Pitt Earth Day Timeline, 1970 – 2020

An overview of Pitt’s commitment to the Earth and sustainability!

University of Pittsburgh campus aerial view

50 Years of the University of Pittsburgh’s Commitment to the Earth

1970 – Teach-ins held on April 22nd, the first-ever Earth Day, were a catalyst for the creation of the U.S. EPA and the amendments to the Clean Water Act.

1970s –  Pitt launches energy efficiency and conservation efforts in buildings across campus.

1986 – First Pitt Digital Direct Control (DDC) system was installed in Posvar Hall to better control mechanical equipment, temperature, and energy use; DDC was applied in all new buildings moving forward.

1990 – Chancellor Wesley Posvar was among the original 22 signatories of Talloires Declaration, the first official statement by global university leaders committing to sustainability in higher education.

2003 – Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MCSI) was established as the first Pitt sustainability-focused academic center.

2004 – Pitt alumna Wangari Maathai was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her “contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.”

2005 – MCSI creates a faculty Research Seed Grant program to encourage and facilitate sustainability-focused research.

2005 – Pitt’s McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine becomes the first LEED Gold university academic building in Pennsylvania.

2006 – Pitt’s University Senate establishes a Sustainability Subcommittee of its Plant Utilization and Planning Committee.

2009 – Pitt holds first Blue, Gold, & Green Sustainability Festival showcasing the businesses, artists, and thinkers that help bring green to fruition in Pittsburgh.

2009 – Pitt’s Carrillo Street Steam Plant opens as one of the cleanest and most efficient district heating systems in the nation.

2010 – Pitt completes its first greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory (for fiscal year 2008).

2010 – Students create Pitt Green Fund, which finances student-initiated sustainability projects.

2013 – Pitt publishes inaugural “Report on Sustainability” highlighting sustainability initiatives across campus.

2014 – Student Office of Sustainability established, increasing student engagement and collaboration, while strengthening Pitt’s environmental impact.

2014 – Pitt commits to international 2030 Challenge goals for buildings, including 50% reductions in energy use, water consumption, and transportation emissions, along with carbon neutral new construction by 2030.

2014 – Pitt’s Year of Sustainability, the university’s first “Year of” celebration.

2015 – Pitt Sustainability Awards established, recognizing Pitt students, employees, and collaborators making extraordinary impacts on campus sustainability.

2015 – University of Thriftsburgh opens, an on-campus thrift store created and run by students.

2015 – Pitt establishes university-wide Sustainability Committee.

2016 – Pitt launches Sustainable.Pitt.edu, an entire website dedicated to sharing University sustainability efforts – and how to get involved.

2016 – MCSI creates Sustainability Faculty Fellows Program.

2016 – MCSI begins offering university-wide undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability.

2017 – Pitt Bike Cave opens to provide communal space for bikers, plus free bike maintenance and support to Pittsburghers.

2018 – First Pitt Sustainability Plan unveiled, featuring 61 goals across 15 impact areas.  

2018 – Pitt earns AASHE STARS Silver rating.

2018 – The university’s Office of Sustainability is established.

2018 – Pitt commits to local, low-impact hydropower energy use, its largest-ever commitment to renewable energy.

2019 – Pitt commits to Cool Food Pledge, a global initiative to reduce food-related GHG emissions 25% by 2030.

2019 – Pitt adds first electric vehicles, 4 box trucks for campus moving and delivery services.

2019 – Pitt joins Green Sports Alliance, committing to sustainable practices across all areas of Athletics.

2019 – Pitt honored for first time by League of American Bicyclists with a Bronze Bicycle Friendly University award.

2019 – The university creates two sustainability attribute codes to help students identify courses with sustainability-focused and related content.

2020 – Pitt launches sustainability dashboard, helping visually navigate and quantify university-wide impact and progress.

2020 – University of Pittsburgh commits to reaching carbon neutrality by 2037.