Pitt Sustainability Successes, 2019-20 Academic Year
New to campus or just looking for a quick update on what Pitt Sustainability accomplished in academic year 2019-20? Start here!
The University of Pittsburgh has been advancing sustainability activities across campus for decades, but in the 2019-20 academic year, we celebrated some new commitments, achievements, and milestones!
Our cross-departmental Pitt Sustainability team continues to be focused on advancing the campus-wide Pitt Sustainability Plan, tracking measurable progress on the Plan’s 61 goals across stewardship, exploration, community, and culture.
Pitt’s Commitment to Local Solar Energy
Pitt is newly committed to purchasing renewable energy from a planned, local solar power facility.
Bee Campus USA Certification for Pitt
As of June 2020, the University of Pittsburgh is a certified Bee Campus USA!
Helium Recovery Making a Difference
Helium, a critical component of cutting edge research at Pitt, is a nonrenewable resource that is usually used once and then expelled into the atmosphere, but not at Pitt. The Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences manages a Helium Recovery Program that re-liquefies Helium for reuse in University research experiments.
Results from the 2020 Pitt Sustainability Literacy & Culture Survey
The Pitt Sustainability Literacy & Culture Survey was administered to assess the sustainability knowledge, practices, opinions, and preferences of Pitt students, faculty, and staff. The results of the survey are being used by the Pitt Sustainability Team to create future offerings related to sustainability opportunities and challenges.
Office Water Coolers
Learn about what type of water coolers are more environmentally friendly.
How do I know what type of water cooler to get for my office?There are many things to consider when purchasing a water cooler or water dispenser for your office space. Some of the decisions include temperature options and bottled versus bottleless. The Office of Sustainability wants to make sure you are informed to decide what best fits your office’s needs, while still being environmentally friendly.
Pitt Sustainability Award Winners 2015-2023
Since 2015, the University of Pittsburgh has annually awarded the Pitt Sustainability Awards, which recognize Pitt faculty, staff, students, and groups who are making an extraordinary impact on campus sustainability. These individuals or groups could have demonstrated their impact in one or more categories of the Pitt Sustainability Plan (Stewardship, Exploration, and/or Community and Culture) via ideas, talents, and passions that contribute to a thriving culture of sustainability at Pitt.
Next Pitt Commits to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
The University of Pittsburgh has committed to becoming carbon neutral on its Pittsburgh campus by 2037, its 250th anniversary. Through partnerships, efficiencies, renewable sources, and more, we will build on the success of our Sustainability Plan and existing GHG reduction of 22% since 2008 to reach carbon neutrality.
We believe universities have an obligation to do their part in addressing climate change, which the United Nations calls “the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment.”
Pitt Commits to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
The University of Pittsburgh has committed to becoming carbon neutral on its Pittsburgh campus by 2037, its 250th anniversary. Through partnerships, efficiencies, renewable sources, and more, we will build on the success of our Sustainability Plan and existing GHG reduction of 22% since 2008 to reach carbon neutrality.
We believe universities have an obligation to do their part in addressing climate change, which the United Nations calls “the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment.”
Report – Flooding in Southwestern Pennsylvania: Knowledge Gaps and Approaches
Report on Flooding in Southwestern Pennsylvania: Knowledge Gaps and Approaches from Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory, released February 2020.
image of the city in the background and a small forest with a river stream in center view
As Southwestern Pennsylvania continues to evolve from its industrial past to become a national leader in innovation and sustainability, it has encountered a complex set of water challenges that threaten the economy, ecology, and public health of the region.
Pitt Sustainability Dashboard Launched!
The Pitt Sustainability Dashboard provides an interactive view of progress on certain Pitt Sustainability Plan goals, including greenhouse gas emissions, compostables, food recovery, and Real Food Challenge achievements!
Academic Course Sustainability Attribute Codes
Curious which courses address sustainability? Two new attribute codes in the course catalog will help!
We’re excited to announce that starting for Spring 2019 courses, there are now 2 attribute codes to help students identify the level of sustainability content within a course (under Interdisciplinary Themes):
MCSI – Sustainability-focused: A sustainability-focused course addresses sustainability as an integrated concept throughout, highlighting the interconnectivity between social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Academic Course Sustainability Attribute Codes
Curious which courses address sustainability? Two new attribute codes in the course catalog will help!
There are two attribute codes to help students identify the level of sustainability content within a course (under Interdisciplinary Themes):
MCSI – Sustainability-focused: A sustainability-focused course addresses sustainability as an integrated concept throughout, highlighting the interconnectivity between social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) 2019 Supportive Staff Member Award Celebrates Erika Ninos
Pitt Sustainability staff affiliate Erika Ninos received the Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) 2019 Supportive Staff Member Award.
Center for Sustainable Business Launches
The University of Pittsburgh announced launched a new Center for Sustainable Business in October 2019, which will engage leading global and regional companies to integrate environmental and societal concerns into their business models.
The University of Pittsburgh launched its Center for Sustainable Business and will engage leading global and regional companies to integrate environmental and societal concerns into their business models.