Integrating Education and Responsibility: Enhancing Carbon Neutrality through CSR, EnEd, and USR Synergies

Abstract

This article explores the dynamic relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental Education (EnEd), and carbon neutrality in the industrial sector, with a special focus on the enhancing role of University Social Responsibility (USR). Through a detailed analysis of various case studies, we examine how integrated CSR and EnEd approaches contribute to effective carbon-zero/negative initiatives. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data, and includes insights from a comprehensive literature review of USR case studies focused on environmental sustainability. Findings reveal that EnEd significantly influences CSR strategies, which in turn impact carbon neutrality efforts. The introduction of USR is proposed as a key component to strengthen this sequential link, fostering a more holistic approach to sustainability. Novel recommendations for future academic research and strategic directions are presented, emphasizing interdisciplinary studies, technological integration in sustainability efforts, and the importance of aligning educational initiatives with corporate environmental goals. The article contributes to the ongoing discourse on CSR and EnEd’s role in achieving environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts between academia, industry, and policymakers in fostering a sustainable future.