51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ

At the 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ, sustainability is not just a buzzword, it's a commitment embedded into the institution.

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s approach to sustainability — laid out in the and — is about finding a balance among equity, environment and economics. Across operations, academics and research, 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ people are integrating practices to guide the University toward carbon neutrality by 2037.

Here are five more things you should know for Campus Sustainability Month:

1. Reducing waste in research and health care

The Green Labs program is helping to reduce the massive amounts of plastic waste generated by the scientific community — 12 billion pounds annually, to be exact. With more than 2,000 labs on campus, 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ has a significant opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint through pilot initiatives like Polycarbin, which offers pipette tip recycling, and the , which contains Greener Choice products from Fisher Scientific.

The health care industry alone accounts for 8.5% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this, 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ launched an Office of Sustainability in Health Sciences and the earlier this year, which is now to open to students with winners being announced on Nov. 15 at One Health Day.

2. 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ faculty, global leadership

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s sustainability leadership extends beyond campus thanks to the innovative research by our faculty. In September, Melissa Bilec, co-director of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, represented 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ at the One Planet Network Forum, a forum that informs key issues for the G20, where she advocated for circular systems in the built environment. And, earlier this year, a 17-member Faculty Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability, led by Bilec,ÌýÌýrecommending the creation of a 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ Sustainability Institute. The institute would aim to elevate 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ's research capacity, enhance sustainability education, and expand partnerships, positioning the University to tackle our most pressing environmental challenges.

3. Completing Bigelow Boulevard

You’ve probably walked Bigelow Boulevard countless times, but did you know it’s also 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s first ? Designed to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, its 2021 transformation added rain gardens, 6,200 new plants, and permeable surfaces that help absorb rainwater, reduce flooding, refill underground water supplies, and cool the area. ÌýThe new Panther Overlook transformation, which began in October, includes some of these same sustainability features.

4. Expanding solar power

Solar power has been a part of 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s campus for a decade, but has exploded in growth over the past year. Rooftop solar panels now adorning Posvar Hall, Petersen Sports Complex and Ruskin Hall, and being installed on David Lawrence Hall and Hillman Library, will generate more than 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power 61 homes. These solar installations, along with the Gaucho Solar Farm — the largest array of panels in Southwestern Pennsylvania — are key steps toward achieving 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s goal to source 50% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030.

5. Hail to sustainability

In 2024, the University achieved a major Plan for 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ goal — its first ranking in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, placing 24th among U.S. institutions. 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ has also maintained since 2021 a gold rating in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education STARS framework, which evaluates sustainability efforts across colleges and universities. Additionally, Tree Campus and Bee Campus recognitions reflect 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s dedication to green spaces and biodiversity.

How you can get involved

• Invite 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ Sustainability’s to your department to learn simple, impactful ways you can support sustainability at 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ every day. Presentations begin the week of Oct. 14.
• Visit the Broken Ground and Rewilding exhibits at the running until March 2025. Plus, attend an at 5 p.m. Oct. 3.
• on a walk with Tree 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵsburgh on Oct. 18.
• Hear Zealan Hoover of the EPA speak about climate anxiety and climate optimism at an Oct. 28 Heinz Lecture and Panel Discussion.
• Enroll now in workshops to earn the , open to all employees. Classes begin in October.

For more events, visit .

Ìý

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski