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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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 (NSW)
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
- Lebanese American University
- American University of Beirut
- 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 (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)
- University of Arizona (AZ)
- University of Delaware (DE)
- Utah State University (UT)
- University of Milano-Bicocca
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 (Victoria)
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
- Salem State University (MA)
- University of Miami (FL)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
- University of Regina (SK)
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Co. Kildare)
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 (Tamilnadu)
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
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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 (Tamilnadu)
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
- Photographs
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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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Energy Efficiency
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
Between 2002–2003, when the first energy efficiency measures were implemented, and 2023–2024, the energy intensity of the Université de Sherbrooke’s buildings was reduced by 46%. This substantial decrease played a …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Free Public Transit Access for Sherbrooke’s Student Community
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
In 2024, the agreement between the Université de Sherbrooke and the Société de transport de Sherbrooke, which provides Sherbrooke’s student community with free access to public transit, celebrated its 20th …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Intercity Public Transportation Service
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Université de Sherbrooke signed an agreement with Transdev Limocar for an intercity public transportation service that connects the city of Sherbrooke with Longueuil and Montreal. Each year, thanks to …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Forest Living Lab
- Canadore College (ON)
- Colleges and Institutes Canada (ON)
Tree planting as part of Canadore College’s Forest Living Lab - an initiative that established a 10-year forest management plan and made Canadore the first campus in Canada to earn …
- Posted July 14, 2025
- Photographs
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En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator
- Climate Interactive
En-ROADS is an online simulator that provides policymakers, educators, businesses, the media, and the public with the ability to test and explore cross-sector climate solutions. It allows users to explore …
- Posted June 18, 2025
- Tools
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University of Tasmania research on climate impacts on biodiversity
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
University of Tasmania is a leader in climate action and research as demonstrated in being ranked #1 in Climate Action of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings from 2022-2024. Researchers …
- Posted June 6, 2025
- Photographs
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Renewable Energy coursework at the University of Tasmania's School of Climate Safe Engineering
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
Students undertaking coursework within the School of Climate Safe Engineering focused on renewable energy installations on the roof of the University of Tasmania's Engineering building. The University is pivoting the …
- Posted June 6, 2025
- Photographs
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University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Posted June 6, 2025
- Photographs
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University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Posted June 6, 2025
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Award Webinar: Binghamton 2 Degrees: Building Community Resilience Through Collaborative Action
- Binghamton University (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
Binghamton 2 Degrees is a transformative initiative uniting Binghamton University and the greater Binghamton community to envision a resilient future under the looming threat of two degrees of warming. Through …
- Posted June 6, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Earth Day Solar Field Dedication and Campus Clean-up at Gustavus Adolphus College, MN
- Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
ST. PETER, Minn. (April 22, 2025) — Gustavus Adolphus held a ribbon cutting Earth Day, Tuesday 4.22, to celebrate the launch of the Gustavus Solar Field, a new on-campus 1.1 …
- Posted April 28, 2025
- Photographs
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Michigan State Students Volunteer at Pollinator Gardens
- Michigan State University (MI)
Michigan State University students demonstrated their commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement this Earth Month during the annual Spring Spartan Day of Service. Working along the picturesque Red Cedar …
- Posted April 28, 2025
- Photographs
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Campus Bloom Day
- Instituto de Empresa SL
Campus Bloom Day is a community-driven event where students, faculty, and staff come together to plant pollinator-friendly flowers and greenery across campus! We created vibrant habitats for bees, butterflies, and …
- Posted April 24, 2025
- Photographs
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Earth Day 2025 at Stellenbosch University
- Stellenbosch University (Western Cape)
Stellenbosch University’s students and staff took to the streets on campus to celebrate Earth Day 2025 with a walk and clean-up on 22 April 2025, committing to this year’s theme …
- Posted April 24, 2025
- Photographs
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Balik Buhay: Garden and Greenhouse Rehabilitation
- De La Salle Lipa (BATANGAS)
De La Salle Lipa Partners engaged in the rehabilitation of the campus garden, where life and plants once thrived and blossomed. In nurturing the land, they shared a common purpose …
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Photographs
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Earth Day at Cuyahoga Community College
- Cuyahoga Community College (OH)
Campus events have been pretty slow-going since COVID, but we had a fantastic turnout today. Students received free books and aluminum water bottles after answering climate-related trivia questions. They learned …
- Posted April 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Deree Science Day 2025
- The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)
Deree Science Day 2025 brought together students, faculty, and science enthusiasts for a dynamic day of discovery, innovation, and hands-on learning. Featuring engaging workshops, interactive experiments, and expert-led discussions, the …
- Posted April 17, 2025
- Photographs
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University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)’s Green Fee Board evaluates student sustainability awareness and engagement through their Campus Sustainability Survey
- University of Alaska Anchorage (AK)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)’s Green Fee Board evaluates student sustainability awareness and engagement through their Campus Sustainability Survey
Sustainability awareness and engagement are imperative for creating a greener campus. …
- Posted April 8, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Tree-Growing Activity
- De La Salle Lipa (BATANGAS)
Tree planting activities continuously educate Lasallian partners from De La Salle Lipa to appreciate nature and its preservation for the next generation.
- Posted April 8, 2025
- Photographs
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Climate Risks and Resilience at Dickinson College: Strategies for Continuity of Operations
- Dickinson College (PA)
Prepared for Building Climate Resilience at Dickinson and in Central Pennsylvania, an initiative of Dickinson College, the Borough of Carlisle, and Cumberland County, PA, as part of Dickinson’s Baird Sustainability …
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Publications
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Climate Risks and Resilience at Dickinson College: Strategies for College Finances
- Bard College (NY)
- Dickinson College (PA)
Prepared for Building Climate Resilience at Dickinson and in Central Pennsylvania, an initiative of Dickinson College, the Borough of Carlisle, and Cumberland County, PA, as part of Dickinson’s Baird Sustainability …
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Publications
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Engaging our Emotions for Climate Anxiety Programming
- Reed College (OR)
- University of Oregon (OR)
Climate anxiety is prevalent among those who study and work in sustainability in higher education. The stress, anxiety, guilt, and other difficult emotions we face as sustainability practitioners have the …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Reducing Transportation Emissions: Climate Action & Mobility Justice
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
The transportation sector is the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S. California has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, and bold action is required for Cal State …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Who's Afraid of Goods & Services? Prioritization in a Vast Scope 3 Category
- Yale University (CT)
Has your institution struggled with choosing which categories within “Purchased Goods and Services” and “Capital Goods” to focus your efforts on? This session aims to help you assess this, not …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Tackling Scope 3 in any Universities Supply Chain
- American University (DC)
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Aramark (PA)
- Persefoni (AZ)
Scope 3 is a global blind spot for most universities, as well as most organizations. Scope 3 - Category 1 - Purchased Goods and Services - provides universities with a …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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It's Time to Address Financed Emissions From University Endowments
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
As the urgency of climate change grows, universities and other higher education institutions are increasingly accounting and reporting their annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Hundreds of higher education institutions participate …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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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.