustainability role or office is crucial for coordinated action, measurable progress, and making lasting contributions to environmental stewardship.
Additionally, Prof. Ezra Winton invited sustainability consultant Geneva Guerin, his former classmate at Concordia University, to lead a workshop on campus sustainability assessment. The event strenghtened AUBG’s sutainability efforts and laid the groundwork for the Pilot Waste Audit at the university in late February 2025. By measuring everything from energy efficiency to waste reduction and involving students, faculty, and staff, institutions can set sustainability goals that align with global standards.
Geneva Guerin says: “With the right tools, intention, and readiness, the next step is to complete the assessment and integrate sustainability into the university’s strategy through formal policy.”
In the early ‘90s, Guerin was a pioneer in the campus sustainability movement, developing with fellow students the first campus sustainability assessment framework at Concordia University.
Today, tools and available technologies offer more opportunities than ever to embed sustainability into the fabric of universities. Combined with the proactive mindset of Gen Z students, the commitment of environmentally focused faculty and staff, and a growing sense of urgency driven by our collective consciousness, we have the potential to create a better tomorrow.
