Air & Climate
Introduction
Global climate change is having myriad negative impacts throughout the world, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather events, sea level rise, species extinction, water shortages, declining agricultural production, and spread of diseases. The impacts are particularly pronounced for low-income communities and countries. In addition, institutions that inventory and take steps to reduce their air pollutant emissions can positively impact the health of the campus community, as well as the health of their local communities and regions.
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Plant It Forward: Leadership and Community United for Sustainable Action
- University Mohammed VI Polytechnic
As part of UM6P's Plant It Forward initiative during Sustainability Week, the University's President, the Head of the Sustainability Office, and the Head of the Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer …
- Posted July 20, 2026
- Photographs
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Carbon neutral banners on Oberlin College and Conservatory campus
- Oberlin College (OH)
Oberlin College and Conservatory celebrates carbon neutrality with banners through campus.
- Posted July 16, 2026
- Photographs
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Connecticut College Solar Array Construction
- Connecticut College (CT)
A current student and alumni work on a student-designed solar array at Connecticut College.
- Posted July 15, 2026
- Photographs
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Drone Image
- Macalester College (MN)
Drone Image Showing Macalester College Campus Solar Installations and an image of a MacShare Student Cooperative Sale on campus
- Posted July 10, 2026
- Photographs
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Bates Students with EV Charger
- Bates College (ME)
Two Bates EcoReps stand next to an EV charger they wrote a grant for - they work on the Energy Solutions team, which helps advise the college on building standards, …
- Posted July 10, 2026
- Photographs
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Shuffle for Climate Justice
- Concordia University (QC)
Members of Concordia University's Shuffle for Climate Justice team gather before participating in the annual Concordia Shuffle and Montreal's climate march. Organized by Concordia's Office of Sustainability, the team raises …
- Posted June 22, 2026
- Photographs
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Concordia community mobilizes for climate action
- Concordia University (QC)
Students, faculty, staff and community members participate in a climate march in downtown Montreal, demonstrating Concordia University's commitment to climate action, civic engagement and environmental advocacy. By supporting participation in …
- Posted June 22, 2026
- Photographs
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Sustainable Mobility on Concordia University's Sir George Williams Campus
- Concordia University (QC)
These images showcase Concordia University's commitment to sustainable transportation and a more livable urban campus. Protected cycling infrastructure, bicycle parking and tree-lined streets encourage active transportation while enhancing the public …
- Posted June 22, 2026
- Photographs
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TREE GROWING : MANGROVE PLANTING and COASTAL CLEAN UP
- De La Salle Lipa
The “One Million Trees and Beyond” (OMTB) Tree Growing and Coastal Clean-Up initiative, conducted at the Batangas City Mangrove Conservation Eco Park in Malitam during SY 2025–2026, engaged volunteers in …
- Posted May 12, 2026
- Photographs
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Earth Day 2026 Celebration: 𝙶𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚃𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚝 "𝙰𝚍𝚘𝚙𝚝-𝙰-𝙿𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚝"
- De La Salle Lipa
The “Adopt-A-Plant” initiative, held on April 21, 2026 at the CB Grounds of De La Salle Lipa, Philippines in celebration of Earth Day, encouraged members of the community to practice …
- Posted May 12, 2026
- Photographs
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Earth Day 2026 Celebration : DLSL Campus Run
- De La Salle Lipa
In celebration of Earth Day, the De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) Campus Sustainability Hub, in collaboration with the DLSL Running Club and Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) , successfully conducted …
- Posted May 12, 2026
- Photographs
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Scope 3 GHG Emissions Accounting for Universities: Methodological Guide
- Réseau de l'Université du Québec pour le Développement Durable (QC)
The guide is available in English and French.
