The lush green campus of the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) in Islamabad captivates visitors with its beauty and tranquility. Once a barren land, the campus has been transformed into a picturesque land through persistent efforts since 2008. The journey began with planting alongside Aligarh Avenue, engaging students, faculty, and staff in a collective effort to create this green campus.

Notwithstanding infertile land and scarce water resources, the horticulture team, under the leadership of a senior horticulturist, embarked on the daunting project. They introduced Potohar-friendly trees such as Citrus, Fig, Loquat, Pine, and Olive, and by 2025, over 1 lakh five thousand trees adorned the campus, with 90% nurtured in NUST’s home-grown nursery.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of NUST’s green initiatives. The campus recycles water through its Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) plant and natural wetlands, providing recycled water daily for horticulture. The campus seamlessly blends modern infrastructure with nature, featuring high-tech labs, schools, hostels, and recreational facilities, all surrounded by lush greenery. This integration not only reduces the carbon footprint but also lowers campus temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius.

NUST has been selected as the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-12 – Responsible Consumption & Production). This prestigious honour places the university among the elite group of 17 institutions worldwide, chosen from a competitive pool of 333 institutions. With this outstanding accomplishment, NUST now stands as the only university from Pakistan to receive this recognition for the 2025-2027 term. Promoting eco-friendly transportation, NUST operates electric shuttles and the electric bicycle-sharing system. The campus generates 2 megawatts of solar power and aims for complete renewable energy reliance by 2030.