Life on land

6

Maintaining terrestrial ecosystems through education

In 2024, TSATU organized and actively participated in events aimed at promoting the preservation and sustainable use of land, including forests and wildlands:

  1. An important contribution to expert monitoring and advocacy for land conservation is the expert assessment provided by Maksym Hanchuk, Head of the Department of Geoecology and Land Management at TSATU, in the media space. He gave clarification to a wide range of interested parties regarding the destructive impact of occupation-related activities, in particular the improper clearing of the Malyi Utlyuk River and the use of artesian water for irrigation, on the ecosystems and fertile soils of the Melitopol region, which poses a threat of desertification;
  2. A positive contribution to the direct development of personnel potential for ecosystem restoration was made by Polina Telyuk, a lecturer of the Department of Geoecology and Land Management, who took part in an international project in partnership with the Royal Agricultural University, which was focused on training experts in soil assessment and the restoration of areas affected by hostilities;
  3. The participation of lecturers of the Department of Crop and Horticulture, along with students, in the International Conference Organic Cereals and Oil Crops: Production, Processing and Export serves as evidence of the dissemination of knowledge about organic technologies and sustainable agriculture as an alternative to intensive land use;
  4. The organization of a meeting of lecturers and students with the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southern District, strengthened the practices of using the EcoZagroza web resource and expanded the involvement of public inspectors in order to raise awareness among young people and promote public monitoring of the state of the environment;
  5. Participation of Elnara Ayubova, a lecturer of the Department of Geoecology and Land Management, in the congress of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds – an organization engaged in the protection of wild fauna and the preservation of ecosystems;
  6. Participation of the students majoring in Geodesy and Land Management in the panel discussion on the analysis of the development of the agricultural land market and lease relations since the opening of the land market (supported by the APD Expert Dialogue on Land Issues) contributes to the sustainable and well-grounded use of land resources.

TSATU has extensive experience in training specialists in Ecology through the implementation of bachelor’s and master’s level educational programmes. These programmes include a range of disciplines focused on the study, research, protection, preservation, and restoration of wild flora and fauna. Among the core educational components are: Biogeography, Nature Reserve Management, Population and Biocenotic Research Methods, Forestry and Forest Landscapes, Ecology of Biocenoses, and Legal Support, Cadastre, and Monitoring of the Nature Reserve Fund (NRF), etc. The educational programme of the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education equips students with the ability to justify the need for and develop measures aimed at preserving landscape and biological diversity, as well as establishing an ecological network.

The programme includes additional learning outcomes proposed by the higher education institution: to understand the peculiarities and patterns governing population dynamics, their role in the formation and preservation of biodiversity, to integrate population analysis methods for conducting monitoring studies within the Nature Reserve Fund (NRF) system and ensuring rational environmental management; to be able to apply in practice approaches to the assessment of ecological and economic damage and harm caused to the environment by military actions; to monitor and forecast further changes in disturbed ecosystems; propose adaptive measures for stabilising conditions and restoring affected areas. The master’s level educational programme contains an additional learning outcome proposed by the higher education institution: to be able to conduct research and innovation activities within the territories, sites and institutions of the Nature Reserve Fund, which enables students to apply their acquired competencies in real-world ecosystem conservation efforts.

TSATU is the only agrotechnological university of Zaporizhzhia region, and has extensive experience in training specialists in Geodesy and Land Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Viticulture at both bachelor’s and master’s levels of higher education. The educational programmes Agronomy and Horticulture and Viticulture are designed to provide in-depth training in modern scientific approaches to crop production technologies, incorporating elements of resource conservation, organic farming, and environmental safety. The Geodesy and Land Management programme focuses on preparing specialists capable of making informed decisions concerning the protection, monitoring, and restoration of land resources.

The University carries out educational activities aligned with the principles and goals of sustainable development by training specialists who possess the knowledge, skills and values necessary to promote sustainable development of the territory through the educational and professional programmes Tourism (speciality “Tourism and Recreation”) at both the first (Bachelor’s) and second (Master’s) levels of higher education. Through the delivery of professional educational components such as Recreology and Recreational Complexes of the World and Tourismology, the University fosters environmental awareness and competence in the management of natural resources. Seminar and practical classes enable students to assess the environmental impact of tourism and to develop measures aimed at minimising harm and protecting natural ecosystems. The importance of cultural responsibility and heritage preservation is emphasised in components such as Historical Local Studies and Rural Green Tourism. Particular attention is given to the preservation of cultural heritage, ethical engagement with local communities, and respect for local traditions, languages, and lifestyles in the development of tourism products. Social responsibility and ethical conduct in tourism are explored through educational components including Self-Development and Self-Regulation of the Individual, Social Psychology and Conflictology, and Innovations in Socio-Economic Development.

