Goal 2 META University implements a comprehensive and practice-oriented model for ensuring food sustainability, aimed at forming an affordable, high-quality and sustainable food system for students and staff, as well as the development of competencies in sustainable agriculture and rational consumption of resources, while the university's approach covers both educational and research activities and campus operational processes
The university has introduced a system of affordable meals, which provides for a differentiated pricing policy and social support mechanisms, including the provision of discounts on meals for students from socially vulnerable categories, as well as the development of a separate affordable menu with fixed social prices, which allows to ensure basic food accessibility for all students regardless of their financial situation, and partial compensation programs are additionally implemented and special offers in campus canteens aimed at reducing students' daily costs
The food system is integrated with the principles of sustainable development, including the introduction of elements of responsible consumption and the reduction of food waste, practices for processing organic waste are being implemented, including the use of leftover vegetables and fruits for further use for agricultural purposes, which forms a circular economy model at the campus level and helps to reduce the environmental burden
In educational and scientific activities, the university is actively developing the direction of sustainable agriculture and food security, the key element is the introduction of hydroponic installations and agrotechnological projects within the framework of the Living Lab model, where students participate in the cultivation of agricultural products with minimal use of water and resources, which allows them to form applied skills in sustainable production and an innovative approach to food systems
In addition, META University is implementing a number of innovative projects aimed at strengthening its contribution to SDG 2, including the creation of the campus initiative "Smart Food Campus", which provides for digital accounting of consumption and optimization of nutrition, the launch of the "Zero Food Waste" project, aimed at reducing food losses and redistributing surpluses to social initiatives, as well as the development of student startups in the field of agrotech and foodtech, including projects to automate plant cultivation, monitoring yields and creating sustainable supply chains
Students are actively involved in the implementation of these initiatives through ESG clubs and project activities, participate in the development of solutions to optimize nutrition, reduce waste and implement sustainable practices, while the level of student involvement in ESG projects reaches at least 60 percent, which confirms the systematic integration of sustainable development into the educational process
The result of the implementation of these initiatives is to ensure the availability of food for students, reduce food and financial barriers, form a culture of responsible consumption, as well as develop practical competencies in the field of sustainable agriculture and food security, the long-term effect is expressed in the formation of a sustainable campus model, reducing food waste, increasing social support for students and training specialists who are able to to develop and implement innovative solutions in the field of food sustainability
Thus, META University demonstrates a systematic and measurable contribution to the achievement of SDG 2 through the integration of sustainable food practices into infrastructure, education and research, ensuring not only access to nutrition, but also the formation of sustainable production and consumption patterns, which meets the requirements of the QS Sustainability Ranking and international standards for sustainable development
