SDG 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

SDG 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Al Maarefa University (Saudi Arabia) is committed to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through comprehensive policies, campus initiatives, research, and community engagement. This report outlines the university’s efforts and evidence in key areas aligned with the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings reporting format for SDG 7.

Campus Energy Policies and Efficiency Strategies

Al Maarefa University has instituted robust campus energy policies centered on efficiency and carbon reduction. The university’s Sustainability and Climate Action Policy serves as a strategic roadmap to embed climate-conscious and energy-saving practices in all operations [1]. Key objectives of this policy include setting measurable targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, implementing energy-efficient technologies to minimize consumption, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources in campus facilities [1]. In practice, the university has upgraded infrastructure, lighting, and systems with energy-efficient solutions to reduce overall energy usage and its carbon footprint [2]. This energy efficiency drive extends across campus utilities and buildings, ensuring that new projects incorporate low-energy designs and retrofits lower consumption in existing structures.

In addition to operational policies, Al Maarefa integrates sustainability into its governance and finance strategies. The university regularly assesses its carbon footprint and identifies areas for improvement as part of its climate action commitments [2]. These efforts have yielded tangible results: for example, total net emissions dropped by about 8% from 2021 to 2022, with a nearly 10% reduction in per capita emissions on campus [2]. To further support clean energy goals, Al Maarefa’s sustainable investment policy prioritizes funding for renewable energy and efficiency projects while avoiding investments in fossil fuel industries [3]. This holistic approach – spanning campus operations, monitoring, and even financial decisions – underpins the university’s commitment to energy sustainability and carbon reduction.

Renewable Energy Infrastructure and Initiatives

Al Maarefa University is actively incorporating renewable energy into its campus infrastructure and planning. In line with Vision 2030 and SDG 7 objectives, the university promotes on-site renewable energy installations (e.g. solar panels) to supply clean power for campus needs [1]. The climate action plan explicitly calls for increasing the use of renewable energy sources in university facilities, signaling a shift toward solar, wind, or other sustainable energy on campus [1]. Leading by example, Al Maarefa has begun demonstrating practical clean energy technologies on campus – visible projects that serve as models of sustainability for students and staff [2]. In its campus development, the university emphasizes green building design: new constructions and retrofits feature energy-efficient designs, modern insulation, and smart energy management systems to reduce demand [4]. These initiatives not only cut campus energy costs and emissions, but also visibly showcase affordable and clean energy solutions in action.

Moreover, the university’s integration of renewables is supported by partnerships that provide technical expertise and resources. Al Maarefa collaborates with industry and government stakeholders to implement clean energy projects, aligning campus efforts with national renewable energy programs [2]. Through these collaborative initiatives, the university is exploring technologies such as solar photovoltaic systems and energy-efficient cooling, leveraging Saudi Arabia’s abundant solar resource. While specific capacity figures are forthcoming as plans mature, the clear policy direction and early pilot projects underscore Al Maarefa University’s transition toward a more sustainable, low-carbon campus energy infrastructure.

Education and Research in Clean Energy

Academic programs and curriculum at Al Maarefa University are closely aligned with affordable and clean energy goals. The university offers courses and programs that cover renewable energy topics – including solar, wind, and sustainable power systems – thereby educating a skilled workforce for the clean energy sector [2]. Clean energy concepts are integrated across various disciplines; engineering and science programs, for instance, include content on energy technology, energy policy, and sustainability practices [2]. This integration ensures that graduates from diverse fields understand the importance of energy efficiency and renewable resources, preparing them to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition in multiple ways [2]. By embedding sustainability and energy topics into the curriculum, Al Maarefa is cultivating awareness and expertise in its student body that support SDG 7.

Al Maarefa University is also a hub of research and innovation in sustainable energy. Faculty and students engage in research projects focused on clean energy technologies, improved energy efficiency, and innovative solutions for sustainable power [2]. The university’s Center for Environmental Sustainability Research highlights “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency” as one of its core research areas [5], reflecting a strategic emphasis on advancing energy sustainability knowledge. Recent research endeavors have included exploring novel solar energy forecasting methods and smart-grid management techniques, contributing to the scientific and practical understanding of clean energy deployment. These research outputs not only enhance academic scholarship but also provide practical solutions to energy challenges, from optimizing solar power generation to improving building energy management [2]. Through conferences, publications, and collaborations, Al Maarefa’s researchers are contributing to the global dialogue on affordable and clean energy while driving innovation locally.

