Sustainability Operations and Practices
Arizona State University is a model for sustainability operations and practices around the country and has made significant strides in several key areas. Through four overarching sustainability goals – climate neutrality, zero solid and water waste, active engagement and principled practice – ASU takes seriously reducing consumption, maximizing efficiency and rethinking products and actions.
ASU has made significant strides in its sustainability goals over the past year. Our latest Sustainability Operations Annual Review reflects some of the high points we have achieved to date. View the Annual Review and take a moment to read about what ASU is doing.
What ASU is Doing
ASU recognizes that sustainability begins internally with its own business practices and policies.
What You Can Do at ASU
Students, faculty and staff across the university are making a positive impact in many ways.
Sustainability Tour
ASU campuses house a variety of buildings, programs and design elements that embody the university’s initiative to become a “living laboratory” for sustainability.
Our Sustainable Commitment
Arizona State University has made an institutional commitment to lead by example through the sustainable operations of its campuses. By demonstrating exemplary practices and sharing solutions, ASU stimulates changes in individual, institutional and corporate behaviors to create a more sustainable world.
ASU launched its sustainable operations plan with the signing of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Four critical pillars focus the university’s effort: climate neutrality, zero water/solid waste, active engagement and principled practice.
Four Critical Goals
Climate Neutrality
ASU commits to eliminating 100 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions from building energy and waste-related sources by 2025, and 100 percent of its carbon emissions from transportation by 2035. The strategic blueprint that will guide and inform how we will meet these goals is ASU’s Climate Action Plan.
Zero Solid & Water Waste
ASU commits to minimizing waste through diversion and aversion. ASU reduces water waste by the use of more efficient fixtures, better water management and distribution of effluent water for use by mechanical and irrigation systems. Solid waste is diverted from the landfill through recycling, repurposing, reusing and composting.
Active Engagement
ASU engages its community through education, participation, collaboration and recognition aimed at encouraging individual initiative. Each campus serves as a living laboratory that provides hands-on learning and the opportunity to develop knowledge and share resources.
Principled Practice
ASU believes its value of sustainability should be expressed in the way the university operates and people engage with it. Principled Practice addresses how the university community contributes to ASU’s climate neutrality and zero waste goals within our offices, labs, events, shops, housing and classrooms.
