Ecological Transition, how to get a shift from “we’re doing our best” to “we’re doing what’s needed”? How the Doughnut economy framework and a citizen assembly are shaping the University of Lausanne’s sustainability strategy

Abstract

Having been engaged in sustainability for many years, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) decided in 2021 to bring the impacts of its operations within planetary boundaries. To achieve this, it first adopted a measurement tool to assess the “height of the step”: the UNIL Doughnut, based on the Kate Raworth’s works. This conceptual framework enables the university to identify areas of overshoot and set clear targets. In parallel, a randomly selected citizen assembly was established during the 2022–2023 academic year, tasked with proposing measures to UNIL’s leadership that could guide the institution back within the limits defined by the Doughnut. Based on the Doughnut’s findings and the assembly’s report, UNIL’s leadership drafted a strategy outlining quantified objectives for the year 2037.