Sustainable mobility in higher education through ideological pathways linking campus transport and the sustainable development goals

Abstract Universities play a crucial role in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their operations, research, and community engagement. However, current studies on campus mobility remain fragmented, often focusing separately on technological, behavioural, or governance aspects, lacking a unified framework that connects sustainable mobility initiatives to specific SDG outcomes. This study addresses the gap by conducting a systematic review and synthesising evidence from 50 peer-reviewed publications published between 2008 and 2025, examining how university campus mobility initiatives contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through diverse ideological frameworks. Using a qualitative interpretive synthesis, the study analysed global case studies from Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Africa, categorised around four ideological domains: environmental pragmatism, behavioural change, social justice, and governance partnerships. The results suggest that integrated approaches may support multiple SDG co-benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, improved health and well-being, and more sustainable communities. Nevertheless, recurring barriers across the reviewed studies include institutional inertia, fragmented governance, and infrastructural deficiencies. Based on the reviewed evidence, the study presents a conceptual framework linking ideological foundations, mobility interventions, and SDG outcomes, while recognising that its applicability should be further examined across underrepresented regional contexts. Achieving transformational campus mobility requires paradigm fluency, integrating technological, behavioural, justice-oriented, and governance strategies, thereby reinforcing universities’ leadership in realizing Sustainable Development.