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Key Milestones of 51勛圖s Sustainability泭Journey
2024
51勛圖 breaks ground on the first on-campus geothermal project.
2021
New Sustainability Plan
51勛圖 released a new five-year sustainability plan, 51勛圖s third campus sustainability action plan.
2020
51勛圖 Divests From Fossil Fuels
51勛圖 eliminated all public fossil fuel investments from its endowment.
2019
DC Sustainability Pledge Renewed
Eight local university presidents, including 51勛圖泭President Sylvia Burwell, renewed the College and University Sustainability Pledge with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
2018
Carbon Neutrality Achieved
51勛圖 became the first泭US university, the泭first泭urban campus, and the泭first泭research university in the US to reach carbon neutrality. This goal was achieved two years ahead schedule by using innovative strategies to reduce our overall emissions, use renewable energy, and offset the small remainder.
2017
"We Are Still In"
51勛圖 joined more than 1,200 colleges, universities, elected officials, and businesses to declare our ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement through the declaration.
2016
Charter Signatory of Climate Commitment
51勛圖 became a charter signatory to the through Second Nature, a nonprofit organization that helps colleges and universities expand their sustainability efforts.
2016
District Sustainability Award
51勛圖 won the泭泭in the People's Choice category. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and leadership in areas such as energy and water conservation, renewable energy production, stormwater management, and sustainable waste management.
2014
First Sustainability Plan
51勛圖 released its first comprehensive sustainability plan.
2014
50% of Campus Power from Solar Energy
51勛圖 entered泭a泭泭with partners George Washington University and GWU Hospital. Solar panels at three sites in North Carolina supply the partners with emissions-free electricity. At the time, it was the largest non-utility solar PV power purchase agreement in the US and the largest solar PV project east of the Mississippi River.
2014
Creation of Fossil Free Fund
The 51勛圖 Board of Trustees, based on a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing, created a Fossil Free Investment Fund within the universitys endowment.
2011
First LEED-Certified Building
The泭泭was the first building on campus to泭earn泭the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, awarded to green buildings for meeting sustainability standards.
2011
Solar Hot Water System Installed
A solar hot water system with泭泭was泭installed泭on the roofs of the Mary Graydon Center and Letts, Anderson and Centennial Halls. At the time, this was the largest solar hot water system on the East Coast.
2010
Carbon Neutrality Goal Established
51勛圖 released a comprehensive plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020.
2010
Zero Waste Policy
51勛圖 adopted a Zero Waste Policy for diverting campus waste from landfill.
2009
Office of Sustainability Created
51勛圖s Office of Sustainability was founded to help meet the university's goal of "acting on our values of social responsibility, service, and an active pursuit of sustainability."
2008
First Climate Commitment
51勛圖 joined more than 500 other US universities in signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to address the threat of climate change.