ASU achieves gold sustainability rating for third time, rates second-highest in US
Arizona State University’s AASHE STARS rating is third in the world and second in the U.S. for sustainability initiatives.
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) is a comprehensive tool for measuring sustainability at more than 800 colleges and universities around the world. STARS benchmarks institutions in over 1,000 data points covering academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
In ASU’s tri-annual and third STARS submission, ASU continues its climb to the top of the Gold-rated institutions. ASU scored highest in the following percentages of available points:
- academics and research: 87 percent.
- campus and public engagement: 95 percent.
“At ASU, sustainability is viewed as an outcome,” said Nichol Luoma, University Business Services associate vice president and sustainability operations officer. “The hard work from the ASU community is paying off, and this rating validates ASU’s commitment to sustainability.”
To achieve this year’s STARS gold rating, ASU built campus and community collaborations to provide world-class education and research sustainability with the first School of Sustainability more than a decade ago. Now, 12.5 percent of ASU’s courses are recognized as sustainability or sustainability-related and 74 percent of academic departments offer sustainability courses.
ASU also made significant progress in air and climate, energy, waste, and water categories, due to a variety of efforts that contributed to overall energy, waste, and water reductions over the last three years.
“We celebrate this recognition. However, we will continue to expand our efforts to ensure ASU remains a global leader in sustainability,” said Mick Dalrymple, University Sustainability Practices director.
More Environment and sustainability
Confusion complicates US recycling efforts
In most major cities and buildings, recycling bins can often be found alongside trash bins in an effort to encourage recycling.…
ASU empowers students to build a thriving global future
At Arizona State University, leadership has made tremendous efforts to create programs and initiatives aimed at supporting a…
Colorado River becomes an outdoor classroom for these middle school students
Griffin Freburg doesn’t usually look forward to science class. But on a sunny day in March, the eighth grader changed his tune.…