University Receives 2024 Gold AASHE STARS Recognition
The University of Pittsburgh has achieved AASHE STARS Gold for the second time!
The University of Pittsburgh has once again earned a Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (AASHE STARS). AASHE’s STARS is a transparent framework for colleges and universities to measure and benchmark their sustainability performance across all aspects of higher education. Pitt is proud be recognized for the second time with an AASHE STARS Gold designation. This designation considers the University’s sustainability accomplishments from 2021 through 2023 and is valid through 2027. Pitt earned a score of 72.67, 6.16 points higher than the University’s first Gold designation earned in 2021.
This third-party designation demonstrates to the Pitt community, University partners, and our higher education peers that we are continuing to make measurable progress balancing equity, environment, and economics so that current and future generations can thrive.
Pitt’s 2024 AASHE STARS Gold rating is based on achievements from 2021 to 2024 in five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. Among Pitt’s many sustainability initiatives, three points of distinction highlighted in the 2024 submission included;
- The comprehensive 2018-22 Progress Report on the Pitt Sustainability Plan recognizing the University’s collective progress on each of the 68 distinct and ambitious sustainability goals.
- Pitt’s local solar power partnership with Vesper Gaucho Solar Farm. This 68-acre solar farm provides ~18% of Pitt’s electricity and demonstrates our commitment supporting local renewable electricity that has cascading local economic and environmental benefits, including helping reduce local and global air pollutants.
- Pitt’s Covestro Circular Economy Program, which is the first U.S. graduate-level circular economy academic program to specifically address the challenge of global waste and material use through an innovative training program.
“The renewal of our AASHE STARS Gold designation is an important milestone in the University of Pittsburgh’s sustainability journey. While the 2018 Pitt Sustainability Plan and 2022 Pitt Climate Action Plans provide the strategic framework and goals for expanding Pitt’s culture of sustainability, a second STARS Gold achievement keeps the University in the upper tiers of higher education sustainability performance.”
Dr. Aurora Sharrard, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability
Pitt Builds on Solid Sustainability Foundation!
With a score of 72.67, Pitt added 6.16 points from its 2021 Gold designation. “How did this happen?”, you might ask. The answer is simple, yet complex, through Pitt’s unwavering dedication to pursuing all 68 sustainability goals set in the 2018 Pitt Sustainability Plan. This dedication has led to tangible improvements, from prioritizing sustainability in decision-making process to implementing collaborative innovative initiatives. Below are just a few shining examples from the 2012-2024 AASHE STARS report.
Marked Improvements
A few credits stood out for significant improvements in the last three years. Pitt’s score in the Academic Courses category more than doubled, reflecting the significant increase in courses offered to students with sustainability focused or sustainability inclusive content. This was also true for Learning Outcomes, which highlighted the “Anti-Black Racism: History, Ideology, and Resistance” course that first-year students are automatically enrolled in for 1-credit.
Pitt’s credit for Employee Educators Program increased by from 0 to 1.5 points thanks to the new Pitt Green Ambassador Program, a peer-to-peer education program that helps embed sustainability across departments, campuses and areas of expertise.
There were huge gains in the Landscape Management category due the continued implementation of and expansion of sustainable landscape practices on campus including the electrification of Pitt Grounds’ equipment, eliminating chemical-based management practices, and exclusively using organic management practices on 10 acres.
Pitt’s score for “Cleaning and Janitorial Purchasing” more than doubled from the 2021 submission in response to the increase of expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products that were third party certified to meet recognized sustainability standards (58.97% in FY 23 compared to 26.14% in FY 21).
“Campus Fleet” score increased by 54% due to the addition of 11 electric vehicles to Pitt’s fleet.
Water conservation efforts receive perfect score!
Pitt achieved perfect marks in the “water use” category, driven by water efficiency project investments, including comprehensive water metering and monitoring to enable faster leak response times; plumbing fixture upgrades; and chilled water plant facilities updates that reduced University’s water usage by 30%. Pitt also continued to purse LEED building certifications for new buildings and large capital projects, which incorporate water conservation initiatives.
Through these efforts, Pitt achieved a 46% decrease in potable water use per weighted campus user (vs. 2014 baseline), a 48% decrease in water usage per square foot (vs. 2014 baseline), and a 72% decrease in water usage per acre of grounds (vs. 2014 baseline).
Innovations
Reporting bodies are able to document “Innovation” credits to earn a maximum of 4 points in this category. Out of the 50 optional innovation credits possible, Pitt documents initiatives in 31, showcasing how Pitt is a true innovator in the realm of sustainability. This submission also highlighted 4 unique projects and programs that were considered groundbreaking that are detailed below.
Pitt Sustainability Challenge
Held in December 2022, this public competition awarded $300,000 for the implementation of a single proposal that was considered the most impactful, durable, and feasible project to help advance Pitt towards carbon neutrality. Ecotone Renewables was the winner of the first Pitt Sustainability Challenge.
ScholarCHEF (Scholarship, Community, Honors, Ecosystems, and Food Community)
In Fall 2022, the University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation and Frederick Honors College partnered to create the ScholarCHEF program to connect students with faculty and community food ecosystem experts. The course brings together students from various academic backgrounds to learn about pollinator gardens, urban community farms, and healthy sustainable cooking practices; students also get hands-on work experience with local farms and both food apartheid and food justice.
Medical Supplies Diversion from Landfill via Global Links Partnership
Pitt has established a thriving partnership with Global Links, a Pittsburgh-based international nonprofit who shares U.S. healthcare surplus to support health programs globally and locally. This partnership helps Pitt and Global Links support medical practices in developing economy countries. In 2023, the partnership rescued 23 tons (or 46,852 pounds) of surplus from the Pittsburgh campus to improve global health (almost double what Pitt rescued last year)!
Pitt Tree Tender Training
In 2022, Pitt began offering free Tree Tender Trainings to the Pitt community in partnership with local nonprofit organization, Tree Pittsburgh. This new opportunity demonstrates the University’s commitment to supporting trees on- and off-campus, while also creating an ongoing educational opportunity for students and employees to learn tree care techniques and help maintain and grow tree canopy in Oakland and beyond.
Through December 2023, 130 Pitt community members have been certified as Tree Tenders through the Pitt Tree Tender offering. All Pitt Tree Tenders are eligible to volunteer their expertise to regional community plantings and tree maintenance projects.