This methodological guide for quantifying Scope 3 GHG emissions is intended as a shared reference tool to help all Quebec universities share …
- Posted April 27, 2026
- Publications
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Sustainability Student Committee: A Cross-disciplinary Student Hub for Environmental Awareness and Climate Action
- Instituto de Empresa SL
The Sustainability Student Committee (SSC) is a student-led, cross-disciplinary initiative that empowers students in climate and environmental awareness, turning concern, confusion, or eco-anxiety into collective, practical climate action. The SSC …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Expanding Environmental Justice Knowledge at Johns Hopkins University
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
For almost two years, I have been working with departments at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Baltimore community members, and external professors to uplift environmental justice efforts and concerns in South …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Oberlin College and Conservatory’ s Sustainable Infrastructure Program
- Ever-Green Energy (MN)
- Oberlin College (OH)
Oberlin College and Conservatory’s (the College) Sustainable Infrastructure Program (SIP) was an initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, and has energized future climate action on campus and in the …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Software-Only HVAC Optimization at Lilac Hall: A Scalable Model for High-Impact Campus Energy Efficiency
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
In an era of rising energy costs and increasingly ambitious climate commitments, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) partnered with KenergyAI to transform the energy performance of Lilac Hall through a …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Students Advance Carbon Neutrality at Northern Michigan University: Early Progress, Engagement, and Lessons Learned
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
Northern Michigan University is making steady, measurable progress toward carbon neutrality, demonstrating a campus‑wide effort with meaningful environmental and social impact. Two years into implementing its 2050 Carbon Neutrality Plan, …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
- Case Studies
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Catalyzing a New York Climate Solutions Community of Practice
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
In the fall of 2024, 24 faculty and 6 staff participants representing fifteen different academic disciplines and career services and sustainability departments, from eight campuses in the diverse State University …
- Posted Jan. 26, 2026
- Case Studies
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From Risk to Readiness: Institutionalizing Climate Resilience at McGill University
- McGill University (QC)
In 2024, McGill University released its first climate risk assessment, identifying the risks posed by a changing climate to its campus infrastructure, operations, and community. By providing a comprehensive understanding …
- Posted Jan. 22, 2026
- Case Studies
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Navigating High-Integrity Carbon Credits in Higher Education Sustainability Strategies
- AASHE (MA)
- Calyx Global
- CNaught (CA)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Williams College (MA)
As higher education institutions work toward ambitious climate commitments, many are exploring how carbon credits can responsibly support their broader sustainability strategies. This session brings together experts and practitioners to …
- Posted Jan. 22, 2026
- Videos & Webinars
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Decarbonization is Happening in U.S. Higher Education, but Carbon Neutrality Goals Alone are not Delivering it
- Hamilton College-Clinton.NY (NY)
- Smith College (MA)
Carbon neutrality emerged as an overall framework for climate action several decades ago, with the assumption that institutions would follow a carbon management hierarchy - reducing their own emissions (i.e. …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2026
- Publications
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The Urban Resilience Fellows Program: Bridging Higher Ed and Municipal Innovation
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
The Urban Resilience Fellows Program is a pioneering interdisciplinary initiative that connects UT Arlington students and faculty with local government and industry partners to develop innovative solutions for North Texas' …
- Posted Jan. 15, 2026
- Case Studies
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MGH IHP Career Closet Pop-up
- MGH Institute of Health Professions (MA)
Many health professional students reported the need for business casual clothing, but the cost of these items was prohibitive. The Career Closet Pop-up helps provide students with free professional attire …
- Posted Oct. 8, 2025
- Case Studies
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A Ground Source Heat Pump Solution for Colorado State University
- Colorado State University (CO)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
Colorado State University (CSU) installed a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system to provide heating and cooling to its 420,000-square-feet Moby Athletic Complex. The Moby Complex contains an 8,000-seat basketball …
- Posted Sept. 15, 2025
- Case Studies
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Webinar: Create Your Own Climate Change Quilt
- AASHE (MA)
- Binghamton University (NY)
Are you frustrated with the lack of attention being given to climate change? Make your voices heard by participating in the Climate Change Quilt project. Join Binghamton University and the …
- Posted Sept. 15, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Greenhouse gas accounting for investment portfolios: quantifying financed emissions at a public research university
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
As the urgency of climate change grows, higher education institutions are increasingly accounting for, and reporting, their annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. An often-overlooked source of GHG emissions are those …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2025
- Publications
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Carbon Neutrality Plan
- University of Windsor (ON)
Contents 1. Project overview, objectives and methodology 2. Current state analysis 3. Setting targets and establishing the campus roadmap 4. Financial planning, impossible, future project spotlights 5. Accountability
- Posted Aug. 20, 2025
- Publications
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Climate-Related Financial Disclosure 2024
- University of Sydney
This voluntary climate disclosure for the year ended 31 December 2024 has been prepared in partial alignment with the Reporting framework for first year climate-related financial disclosures (TPG24-33), issued by …
- Posted Aug. 20, 2025
- Publications
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Librarian Anna Kelly shows off one of our rental bikes!
- Clarkson University (NY)
Librarian Anna Kelly shows off one of our rental bikes!
- Posted Aug. 18, 2025
- Photographs
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The Challenges of Interrupting Climate Colonialism in Higher Education: Reflections on a University Climate Emergency Plan
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
In this article, the question is posed about how higher education institutions might begin to confront the connections between climate change and colonization. To address this question, the dynamics through …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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The role of higher education and institutional quality for carbon neutrality: Evidence from emerging economies
- American University of Beirut
- Lebanese American University
- Ningbo University of Finance and Economics
Economic development is frequently held accountable for environmental degradation, a situation that is particularly dire in E-7 economies. This problem is further exacerbated by inadequate education on its repercussions. Previous …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Knowledge, urgency and agency: reflections on climate change education course outcomes
- Lakehead University (ON)
- Mount Royal University (AB)
This research arose out of conversations among climate change education instructors teaching at Lakehead University and our shared interest to better understand student experiences in our courses, with the intention …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Can We Measure Universities’ Impact on Climate Change?
