The term ‘sustainable development’ might have been considered another jargon in the environmentalist lexicon when it was first coined in 1987 on the pages of the Brundtland Commission Report. However, during the last score of years, the notion has become a popular discourse which we hear not just in the news or social campaigns but in commercial ads as well.

Its omnipresence is no exception at SNU, as environmental awareness has been an ‘it’ issue both in and after class. And with the establishment of the Asian Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability (AIEES) in November 2009, SNU’s devotion to sustainable development seems greater than ever.

Stating its mission as threefold --to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, to build a network among various social sectors, and to take on SNU’s social responsibility-- AIEES aims to embody itself as not just another research center but a social institution which integrates theory and practice.

Toward this aim, AIEES made great endeavors to establish both academic and non-academic ties. The Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS), a government-funded institution, was first to agree upon sharing resources to conduct collaborative studies pertaining to prospective policies and legislation.

And in the business sector, the Homeplus Group, one of the leading retailers in the country, joined the partnership with AIEES to provide funds specified for the promotion of public awareness of ‘green consumption’ and the education of future leaders about eco-friendly development models.

These collaborations are coupled with AIEES’s ‘Sustainable SNU’ campaign which underscores the university’s social responsibility in the local community. The campaign includes conservation activities around the perimeters, reducing CO2 emission on campus, and an on-line pledge to sustainable organizational practices.

As its name implies, the scope of AIEES extends beyond domestic boundaries to create a network among Asian countries, and currently, the institute is utilizing its resources to take initiatives in international cooperation.


January 28, 2010
SNU PR Office