What Pitt is Doing |

31.9%

GHG EMISSIONS

reduced between
2008 and 2020

86923

POUNDS

food diverted to combat hunger
since 2015

574

TONS

compostables diverted
from landfill
since 2014

What Pitt is Doing

Pitt has a long history of implementing sustainable practices, believing that through investments in sustainability, there will be long-term positive impacts on social, environmental, and economic patterns on campus, in the region, and around the world.

1990

Pitt signed the Talloires Declaration, which supports mobilizing the resources of higher education for sustainability.

2003

University established the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, which now spearheads University-wide sustainability research and education programs.

2008

Pitt's University Senate issued the "Statement on Sustainability."

2010

First Pitt Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory published, setting fiscal year 2008 as baseline year, along with emissions reductions goals. The GHG inventory has been updated for FY2011, 2014, 2017, & 2019; it will be updated annually moving forward.

2013

The University published its inaugural "Report on Sustainability" to highlight sustainability efforts and achievements across campus.

2014

Pitt launched the Student Office of Sustainability, an active contributor and voice in fostering awareness of sustainability throughout the Pitt community.

2016

Pitt's "University Sustainability Committee" re-created to establish cross-functional representation across faculty, staff, and students who serve as sustainability advocates and implementers across the University.

2018

First "Pitt Sustainability Plan" is unveiled. Office of Sustainability founded and University’s first Director of Sustainability hired to oversee Plan implementation. Pitt achieved AASHE STARS Silver, Bike Friendly University Bronze, & became an EPA Green Power Partner.

2020

University of Pittsburgh committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2037. Pitt adopted an investing ESG Policy and became a Bee Campus USA. University-wide sustainability body renamed Chancellor's Advisory Council on Sustainability.

2021

University of Pittsburgh achieved AASHE STARS Gold designation and was named BikePGH's Organization of the Year. Board of Trustees disclosed Pitt's endowment will have only 1% fossil fuels (or less) by the end of 2035.

2022

University of Pittsburgh published its first Climate Action Plan (focused on carbon neutrality by 2037) and first ESG Report for the Consolidated Endowment Fund. The Pittsburgh campus achieved its first Tree Campus designation.

Click through the years