- University College London
Universities have a growing interest in understanding the impact that they have on climate change, whether positive or negative. Yet beyond the direct emissions from their campuses, is it possible …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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The failure to decarbonize the global energy education system: Carbon lock-in and stranded skill sets
- Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
The energy transition involves the transformation of professions and labour markets, which in turn depend on the availability of a workforce with the right education and competence. This study assesses …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Science-based targets for higher education? Evaluating alignment between Ivy+ climate action plans and the Science-Based Targets initiative’s net-zero standards
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which a sample of US-based higher education institution’s (HEI’s) climate targets and associated climate action planning efforts align …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Academic capture in the Anthropocene: a framework to assess climate action in higher education
- Montana State University (MT)
- The University of Arizona (AZ)
- University of Delaware (DE)
- University of Milano-Bicocca
- Utah State University (UT)
Higher education institutions have a mandate to serve the public good, yet in many cases fail to adequately respond to the global climate crisis. The inability of academic institutions to …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Universities, Sustainability, and Neoliberalism: Contradictions of the Climate Emergency Declarations
- Cardiff University
UK universities have been successively declaring a climate emergency, following the University of Bristol’s lead in 2019. Universities are key actors in climate change education, and potentially progressive organisations researching, …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Net-Zero Heroes? Climate Change Mitigation Efforts and Strategies across Australian Group-of-Eight Universities
- University of Melbourne
Businesses are increasingly declaring their operations to be “carbon neutral” or “net-zero”. But how real are these claims? We investigated the climate mitigation efforts of the eight leading universities in …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Fossil fuel industry influence in higher education: A review and a research agenda
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth
- Salem State University (MA)
- University of Miami (FL)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- University of Regina (SK)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
The evolution of fossil fuel industry tactics for obstructing climate action, from outright denial of climate change to more subtle techniques of delay, is under growing scrutiny. One key site …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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University of Virginia Decarbonization Academy
- University of Virginia (VA)
SCI 2025: Eight-week decarbonization academy program - The Decarbonization Academy at University of Virginia is an immersive learning experience for students who are interested in working towards UVA’s sustainability goals …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Climate Vulnerability Index
- Texas A&M University (TX)
These images depict the overall climate vulnerability of the United States. There are three images to choose from:
- Overall Climate Vulnerability map of U.S. (map only version)
- Overall Climate Vulnerability …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Green Campus Platinum certification
- Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering
SSN College of Engineering, India's first STARS-rated institution under the AASHE framework, has proudly received the prestigious Platinum Certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its Green Campus. …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Northern Michigan University campus aerial
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
Aerial photo of the Northern Michigan University campus at sunrise in Marquette, Michigan
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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UBC Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
UBC’s pathway to a net-zero, climate resilient community for the campus neighborhoods.
- Posted Aug. 6, 2025
- Publications
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UBC Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan Progress Update
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
This report provides a 2025 progress update on NCAP implementation by scope area. The report tracks progress towards building climate resilience and reducing GHG emissions since NCAP was approved in …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2025
- Publications
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EcoPark Project
- American University of Central Asia
Center for Civic Engagement holds annual tree planting event during each Spring and Fall at Elm Grove, drawing wide participation and community support. The event was organized in partnership with …
- Posted July 31, 2025
- Photographs
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Sustainable Landscaping Enhancing Biodiversity at SSN College
- Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering
This photograph captures a thriving biodiversity patch within the sustainably managed campus landscape of SSN College of Engineering, Chennai. The campus is home to over 300 trees across 66 different …
- Posted July 28, 2025
- Photographs
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Solar panel installation at American University Bender Arena
- American University (DC)
Workers install solar panels in a new solar panel installation at American University in Washington DC in 2025.
- Posted July 24, 2025
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Amherst College Climate Action Messaging
- Amherst College (MA)
Amherst College aims to decarbonize its campus by 2030 through a transformative modernization of its energy system from a fossil fuel based steam system to an electric, low temperature hot …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Amherst College Climate Action
- Amherst College (MA)
Amherst College aims to decarbonize its campus by 2030 through a transformative modernization of its energy system from its current fossil fuel based steam heating system to an electric, low …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
OP 1: Emissions Inventory & Disclosure
- Description of the methodology and/or tool used to complete the GHG emissions inventory
- GHG emissions inventory (upload)
- Brief description of the GHG inventory verification process
- Brief description of the methodology for completing an air emissions inventory
OP 2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user, performance year
- Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year
- A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives
- Website URL where information about the institution's GHG emissions is available
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.