Sustainable Universities and Cities Benchmarking
September 24, 8am-5pm Ateneo de Manila, Quezon City
Embedded Files
Background & Rationale
Background & Rationale
Universities in Quezon City have the long-term institutional capacity to lead climate action, sustainability innovation, and regenerative practices. This program, organized by ADMU, Quezon City Government, Quezon City University, Climate Action Labs, and partners, introduces participants to the benchmarking tools from the QS Sustainability Rankings, Net Positive University principles, and the Oxford Regeneration Lab’s regenerative metrics.
A key feature of the program is the use of the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) methodology. PDIA enables participating universities to break down complex sustainability challenges into manageable, context-specific problems, experiment with solutions through iteration, learn from real-world results, and adapt strategies dynamically.
The program also integrates AI-supported learning tools to enhance university benchmarking, scenario analysis, and sustainability action planning. These AI tools will assist participants in data analysis, progress tracking, and identifying high-leverage opportunities for improvement.
Through Climate Action Labs and Living Labs, the program creates platforms for piloting, scaling, and mainstreaming innovations that align with Quezon City’s climate priorities.
Click here to fill out the participant response form.
Click here to access the AI-supported University Sustainability benchmarking tool.
Program Objectives
Program Objectives
The objectives of this workshop
Co-develop the QC City-University Partnership framework to advance the QC climate education and innovation ecosystem
Explore benchmarking to improve university sustainability performance using QS Sustainability Rankings, Ateneo 4th Sustainability Report, Net Positive criteria, Oxford Regeneration Lab, and City-University Partnership metrics.
Discuss approach to establishing Climate Action Labs chapters/hubs in universities, alumni associations, and barangays as Living Labs to serve as real-world prototypes for climate adaptation and urban regeneration
Program Structure
Program Structure
Cohort Learning Teams
Each university is invited to activate 2-30 student research teams to contribute to any of 9 Quezon City Climate Action Pillars based on the QC Climate Action Plan
Teams will use PDIA and AI-supported analysis to frame problems, test solutions in their campuses, share learning across the cohort, and refine their strategies over the year.
Teams encouraged to collaborate with counterparts in other partner universities in QC to accelerate multi-site prototyping and analyses. Project progress will be shared online on platforms similar to this (click here).
Pre-Workshop Online Information Session (90 minutes)
Overview of program objectives, structure, and expectations
Introduction to QS, Net Positive, and Regeneration Lab benchmarks
Brief orientation on PDIA methodology and its application in the program
Demonstration of AI tools for benchmarking and planning
Pre-workshop tasks: baseline data collection, stakeholder mapping, initial sustainability reflections
Click here to fill out the participant response form.
Sept.24, 2025 In-Person Module 1 Program
Sept.24, 2025 In-Person Module 1 Program
Venue: Heyden Hall, Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University
Morning – Setting the Foundations
08:30–09:00 | Registration
09:00–09:20 | Welcome Remarks
Ateneo leadership
Quezon City Government
Climate Action Labs
09:20–09:40 | Program Orientation
10-month structure & deliverables
Introduction to Learning Teams & thematic tracks
09:40–10:20 | Plenary 1 – Benchmarking Frameworks
QS Sustainability Rankings
Net Positive University principles
Oxford Regeneration Lab regenerative metrics
Overview of AI tools for benchmarking
10:20–10:40 | Plenary 2 – From Net Zero to Regenerative Impact
10:40–11:00 | Break
Late Morning – Benchmarking & Adaptive Problem-Solving
11:00–11:40 | Workshop 1 – Sustainability Self-Assessment
11:40–12:20 | Workshop 2 – Introduction to PDIA and AI Tools
Steps: Problem framing, deconstruction, iteration, adaptation
Applying PDIA and AI insights to thematic track challenges
12:20–13:30 | Networking Lunch
Afternoon – Sustainability Tour & PDIA Launch
13:30–15:30 | Guided Sustainability Tour of Ateneo Campus
Renewable energy systems
Waste segregation & recycling programs
Water conservation
Biodiversity sites
Sustainable buildings
Green spaces
Community engagement initiatives
15:30–16:15 | Workshop 3 – Mapping the First PDIA & AI-Supported Iteration
16:15–16:45 | Team Action Commitments & Milestones
16:45–17:00 | Closing Remarks & Group Photo
QC partners with Minecraft to crowdsource city redesign projects to schools through digital prototyping.
Bulacan State University students win in the C40 reinventing cities challenge for their Payatas Controlled Disposal Faciity Project for Quezon City..
Click here to fill out the participant response form.
Module 1 – In-Person Kickoff (Full Day at Ateneo de Manila University)
Orientation and program commitments
Sustainability self-assessment using QS, Net Positive, and Regeneration Lab frameworks
Introduction to PDIA methodology for adaptive problem-solving
Introduction to AI-supported sustainability planning
Thematic track assignments and initial action planning within learning teams
2-hour guided Sustainability Tour of Ateneo campus, highlighting:
Renewable energy systems
Waste segregation and recycling programs
Water conservation measures
Biodiversity conservation sites
Sustainable buildings and green spaces
Community engagement initiatives
Modules 2–10 – Monthly Online Sessions (1.5 hours)
PDIA problem framing and iteration updates per team
Thematic deep dives with expert mentors
AI-supported progress reviews and forecasting
Peer learning and solution refinement
Quarterly In-Person Learning Circles (Half-Day, rotating host)
Q1: Track 1 host – PDIA iteration reviews on Energy & Net Zero
Q2: Track 2 host – PDIA iteration reviews on Circular Economy
Q3: Track 3 host – PDIA iteration reviews on Regeneration & Resilience
Includes cross-team sharing of lessons learned from PDIA and AI-supported analyses
Key Program Components
Key Program Components
Three-Layer Benchmarking – QS Sustainability, Net Positive University, Oxford Regeneration Lab.
PDIA-Driven Change Process – Breaking down problems, experimenting, learning, adapting.
AI-Supported Learning & Planning – Using AI for data analysis, progress tracking, and opportunity mapping.
Climate Action Labs & Living Labs – Pilots and prototypes tested in real campus operations.
University–City Collaboration Platform – Jointly advancing innovation pipelines with city government.
Learning Teams – Small-group peer learning for thematic depth and problem-solving.
Global Learning Linkages – Participation in CBGL APAC Hub to share best practices and foster international collaboration.
Expected Outcomes
Expected Outcomes
Improved QS and Net Positive University scores across all participating universities.
Institutional capacity in adaptive leadership, PDIA methodology, and AI-enabled decision-making for sustainability challenges.
Operational Climate Action Labs with documented PDIA and AI-supported learning cycles.
At least 10 student-led climate/regenerative startups in incubation or pilot phase.
Strengthened international linkages through CBGL APAC Hub membership.
References:
https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/research/regeneration-lab
https://www.ateneo.edu/news/2025/02/06/ais-launches-fourth-sustainability-report
Click here to fill out the participant response form.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse