Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: A Case Study of the University of Barcelona

The 2030 Agenda, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, establishes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, addressing climate change, and ensuring global peace, justice, and prosperity. These universal goals require the mobilization of creativity, technology, and resources from all societies, involving governments, businesses, civil organizations, and individuals. Integrating the SDGs into university educational programs is crucial for promoting a more just and sustainable society. Various strategies have been proposed to incorporate sustainability into university curricula, such as including environmental topics in existing courses, developing new chairs, and offering specializations. The University of Barcelona has begun implementing actions aligned with the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, committing to a transformative education model. This study examines how the SDGs are integrated into education degrees, highlighting the importance of fostering sustainability competencies as defined by UNESCO. The results suggest that, although training programs include content related to the SDGs, there is a need to increase the direct representation of these goals and sustainability competencies in teaching plans. It concludes that the effective incorporation of the SDGs in higher education is essential for preparing future professionals as change agents in building a more sustainable and just society.