Economic sustainability and management of sustainable enterprises are highlighted in the educational components Economics of a Travel Firm and Strategies of Sustainable Development, whose topics align with the principles of economic sustainability in tourism.

The educational components Information Systems and Technologies in Tourism, Economics and Organisation of Innovative Activities, and Digitalisation in Business highlight innovative technologies and digital solutions for sustainable tourism. These courses focus on modern approaches to the development of tourism products that align with the principles of sustainable development. Issues related to the marketing and promotion of sustainable tourism, including strategies for advancing ecological and cultural values, are addressed in the components Tour Operating, Service Marketing, and Creation of a Tourist Product. Through practical training in the development of tourism products and services, students enhance consumer awareness of sustainable tourism. In order to train specialists in the field of tourism, the university involves local communities and public-private partnerships. The integration of effective cooperation of education with business, government organisations and local communities for the joint development of sustainable tourism is the main focus of the educational and professional programme Tourism. Practical training in the implementation of the strategy of sustainable development in tourism is a key priority of higher education institutions, enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to apply sustainability principles in real-world contexts.

The implementation of a policy that promotes the consumption of food sourced from ecologically responsible agriculture by participants in the educational process

The university’s activities demonstrate the implementation of a policy that promotes the consumption of food sourced from ecologically responsible agriculture by participants in the educational process through a number of activities. In 2024, this policy is reflected through the integration of sustainable agriculture into both educational programmes and related initiatives.

Integrated supply chain policies encompass both internal environmental initiatives, such as composting, and an external commitment to eco-conscious suppliers. The university has a dedicated programme processes food waste through composting. The compost is used to fertilize plants in university greenhouses and research areas, which ensures the use of our own ecologically sustainable resources for growing products. Additionally, the university maintains cooperation agreements with agricultural enterprises that prioritise eco-friendly technologies, reinforcing the institution’s preference for sustainable practices in both educational processes and procurement. Activities implemented in 2024 include:

  1. The university actively promotes and disseminates information about the philosophy of organic production. TSATU scientists regularly participate in conferences on organic grain and oil crops, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge about environmentally friendly methods among the agricultural community, which indirectly affects procurement policy. The educational programmes Agronomy and Horticulture and Viticulture are aimed at in-depth training of specialists able to implement modern scientific approaches to the technological processes of crop production using elements of resource conservation, organic farming and environmental safety. This is the basis for the use of sustainable food grown by graduates;
  2. As part of the Ahrokebety project, a series of open meetings was held, where the agricultural policy of the EU and the European Green Deal were discussed to ensure the implementation of European environmental standards among farmers who collaborate with the university;
  3. Conducting the Taste of Gardening training session for schoolchildren from among internally displaced persons contributes to the popularization of regional cases of sustainable gardening among young people and the community;
  4. The advanced training programme NoveFood-2024, which was initiated by TSATU and organized jointly with 5 institutions of higher education, is dedicated to innovative technologies in the food industry. Certain topics of the programme demonstrate scientific and educational support for the principles of ecologically sustainable agriculture and nutrition, which directly confirm ecologically sustainable use:
  • Innovative technologies for producing functional products using plant-based alternative milk (Prof. L.V. Bal-Prylypko, Assoc. Prof. H.A. Tolok, the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences (NULES). Vegetable milk made from cereals and nuts requires significantly less land and water than traditional animal husbandry, aligning with key principles of sustainable land and resource use;
  • Prospects for the use of plant fibres in the food industry (Assoc. Prof.  M.Ye. Ratsuk, Kherson National Technical University (KHNTU)). The use of plant fibres supports the “zero waste” concept and enhances the value of agricultural raw materials, contributing to a more sustainable supply chain;
  • Chips from plant raw materials: innovative solutions (Prof. I.M. Dudariev, Lutsk National Technical University (LNTU)). The development of products based on plant raw materials supports sustainable land use and contributes to the advancement of the bioeconomy.;
  • Technology of dietary supplements from non-traditional plant raw materials (Prof. V.V. Yevlash, the State Biotechnological University (SBTU)). The use of non-traditional plant raw materials, particularly wild crops, contributes to expanding the biodiversity of agricultural crops.;
  • Seeds of niche oil crops – promising raw materials (Assoc. Prof. N.A. Sova, Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University (DSAEU)). Niche crops are critical for sustainable crop rotation and soil health preservation.
  1. Particular seminars of the TechnoMay-2024 professional development programme, initiated by TSATU and organized in collaboration with partner higher education institutions, demonstrate scientific support and education in the field of ecologically sustainable agriculture and resource-saving technologies, which is a necessary prerequisite for the production of ecologically sustainable food. In particular, the scientific and educational focus of the university on ecologically sustainable methods of food production is evidenced by seminars held on topics that directly support sustainable agriculture:
  • Prospects for using the Wide Span Gantry Tractor in Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) (Prof. V. P. Kuvachov, TSATU). Controlled traffic farming is an environmentally sustainable practice aimed at reducing soil compaction, which is essential for preserving soil health and biodiversity;
  • Smart technologies for machine use in combine harvesting of grain (prof. I. L. Rohovskyi, NULES). The implementation of Smart technologies optimizes the use of resources (fuel, time, loss reduction), which makes the harvesting process more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly;
  • Agrodrones: piloting and processing of monitoring information (Prof. Rogovsky I. L., NULES). The use of agrodrones supports precision agriculture, which underpins sustainable land use by enabling the minimisation of fertiliser and pesticide application. The strong demand for this seminar among programme participants demonstrates the university’s active promotion of sustainable land use (precision farming) to external audiences through professional training.
  1. The university initiated and ensures the functioning of the Tavria Organic Centre of Natural Agriculture, promoting transparency in product origin and actively involving students in cultivating ecologically clean produce in university greenhouses, gardens, and fields.

