Universities, industries and sustainable development: Outcomes of the 2017 G7 Environment Ministerial Meeting

During the G7 Environment Ministerial Meeting under the Italian Presidency which took place in Bologna, Italy, 11–12 June 2017, representatives from Universities and Research Institutes and from the major industries of the G7 countries joined two Ministerial side events to identify current and future priorities for implementing Sustainable Development (SD) in the G7 countries. This article is built on materials produced in both side events with the aim of deepening the role of universities for SD. The major findings of the G7 Environment Ministerial Meeting are presented, with a focus on sustainable teaching and learning, university research for SD and effective cooperation between universities and industries. The recommendations have more general implications for the role of universities in addressing public policies. Universities have the core responsibility to promote a systemic approach in relation to the multiple societal challenges and to influence policy makers, but the leadership for SD implies the ability to build partnerships with other universities and networks of shared value with all relevant stakeholders of SD.