Sustainability Literacy Assessment
In line with our commitment to promoting sustainability awareness, the Near East University Sustainability Office has developed a Sustainability Literacy Assessment. This assessment aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of our university community regarding sustainable practices and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We invite all students, academic, and administrative staff to participate in this brief assessment to help us identify areas for improvement and enhance our sustainability initiatives.
The test includes 20 multiple-choice questions and 10 Likert-scale questions designed to evaluate sustainability-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. It is available in both English and Turkish.
Click below to take the test:
- Sustainability Literacy Test: https://forms.gle/VEPRnwPFM9dXFVRf9
- Sürdürülebilirlik Okuryazarlığı Testi: https://forms.gle/qXTsGCwwVQCT6x3x8
Sustainability Literacy Assessment : 2024-2025 Academic Year
As part of Near East University’s 2024–2025 academic year sustainability evaluation efforts, a university-wide Sustainability Literacy Assessment was conducted. The assessment aimed to measure the knowledge, awareness, and behaviors of students and staff regarding sustainability principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The test included multiple-choice questions as well as Likert-scale items designed to assess sustainability-related attitudes.
Among the respondents, students made up approximately 61%, while academic and administrative staff accounted for 37%, with a small percentage (2%) identifying as graduate students. In terms of educational background, 41% of participants held a bachelor’s degree, followed by 27% with a doctorate, and 14% with a high school diploma, reflecting a diverse academic profile across the university community.
This assessment provides valuable insight into the university’s current standing on sustainability literacy and will inform future initiatives related to climate strategy, curriculum integration, and institutional engagement with the SDGs.
Key Findings from the Sustainability Literacy Assessment
The analysis of the multiple-choice section of the Sustainability Literacy Assessment revealed key strengths as well as areas for improvement across the university community.
Strengths
Participants demonstrated high awareness in several core areas:
- Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12): Over 78% correctly identified reducing food waste as a key action.
- Climate action (SDG 13): A majority of respondents recognized energy efficiency and emission reduction as central to institutional sustainability.
- Green spaces and sustainable cities (SDG 11): Most participants were able to identify the importance of increasing green urban areas.
These results suggest a solid foundational understanding of everyday sustainability practices among participants.
Areas for Improvement
Several topics showed lower levels of correct responses, indicating potential knowledge gaps:
- Scope 3 emissions and institutional carbon footprint: Misunderstandings were evident around indirect emissions categories, such as transportation and supply chain impacts.
- SDG-specific associations: In some cases, participants struggled to link certain actions (e.g., community gardens or flexible work arrangements) with their respective SDGs.
- Water-related sustainability (SDG 6): Correct response rates were noticeably lower, suggesting the need for greater awareness around water reuse and sanitation strategies.
Recommendations for Educational Planning
Based on the findings, the following topics are recommended for targeted sustainability education efforts:
Students
- Understanding carbon footprints and emission categories (Scope 1–2–3)
- Daily sustainable behaviors (waste, energy, transport)
- SDG identification and relevance in everyday life
Academic Staff
- Integration of SDGs into curriculum and teaching materials
- Interdisciplinary approaches to climate and sustainability challenges
- University-led sustainability research and impact measurement
Administrative Staff
- Sustainable procurement and campus operations
- Waste reduction practices and reporting
- Role of administrative units in climate action planning
These insights will inform future workshops, course design, and engagement strategies, ensuring that sustainability awareness becomes a living part of Near East University’s institutional culture.
Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Sustainability
The analysis of Likert-scale responses in the Sustainability Literacy Assessment indicates that participants generally exhibit a strong alignment with core sustainability values and practices.
Positive Attitudes and Habits
- Energy-saving behavior emerged as the most internalized habit, with over 73% of participants strongly agreeing that energy efficiency is important in daily life.
- Recycling was also highly normalized, with more than 57% of respondents strongly agreeing that it is part of their daily routine.
- Personal responsibility for climate action was affirmed by over 63%, indicating an encouraging level of self-awareness regarding environmental impact.
Areas with Lower Engagement
- While the majority agreed with environmentally friendly transportation, only 37% strongly agreed that they actively choose public transport or bicycles.
- The statement on purchasing sustainable products saw more neutral responses, with just under 50% strongly agreeing, suggesting a gap between awareness and purchasing behavior.
Interpretation & Implications
These findings reveal a solid foundation of sustainability-conscious behavior, particularly around energy and waste. However, behavioral adoption around sustainable consumption and transportation choices remains an area of improvement — possibly due to affordability, infrastructure, or habit-related barriers.
To address these gaps, Near East University can consider:
- Campaigns that promote sustainable product literacy and responsible consumption.
- Incentives or logistical improvements to encourage greener transportation modes.
- Further behavioral nudging through visibility, reminders, and student-led initiatives.
This behavioral insight complements the knowledge-based findings and reinforces the importance of integrating sustainability not only into knowledge systems, but also into daily habits and institutional culture.
University Students' Knowledge of Sustainability and Behavioral Practices: 2023-2024 Academic Year
To raise sustainability awareness and assess its students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding sustainability, Near East University conducted a research study as requested by its Quality Unit. This research was carried out by Isra Mustafa Mohamed Elamin, a PhD student from the Department of Innovation and Knowledge Management, during the Fall Semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. 500 students from various faculties and departments participated in the study. A survey measuring students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sustainability was used in the research.
According to the findings, 53.2% of students are aware of the university's sustainability initiatives, yet 52.4% are unaware of the opportunities to participate in sustainability-related workshops and events. On the other hand, 75.4% of students believe sustainability should be prioritised in university life and 76.8% support energy-saving practices. However, the data revealed a discrepancy between students' sustainability knowledge and their application of this knowledge in their daily lives; only 42% reported regularly engaging in sustainable practices (such as turning off lights in classrooms and adhering to recycling guidelines).
In response to these findings, the Near East University Board of Directors has decided to offer an elective course titled "Sustainable Development and Education" across the university in the Fall Semester of 2024-2025. This course aims to encourage students to integrate sustainability concepts into their daily lives and career goals and enhance their understanding of environmental, social, and economic issues while promoting global collaboration and partnerships. The course will follow a modular structure, covering a wide range of topics, from ending poverty to access to clean energy and climate action.
Given the identified gaps, the university plans to organize mandatory training sessions and workshops to increase sustainability awareness and create competitions and clubs to encourage active student participation. By fostering sustainability consciousness among students, the goal is to impact their academic and professional lives positively.