U California Merced Earns STARS Platinum
Points of distinction in the University of California, Merced's recently published STARS report, earning the institution its inaugural STARS Platinum rating, include achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for scopes 1 and 2, and the completion of 11 campus facilities, each of which was certified to LEED Platinum standards.
Bowdoin College Releases Decarbonization Plan
The college's recently released clean-energy plan calls for investing a minimum of $100 million in campus infrastructure between now and 2037 with the goal of utilizing carbon-free clean energy by 2042. Additionally, the plan builds on existing academic, research, curriculum and career-training opportunities to advance student and faculty learning and innovation in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability.
U California Los Angeles Publishes Sustainability Plan
UCLA’s new sustainability plan, which includes input and feedback from more than 1,000 community members, includes specific initiatives related to sustainable transportation, climate, food systems, water and zero waste, among others. It highlights the intersections of planetary and human health, and begins the work to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and justice are integrated into campus sustainability policies and programs.
Times Higher Education Releases 2022 Impact Rankings
The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings include metrics based on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. This year, 1,406 universities from 106 different countries/regions are ranked in the overall table.
Harvard U Dedicates $100M to Legacy of Slavery Report Recommendations
The report of the Presidential Committee on Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery released in late April describes the university's historical ties to slavery and how they contributed to the institution's rise. The report also offers a series of recommendations, including the inauguration of a $100 million fund to implement the recommendations and a sustained endowment.
Health Students Release 'Planetary Health Report Card'
The Planetary Health Report Card is a metric-based tool for evaluating and improving planetary health content in health professional schools. Featuring responses from students and faculty from 74 medical schools across the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Germany, Malaysia and Japan, the report grades medical schools on their sustainability performance.
U Massachusetts Amherst Announces 100% Renewable Power By 2032 Goal
The university on Earth Day unveiled UMass Carbon Zero–a vision to power the university's 1,500-acre flagship campus with 100 percent renewable energy by approximately 2032. Among other changes, the university plans to transition from fossil fuel-based steam and electricity production to a low-temperature hot water heating system paired with ground-source heating and cooling, and to use a combination of onsite battery-stored solar energy and purchased clean energy.
Cornell U Achieves STARS Platinum
Points of distinction in Cornell's recently earned AASHE STARS Platinum rating include its sustainability-focused module for all first-year and transfer students and a living laboratory project focused on ground-source heating.
California State Polytechnic U Humboldt Releases Climate Action Plan
The newly released roadmap introduces 35 actions to help the university achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and build climate resilience. The actions span buildings, energy and fuels, transportation, waste and purchasing, carbon offset and sequestration, academics and research, and resilience.