The participation of the lecturers in the TechnoMay-2024 programme provides direct evidence that TSATU integrates scientific knowledge of resource-saving engineering technologies and ecologically sustainable agriculture (CTF) into its educational programmes, and the university’s educational activities are aimed at training specialists capable of ensuring food production based on sustainable agricultural practices.

TSATU’s activities focus on preserving and expanding biodiversity in ecosystems, especially those at risk, through scientific, public, and educational initiatives. Scientific research at TSATU is carried out under the programme 0121U110190, “Modern State of Geoecological Conditions and Biodiversity of the Northwestern Pryazovia Region“, which involves studying, monitoring, and assessing changes in species diversity, particularly at the university’s research sites.

Scientists of TSATU offer scientific support and monitoring of objects in the Nature Reserve Fund. They have substantial experience in collaborating and conducting joint scientific research with institutions of the Nature Reserve Fund and other organisations involved in this area, including:

The university is actively engaged in addressing environmental problems caused by military operations and promotes the restoration of endangered biodiversity. It also serves as a participant and organizer of initiatives aimed at preserving and regenerating ecosystems. In particular, a lecturer from the Department of Geoecology and Land Management participated in an international project to train experts in assessing the state of soils and restoring territories affected by hostilities, thereby directly increasing the human resource capacity for ecosystem recovery. Experts of the Department of Geoecology and Land Management (Prof. A.M. Volokh, Assoc. Prof. E.M. Ayubova, Assoc. Prof. M.M. Hanchuk) are involved in collaborative scientific research on biodiversity monitoring and conservation. O.H. Antonovskyi, an employee of the same department, serves as the Deputy Head of the Research Department of the Pryazovskyi National Nature Park and s the initiator of a petition to expand the boundaries of this protected area.

TSATU implements biodiversity preservation measures as part of its campus sustainable management plan, including:

  • the use of indigenous plant species for landscaping and landscape design;
  • the application of compost (produced from processed food waste) to fertilise plants at research sites;
  • scheduling all tree and hedge maintenance outside the nesting season to minimise disturbance to local wildlife.

Students of TSATU demonstrate civic engagement by supporting living organisms affected by armed aggression. They actively participate in a charity initiative held on the International Day of Homeless Animals, regularly visiting the shelter Give a Paw, Friend to assist animals evacuated from frontline areas. Elnara Ayubova, a representative of the Department of Geoecology and Land Management, took part in the congress of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds, which is an example of scientific involvement in activities dedicated to the conservation of wild fauna.

