The implementation of environment protection principles into the higher education system began more than thirty years ago. Today most universities have their own sustainability programs. Minin University is no exception. We understand the need to maintain and increase the 'natural' capital. During the years of the program, the university made significant changes to its internal processes including initiatives related to the facilities infrastructure, saving energy, waste management, water conservation, transport policies. We also paid special attention to the content of 'environmental' scientific and educational events. On top of that, Minin University annually participates in the international ranking of 'green' universities (IU GreenMetric) and traditionally enters the best ten Russian universities in this list.
In order to develop student social initiatives Minin university formed an environmental association "Green Minin". Moreover, Minin university annually takes part in the international "green" ranking of universities "UI GreenMetric". Every year Minin university improves its position there and has become one of the best Russian universities in the sphere of ecology (the 7th place in 2019). Since 2020, Minin University has joined the ranking of "green" Russian universities.

Department of Environmental Education and Management is one of the initiators of the Minin university ecological development. The department was founded in 1991 and became one of the first departments of environmental education in Russia, as well as the only one in the region, providing professional training on the major "Environmental management and audit".
The Department of Environmental Education and Management regularly participates in:
Results of research work are reflected in monographs, textbooks, teaching guide books and scientific periodicals. Over the past three years the department has published more than 200 scientific articles, including ones in foreign journals of the Web of Science and / or Scopus citation bases.
Results of research work are reflected in monographs, textbooks, teaching guide books and scientific periodicals. Over the past three years the department has published more than 200 scientific articles, including ones in foreign journals of the Web of Science and / or Scopus citation bases.
Results of research work are reflected in monographs, textbooks, teaching guide books and scientific periodicals. Over the past three years the department has published more than 200 scientific articles, including ones in foreign journals of the Web of Science and / or Scopus citation bases.
Results of research work are reflected in monographs, textbooks, teaching guide books and scientific periodicals. Over the past three years the department has published more than 200 scientific articles, including ones in foreign journals of the Web of Science and / or Scopus citation bases.
Sustainable Development Program of Minin university
Waste management policy
Reducing paper use (electronic document flow)
Development of the electronic library system
Separate garbage collection
Organization of bookcrossing
Water resources policy
Touch-sensitive (automatic) mixers
Infrared sensors
Built-in aerators
Refusal to heat water
Drinking fountains instead of bottled water
Student association "Green Minin"
The main goal of the association is to improve environmental knowledge and culture of Minin university students and employees.
30 +
More than 30 events per year
4 670
kilograms of paper have been collected
150
kilograms of plastic have been collected
3 500
people participate in the events of the association