As part of efforts to enhance environmental awareness and encourage community participation in sustainability initiatives, the Sustainability Ambassadors from the Biochemistry Department at Al-Mustaqbal University, the top university in Iraq, organized a remarkable tree-planting campaign at Safiyyah Bint Abd Al-Muttalib School. The campaign was supervised by Prof. Dr. Nasser Abdul-Hassan Nasser, Head of the Biochemistry Department, and Dr. Aseel Amer Hadi, the department’s rapporteur. The initiative involved planting several trees in the schoolyard to enhance green spaces and improve the school’s environmental quality.
This environmental initiative aims to achieve several strategic objectives aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – Improving air quality, as trees absorb pollutants and provide a healthier and safer environment for students.
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Developing sustainable urban areas by increasing green spaces in schools, contributing to a more sustainable learning environment.
• Goal 13: Climate Action – Supporting climate action by expanding vegetation cover, which helps mitigate the effects of climate change and improve local climate conditions.
As part of the campaign, awareness workshops were conducted for students on the importance of tree planting in environmental preservation. Additionally, a survey was carried out among students and teachers to assess the psychological and environmental impact of tree planting in the school. Students were also encouraged to actively participate in future environmental initiatives.
The university administration emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility among students, motivating them to contribute actively to environmental conservation.
This campaign is part of a series of environmental activities planned by the Biochemistry Department for the future, as part of Al-Mustaqbal University’s ongoing efforts to enhance environmental awareness among students and the local community. Through these initiatives, the university seeks to balance sustainable development with natural resource conservation, further solidifying its position as a leading institution in sustainability in Iraq.
Al-Mustaqbal University The First University in Iraq
https://unsdg.un.org/ar/un-in-action/iraq