The educational programmes of the university are directly aimed at training specialists capable of solving the problems of biodiversity conservation:

  • The bachelor’s-level Ecology educational programme equips students with the ability to justify the need and develop measures aimed at preserving landscape and biological diversity and forming an ecological network, fosters the capacity to apply methodologies for assessing ecological and economic damage, including harm caused to the environment by military actions;
  • Student scientific circles Biodiversity of the World, EcoModis and Ekoslid organized at the Department of Geoecology and Land Management are engaged in the in-depth study of biosystem biodiversity and the promotion of biological resource protection and conservation. Students involved in these circles develop competencies in applying GIS technologies for ecosystem analysis and carry out their own scientific research;
  • The educational practice programme for second-year students majoring in Ecology includes the study of local biodiversity and the analysis of opportunities for its preservation.

TSATU undertakes direct work to maintain and expand the biodiversity of existing ecosystems, particularly those threatened by military aggression, through the application of scientific expertise, educational capacity, and cooperation with the Nature Reserve Fund (NRF). The university continues to provide expert support to protected areas endangered by occupation or affected by hostilities. TSATU scientists support long-term cooperation with key NRF institutions: Pryazovskyi NPP, Azov-Syvash NPP, Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve and Velykyi Luh NPP. Experts of the Department of Geoecology and Land Management (in particular, Prof. A. M. Volokh) are involved in joint scientific research on monitoring and preserving the biodiversity of these unique, often threatening, steppe and wetland ecosystems. In 2024, scientists of the Department of Geoecology (particularly, Maksym Hanchuk) publicly provided expert assessments of the destructive environmental impact of occupation-related activities in the Melitopol region, including risks of desertification and ecocide. These activities represent a form of public monitoring and advocacy for the protection of endangered ecosystems in temporarily occupied territories. In 2024, the lecturer of the Department of Geoecology, Elnara Ayubova, Elnara Ayubova, a lecturer at the Department of Geoecology, participated in the extraordinary congress of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds, demonstrating direct involvement in public initiatives aimed at safeguarding wild fauna and its habitats. The university is currently implementing the research programme 0121U110190, Current State of Geoecological Conditions and Biodiversity of the Northwestern Pryazov Region, which includes monitoring and analysing species biodiversity dynamics, providing a scientific foundation for ecosystem conservation.

The university’s activities are aimed at restoring and maintaining biodiversity by strengthening practical capacity for rehabilitating damaged areas and providing direct support to living organisms both on campus and within local communities through a range of initiatives, including: participation of lecturers from the Department of Geoecology and Land Management in an international project to train experts in soil assessment and the restoration of territories affected by hostilities, which is a direct mechanism for ecosystem and biodiversity recovery, along with the engagement of TSATU student youth in a charitable initiative involving regular visits to the shelter Give a Paw, Friend, where they assist animals evacuated from frontline areas, providing tangible social support for animal biodiversity impacted by military operations.

As part of its sustainable campus management plan, the university applies eco-friendly practices, including the use of indigenous species for landscaping and scheduling all tree and hedge maintenance outside the nesting season to minimise disruption to local wildlife. The university adheres to the Alien Species Abatement Policy and conducts regular monitoring of the campus to detect and remove invasive plant species (particularly during spring and summer), an essential measure for preserving local biodiversity.

TSATU offers educational programmes and ecosystem activities for local and national communities at the local and national levels, aimed at studying wild flora, wild fauna and ecosystems, for communities, for those who are not students of the university. The university thereby disseminates knowledge about ecosystems, agriculture and biological diversity through open events:

In 2024, TSATU demonstrated purposeful educational outreach aimed at local and regional communities, focusing on sustainable land management and the responsible use of natural resources for tourism development. The university organized open educational events and provided expert counselling to promote environmental responsibility and sustainability in tourism-related activities. To further disseminate sustainable practices, TSATU scientists took part in a number of events:

  • Through participation in the international training programme Diversification of the Rural Economy through a Network of Public Tourist Consultation Centres (Estonia), valuable experience was gained and is now applied in providing consultations and conducting open seminars for local residents and entrepreneurs. These activities focus on the sustainable use and preservation of the natural, historical, and cultural potential of rural areas for tourism development;
  • The strategy and directions for the rapid recovery of tourism in Ukraine, as well as the development of regional tourist potential, were discussed during the III National Tourism Summit. The participating lecturers have incorporated the acquired knowledge into educational outreach with local communities, with a focus on sustainability and responsible tourism practices;
  • The conference organized by the Academy of Rural Green Tourism of Ukraine brought together over 300 participants, including representatives of public organisations, a rural women’s business network, and 12 educational institutions from across the country. Speakers shared their experiences of transitioning from individual rural estates to integrated clusters of rural green tourism in Ukraine, discussed strategies for creating and maintaining environments that support the preservation of the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of rural areas.

