Amid mounting ecological disruption, Jesuit universities are being called to bold, coordinated climate action.
The closing plenary of the 2025 Assembly of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU), held at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, from June 30 to July 3, focused on “Environmental Justice: Responding to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor.” It brought together leaders from around the world to assess Jesuit universities’ response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and to strengthen the network’s role as a driver of ecological and social transformation.
According to the Stockholm Resilience Center, six of nine planetary boundaries have already been transgressed, placing the planet’s stability in serious jeopardy. This crisis, deeply intertwined with poverty, inequality, and displacement, demands systemic change—and higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to lead.
To understand and improve how Jesuit institutions are responding, two landmark surveys were introduced:
· The Society-wide “PAU4 Survey,” presented by Fr. Roberto Jaramillo, S.J. (Society of Jesus’ Secretariat for Social Justice and Ecology), gathered input from over 1,400 Jesuit collaborators across six global regions. It identified widespread efforts in non-“cosmetic” interventions, including education and grassroots initiatives, and opportunities to strengthen and scale impacts.
· The IAJU Eco-Social Inventory, presented by Dr. Michael Schuck (Loyola University Chicago, USA), mapped 355 earth-care practices across four dimensions of university life: institutional operations, academic affairs, co-curricular engagement, and civic partnerships. The Inventory not only measures existing efforts but also serves as a resource for sharing best practices and inspiring action.
The following best practices, drawn from plenary presentations, offer a roadmap for Jesuit university leaders ready to embrace this call to ecological justice.
1. Make Environmental Leadership a Strategic Priority
“If we want to build ecological citizenship, the president must make it a top priority.” —Dr. Nancy Tuchman, Loyola University Chicago (USA)
Action:
· Embed environmental goals in strategic plans and mission statements.
· Back leadership with budget and executive-level accountability.
· Align infrastructure planning and financial decisions with sustainability targets.