51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ

From committing to carbon neutrality to transforming the regional economy with green investments, Earth Day is every day at 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ.

To celebrate, 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵwire is revisiting stories that highlight the accomplishments of 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s community and its continued commitment to sustainability. Check out stories of our sustainability champions, green research and student efforts to make the world a better place.

Plus, we’ve got , every day.

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s commitments, research and student successes

In case you missed it: The 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ has , 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s 250th anniversary. The 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ Climate Action Plan, released in early 2022, spells out exactly how the University will achieve that goal through investments in clean energy, transportation, efficiency and other areas.

And here are still more efforts that show the University’s progress. For the most up to date news on green initiatives, .

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s latest greenhouse gas inventory shows progress toward carbon neutrality
A report led by grad student Jessica Vaden shows a decrease in campus emissions by almost a third since 2008.

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ is BikePGH’s 2021 Organization of the Year
From bike caves to free rides, the 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵsburgh campus is building a bike-friendly culture, no matter the weather.

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ-Bradford receives funding for green building project
A $230,000 grant will support a rooftop solar array and educational dashboard at the new Engineering and Information Technologies Building, which is expected to receive a gold level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Student-led Relearn Our Land initiative encourages advocacy and equity
A sustainability course inspired three students to create a garden and educational campaign that will honor Aborigine American, Indigenous and Native cultural groups.

The Heinz Endowments gives $800,000 to 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s Center for Sustainable Business
The two-year grant will be used to help companies large and small to improve overall business practices, environmental quality and economic equality.

The University’s 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵsburgh campus earned a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award
The recognition demonstrates 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. , and try out  (formerly Healthy Ride), 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵsburgh’s bike sharing system, for free.

A nonpartisan team led by Leslie Marshall in 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s Center for Sustainable Business has created a roadmap for climate-friendly industrial growth over the next decade to add jobs and economic prospects across the Ohio Valley.

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ extends its partnership with Enterprise to support sustainability goals
The partnership will help 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ reduce costs and upgrade its fleet with alternative energy vehicles, which will further support the University’s commitment to making the campus carbon neutral by 2037.

A new solar power deal is moving 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ closer to its commitment to be a carbon neutral campus by 2037.

For Pollinator Week 2020, bees, butterflies, bugs and bats were pollinating on Pennsylvania’s newest Bee Campus USA. And did you know that the to the U.S. economy is a whopping $34 billion? A study from 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ engineers explains.

The competition asked students to apply green infrastructure design principles to college campuses across the nation.

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ Med students created Polycarbin, a recycling system for medical plastic, and won first place at the 2020 Randall Family Big Idea Competition for their salvaging company.