The university focuses on creating a barrier-free space and cultural responsibility in tourism, which is a key element of sustainable management. To support barrier-free tourism education, an introductory seminar was held based on the Methodological Recommendations of the State Tourism Development Agency for tourism support specialists. The seminar was open to guarantors of educational programmes, members of project groups, and students majoring in Tourism and Recreation, who subsequently disseminated the acquired knowledge to regional tourism enterprises and local communities. The educational components of the Tourism study programme (such as Rural Green Tourism and Historical Local Studies) emphasise the preservation of cultural heritage, ethical engagement with local communities, and responsible natural resource management, laying the foundations for environmentally sustainable land use in tourism among future professionals working in the region.

Support of terrestrial ecosystems through activities (University Complex)

TSATU supports terrestrial ecosystems for which it is responsible (campus, research sites), in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. The University has an approved Development Strategy for 2023-2030 and implements a policy on the sustainable use of agricultural resources and land restoration through research activities. The current Development Strategy contains direct provisions that ensure sustainable management of university lands: “development of alternative technologies for stabilization and productive use of disturbed agrobiocenoses of the region” (clause 9.2.2), “participation in the development of programmes for the preservation and restoration of the region ecosystem” (clause 9.7.).

The policy is implemented through research programmes aimed at sustainable use and restoration of soils: Substantiation of anti-stress techniques in resource-saving technologies for growing grain, legume and oilseed crops in the steppe zone of Ukraine (resource conservation); Development of intensive technologies for the production of environmentally safe fruit and vegetable products in open and closed soil of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine (ecological safety). Researchers are actively working on developing a plan of measures for the restoration of forest plantations and forest protection strips for potential restoration and sustainable land use within the university research sites. In particular, TSATU representatives A.I. Panchenko and Yu.O. Prus took part in a meeting of Zaporizhzhia farmers together with the Committee of Entrepreneurs of the Agricultural and Industrial Complex of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine. The draft Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Territories, a document that is an important tool for approximating the agrarian policies of Ukraine and the EU, was presented to representatives of Zaporizhzhia agricultural companies, farmers, heads of specialized departments, associations and organizations at the event.

Through educational and scientific activities, TSATU implements a policy on the identification, monitoring and conservation of protected species whose habitat may be related to the activities of the university (especially in the partner areas of the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine. The policy of activities is determined by the programme 0121U110190 Current state of geoecological conditions and biodiversity of the northwestern Azov region (intermediate), which includes monitoring, determination of the dynamics of species biodiversity and digitization of monitoring approaches. Professor A. Volokh is an extraordinary member of the German Society of Wildlife and Hunting Researchers, whose scientific achievements became the basis for the inclusion of species in the Red Book of Ukraine. TSATU researchers are also involved in joint scientific research with representatives of institutions of the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine on monitoring and conservation of biodiversity, including monitoring the status of rare plant species populations in the university research areas.

The university includes local biodiversity issues in its campus management plans. Only indigenous species are used for landscaping the premises at TSATU, which is a fundamental step to maintain local biocenosis. All types of care for trees and hedges under the conditions of blended learning are carried out outside the nesting season to minimize disturbance of local wildlife. Certain measures to preserve local biodiversity are included in the university sustainable campus management plan: use of local compost without peat to create a microenvironment through differentiated mowing, creation of rain gardens and insect houses. TSATU researchers support the sustainability of biocenoses on campus, therefore, they use only native species for landscaping and landscape design. During their second-year internship, ecology students study local biodiversity and analyze the possibilities of its preservation. TSATU researchers are actively working on developing an action plan for the restoration of forest plantations and forest protection strips for the potential restoration and sustainable land use within university research areas (section 9.2.2. TSATU Development Strategy for 2023-2030).

