AASHE STARS Gold

The University of Pittsburgh is very proud to have an AASHE STARS Gold rating for both 2021 and 2024.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (AASHE STARS) is a transparent framework for colleges and universities to measure and benchmark their sustainability performance across all aspects of higher education.

Pitt’s 2024 Gold rating is based on strong achievements from 2021 through 2023 in five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. Among Pitt’s many sustainability initiatives, 3 points of distinction highlighted in the 2024 submission included the comprehensive 2018-22 Progress Report on the Pitt Sustainability Plan , Pitt’s local solar partnership with Vesper Gaucho Solar, and the Covestro Circular Economy Program (the first U.S. graduate-level circular economy program to specifically address the challenge of global waste and material use. Learn more about our 2024 submission.

In 2021, a mere 3 years after achieving our first ever AASHE STARS rating (Silver in 2018), the University was very proud to be recognized for its sustainability accomplishments with STARS Gold.  Among Pitt’s many sustainability initiatives, three points of distinction from 2018 through 2020 included celebrating the lowest total energy use per square foot in fiscal year 2020, a new anti-Black racism course for all first year students, and Pitt’s Cool Food Pledge to cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2030.

With the 2024 AASHE STARS Gold designation valid until 2027, Pitt will continue to renew its AASHE STARS designation every 3 years moving forward.

Peruse Pitt’s full AASHE STARS documentation for 2018, 2021, and 2024.