Pitt has a long history of implementing sustainable practices, believing that through investments in sustainability, there will be long-term positive impact on social, environmental, and economic patterns on campus, in the region, and around the world.
Pitt Sustainability Land Acknowledgment
We recognize that the University of Pittsburgh occupies the ancestral land of the Seneca, Adena culture, Hopewell culture, and Monongahela peoples, who were later joined by refugees of other tribes (including the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Haudenosaunee), who were all forced off their their homelands and displaced by European colonists. We honor the original caretakers of this region and uplift their historic, unique, and enduring relationship with this land, which is their ancestral territory. We pay our respects to their Elders and their past, present, and future people, community, and culture. While we cannot change the past, we commit to continued gratitude for the gifts of nature, along with ongoing respect, care, and stewardship of the land, each other, and future generations. We are committed to learning and supporting indigenous communities in the region today and in the future.
University of Pittsburgh’s Land Acknowledgement Statement
2018-22 Progress Report on the Pitt Sustainability Plan published, recognizing the University’s collective progress on each of the Pitt Sustainability Plan’s 68 distinct and ambitious goals.
University of Pittsburgh becomes the first Platinum Sustainable Pittsburgh Workplace! Pitt is a proud past winner in the University division of all other Sustainable Pittsburgh workplace challenges.
The University of Pittsburgh is proud to rank #34 of U.S. institutions and #126 globally in the inaugural rankings (out of 700 universities) in the inaugural QS World University Rankings in Sustainability (focused on the social and environmental sustainability performance in higher education institutions globally).
The Provost’s Faculty Ad Hoc Committee for Sustainability publishes its report recommending creation of a University-wide Sustainability Institute.
The University of Pittsburgh releases its first “Pitt Climate Action Plan” charting a course to carbon neutrality by 2037.
The University’s Office of Finance releases the “Inaugural Consolidated Endowment Fund Environmental, Social and Governance Report and publishes a summary of University ESG investing consideration and progress to-date.
The Pittsburgh campus is recognized a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation for the first time (for 2021 activities).
University of Pittsburgh achieves its first AASHE STARS Gold designation.
Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on Fossil Fuels discloses that Pitt’s endowment will have no private fossil fuel investments and only 1% fossil fuel exposure (or less) by the end of 2035.
The University of Pittsburgh commits to becoming carbon neutral by 2037.
Pitt launches textile recycling for its Pittsburgh campus.
The University of Pittsburgh’s Student Office of Sustainability is founded as an active contributor and voice in fostering awareness of sustainability throughout the Pitt community.
The University of Pittsburgh is a Founding Property Partner of the Pittsburgh 2030 District’s Oakland boundary, committing to measured building performance of 50% reductions in energy use, water consumption, and transportation emissions by the year 2030 (below baselines). These international 2030 Challenge goals became the basis of the 2018 Pitt Sustainability Plan.