The University adheres to the principles of the Policy aimed at reducing the impact of alien species on campus, which is in line with European and national strategies. The policy takes into account the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On the Basic Principles (Strategy) of the State Environmental Policy of Ukraine for the Period Until 2030”, Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 668 of 17 December 2021, approving the decision of the National Security and Defence Council “On the Strategy of Biosafety and Biological Protection”, as well as the Action Plan for the Implementation of this Strategy for 2022-2025, approved by the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 573 of  7 July 2022, and the Convention on the Conservation of Biological Diversity, Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Prevention of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species. The recommendations of the State Institution “Institute of Evolutionary Ecology of the NAS of Ukraine”, M.G. Kholodny Institute of botany, NAS of Ukraine and the results of the work of the Interdepartmental Working Group established by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine in accordance with the order No. 466.of 5 July, 2023.

The implementation of the Policy involves a series of measures: monthly monitoring of the campus territory to detect alien species, organization of information sessions for students about harmful effects of alien species and methods of their prevention, development of a regulation which prohibits the importation of plants or animals that may be alien to the campus territory. University students live in the dormitory No. 6 of Zaporizhzhia National University due to the relocation of the university to the city of Zaporizhzhia, events are held in its premises and in the surrounding area.

Since alien species can cause environmental, economic and social problems, harming natural species and destroying ecosystems, TSATU has implemented a specific action plan, which includes the following set of measures:

  • monthly monitoring the campus area to detect alien species, with an emphasis on addressing the concerns of students about invasive representatives of flora and fauna (cockroaches, insects, rats, ragweed, etc.);
  • organizing information sessions for students about the harmful effects of alien species and methods of their prevention, held at meetings and video conferences (twice a semester);
  • cleaning the area from invasive plants, especially in the spring-summer-autumn period, using mechanical and environmentally safe methods (soil cultivation, felling);
  • using chemicals to destroy certain invasive fauna (e.g. cockroaches), provided that this does not harm the environment and students. This measure was implemented in summer of 2024 by employees of the Zaporizhzhia City Sanitary and Epidemiological Station of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine;
  • establishing cooperation with local environmental organizations and state institutions to receive advice and support in implementing the policy (Zaporizhzhia Municipal Sanitary and Epidemiological Station, Ekosens NGO, Dzyga NGO);
  • creating a list of potentially dangerous alien species that may appear on the territory of the campus;
  • developing a regulation prohibiting the importation of plants or animals that may be alien to the campus.

The activities of TSATU demonstrate strictly controlled and responsible practices in waste and wastewater management, aimed at preventing damage to the environment (soil and water) in accordance with national and international standards.

The university is guided by a policy of sustainable water consumption and wastewater quality control to protect ecosystems, adheres to the approved state Standards for Sustainable Water Consumption and has developed recommendations implemented in the educational process that minimize the volume of wastewater. TSATU researchers, on their own initiative, monitor the quality of water used in laboratories and discharged into the sewer. They collaborate with specialists from municipal institutions on the impact of municipal wastewater on the hydroecosystem. In particular, Associate Professor Viktoriia Skyba is a member of the Ekorukh NGO and is a member of the public council at the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine, and researchers support cooperation with the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA), which ensures policy regulation and exchange of international experience on water quality.

The university has a policy aimed at preventing the formation of plastic waste and reducing it on campus, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. The main paradigm of the university is aimed at preventing the formation of plastic and other types of waste. Good management practices have been implemented in educational and scientific laboratories, where plastic waste is separated for further processing or disposal. Laboratories encourage the use of reusable materials and reducing the consumption of single-use plastic. The university has a programme to recycle food waste into compost, which is used to fertilize plants in university greenhouses and research areas. This reduces the amount of organic waste going to landfills. TSATU is a member of the Global Waste Cleaning Network (GWCN), an international non-profit network, which confirms its commitment to promoting good waste management practices internationally. Regular training events and educational campaigns are held for staff and students on proper waste management and sorting.

The hazardous waste management policy meets national requirements and international standards to prevent harm to the environment. The University complies with the requirements of national legislation (DSTU 2195-99, DSTU 4462.3.01:2006), identifies hazardous materials (chemicals, batteries, laboratory waste, electronics), applies strict procedures for safe storage (special containers) and disposal (contracts with licensed companies). Training of staff and students on safe sorting and disposal is provided. Reporting and monitoring of hazardous waste volumes are carried out to control compliance with environmental standards. The University is a signatory to the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of environmental protection of the Azov region, where among the areas of cooperation is the development of a subregional policy on hazardous waste management. TSATU demonstrates the presence of a comprehensive system of control over all types of waste (sewage, plastic, hazardous materials), ensuring the fulfillment of the requirements of SDG 15.4 through the integration of internal policies, scientific monitoring and cooperation with regulatory and international environmental organizations.