U Michigan Publishes DEI 2.0 Plan

The recently launched Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) 2.0 Plan includes strategy by the central administration and by the 51 university units throughout the university that will engage in DEI activities for the next five years through 2028.

Duke U Reaches Carbon Neutrality

Having reduced its greenhouse gas emissions 31 percent since 2007, the university reached carbon neutrality through a combination of energy savings, investments in renewable energy and retiring 232,000 offset credits amassed from multiple projects.

Princeton Review Publishes 2025 Guide to Green Colleges

The newest Guide to Green Colleges profiles 511 higher education institutions that foster a culture of environmental responsibility. Collectively of the institutions in the guide, 28 percent obtain energy from renewable sources, 46 percent of waste is diverted from landfills and incinerators, 98 percent offer a sustainability-focused undergraduate major or degree, and 100 percent have a sustainability officer.

Johns Hopkins Publishes Climate Action & Sustainability Plan

The newly minted Climate Action and Sustainability Plan, developed over the past two years with input from thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni and Baltimore residents, commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040; purchasing all electricity from renewable sources by 2030; deploying a fully electric vehicle fleet by 2026; ensuring that all light-duty and passenger vehicles purchased by the university are all-electric by 2030; increasing the diversion of all waste to 50 percent; and expanding the impact of research and teaching to develop global solutions and train future leaders.

U California San Diego Receives $7M for Campus Microgrid Battery System

The new funding will allow the university to replace a decade old lithium-ion battery system that's part of its 55-megawatt campus microgrid. Scheduled to come online in the latter half of 2025, the new system represents an eightfold increase in energy capacity.

Amherst College Earns STARS Version 3 Gold

The college recently achieved STARS Gold under the latest version of STARS. Points of distinction include campus energy decarbonization through a geothermal, low-temperature hot water system and renewable electricity; a need-blind admissions process for all students that meets 100 percent of domestic and international students’ calculated need; and working toward a circular move-in and -out waste stream.

London School of Economics Announces Global School of Sustainability

The new school aims to conduct innovative research addressing five key challenges for policymakers: generating sustainable growth and development; creating sustainable finance and business; mobilizing political, legal and governance systems; transforming behaviors; and protecting and enhancing nature and biodiversity. The school will also establish a research fund and help embed sustainability into core undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Dillard U & Partner to Receive $19M for Resiliency & Pollution Reduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced over $19M in community grant funding for the university and United Way of Southeast Louisiana to reduce pollution and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters. This funding will improve transportation access, expand bike sharing programs and increase EV chargers. Several buildings will be retrofit with energy-efficient HVAC systems, solar power and energy storage so they can serve as community resilience hubs during emergencies. The university will also launch new non-degree certificate programs in clean energy and climate resilience.