Community Outreach and Clean Energy Partnerships

Al Maarefa University extends its clean energy mission beyond campus through active community outreach and partnerships. The university organizes workshops, seminars, and public awareness campaigns in the local community to promote the benefits of clean and affordable energy [2]. These outreach programs educate residents about energy conservation practices, such as efficient appliance use and reducing reliance on non-renewable fuels, thereby empowering the community with knowledge to lower energy costs and emissions. By engaging local schools, civic groups, and the general public, Al Maarefa helps spread awareness of renewable energy options (like solar home systems) and basic energy-saving measures in everyday life [2]. Such efforts are particularly beneficial for underserved neighborhoods where energy education and access may be limited, aligning with the SDG 7 aim of energy for all.

Strategic partnerships amplify the impact of these outreach initiatives. Al Maarefa University collaborates with government agencies, nonprofits, and industry partners to bring clean energy projects and education to the community [2]. For example, working with municipal authorities, the university has co-hosted energy efficiency drives and provided expertise for local solar pilot programs. On a national scale, Al Maarefa contributes academic experts to policy discussions on renewable energy and offers training programs open to the public on topics like home energy efficiency. These partnerships ensure that the university’s knowledge and resources support wider efforts to improve affordable energy access. By building multi-stakeholder collaborations, Al Maarefa University helps implement clean energy solutions in the community – from awareness campaigns to hands-on sustainable energy projects – thereby fulfilling its social responsibility in advancing SDG 7 beyond the campus gates.

Participation in National and International Initiatives

Al Maarefa University actively participates in broader sustainable energy initiatives at both the national and international levels. The university aligns its energy strategies with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes renewable energy expansion and energy efficiency improvements across the Kingdom [1]. This alignment is evident in Al Maarefa’s policies and programs that echo national targets – for instance, campus efforts to conserve electricity and adopt solar energy contribute to the country’s renewable energy capacity goals under Vision 2030. University representatives also engage with government-led programs such as the Saudi Energy Efficiency Program, lending academic support to policy development and implementation of energy-saving measures in key sectors. By integrating national directives into its operations, Al Maarefa serves as a model institution supporting the country’s clean energy transformation.

Internationally, Al Maarefa University embraces collaboration to further SDG 7. The institution has pledged to participate in partnerships and dialogues globally to address energy sustainability and climate challenges [1]. It is a proactive member of networks that promote sustainable development in higher education, sharing best practices and data on energy usage and renewables integration. Al Maarefa’s commitment to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings itself reflects an engagement with international standards and benchmarking on SDGs. Additionally, the university fosters research collaborations with global institutions on renewable energy topics, facilitating knowledge exchange across borders. Through these national and international engagements, Al Maarefa ensures its efforts are not in isolation: they contribute to and are reinforced by the wider movement towards affordable, clean energy worldwide. The university’s role in these initiatives underscores its status as a key stakeholder in sustainable energy discourse and action, from local government committees to global academic forums.

Student and Faculty-Led Innovation in Clean Energy

Innovation in clean energy at Al Maarefa University is driven from the ground up by passionate students and dedicated faculty. A vibrant student-led sustainability society, known as the Club of Experts, provides a platform for students to discuss and act on global environmental and energy issues. With a strong focus on climate change and sustainable solutions, the Club of Experts enables students to share research findings, exchange innovative ideas, and advocate for renewable energy and efficiency on campus and beyond [6]. The club regularly hosts events such as research symposia where students present clean energy projects, and it invites guest speakers (including energy industry professionals and policymakers) to enrich the dialogue [6]. This empowers students from all disciplines to become informed advocates and innovators in the realm of affordable and clean energy, complementing their academic learning with practical initiatives.

Faculty members complement student enthusiasm with their own clean energy innovations and mentorship. Professors incorporate real-world energy problems into classroom projects and supervise student capstone projects on topics like solar power systems, battery storage, and energy-efficient architecture. Many faculty research projects – often conducted in collaboration with students – tackle pressing energy issues in the Saudi context, such as optimizing photovoltaic performance in the desert climate or developing smart grid algorithms for better energy management. The university supports these efforts through its research centers and by securing funding for sustainability-related projects. Al Maarefa’s institutional support and culture of innovation have led to notable outcomes, including prototypes of smart energy devices developed by student teams and scholarly publications in sustainable energy engineering. By fostering such student and faculty-led innovation, Al Maarefa University ensures a continuous pipeline of new ideas and solutions that advance SDG 7. The hands-on projects, competitions, and research emerging from the university community not only enrich the educational experience but also contribute tangible advancements in affordable and clean energy technology and practice [2] [5].

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