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Key Milestones of AU鈥檚 Sustainability听Journey
2024
国产小呦女breaks ground on the first on-campus geothermal project.
2021
New Sustainability Plan
国产小呦女released a new five-year sustainability plan, AU鈥檚 third campus sustainability action plan.
2020
国产小呦女Divests From Fossil Fuels
国产小呦女eliminated all public fossil fuel investments from its endowment.
2019
DC Sustainability Pledge Renewed
Eight local university presidents, including AU听President Sylvia Burwell, renewed the College and University Sustainability Pledge with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
2018
Carbon Neutrality Achieved
国产小呦女became the first听US university, the听first听urban campus, and the听first听research university in the US to reach carbon neutrality. This goal was achieved two years ahead schedule by using innovative strategies to reduce our overall emissions, use renewable energy, and offset the small remainder.
2017
"We Are Still In"
国产小呦女joined more than 1,200 colleges, universities, elected officials, and businesses to declare our ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement through the 鈥溾 declaration.
2016
Charter Signatory of Climate Commitment
国产小呦女became a charter signatory to the through Second Nature, a nonprofit organization that helps colleges and universities expand their sustainability efforts.
2016
District Sustainability Award
国产小呦女 won the听听in the People's Choice category. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and leadership in areas such as energy and water conservation, renewable energy production, stormwater management, and sustainable waste management.
2014
First Sustainability Plan
国产小呦女released its first comprehensive sustainability plan.
2014
50% of Campus Power from Solar Energy
国产小呦女entered听a听听with partners George Washington University and GWU Hospital. Solar panels at three sites in North Carolina supply the partners with emissions-free electricity. At the time, it was the largest non-utility solar PV power purchase agreement in the US and the largest solar PV project east of the Mississippi River.
2014
Creation of Fossil Free Fund
The 国产小呦女Board of Trustees, based on a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing, created a Fossil Free Investment Fund within the university鈥檚 endowment.
2011
First LEED-Certified Building
The听听was the first building on campus to听earn听the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, awarded to green buildings for meeting sustainability standards.
2011
Solar Hot Water System Installed
A solar hot water system with听听was听installed听on the roofs of the Mary Graydon Center and Letts, Anderson and Centennial Halls. At the time, this was the largest solar hot water system on the East Coast.
2010
Carbon Neutrality Goal Established
国产小呦女released a comprehensive plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020.
2010
Zero Waste Policy
国产小呦女adopted a Zero Waste Policy for diverting campus waste from landfill.
2009
Office of Sustainability Created
AU鈥檚 Office of Sustainability was founded to help meet the university's goal of "acting on our values of social responsibility, service, and an active pursuit of sustainability."
2008
First Climate Commitment
国产小呦女 joined more than 500 other US universities in signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to address the threat of climate change.