Publications

Introduction

AASHE’s publications library is the leading repository of reports, journal articles, books, and student research on sustainability in higher education. Certain publication types are entered in the annual AASHE Awards Program.

At a Glance

3958
Total Resources
1908
Organizations
99
Countries
58
U.S. States & Territories
12
Canadian Provinces

Bars in graphs can be clicked to view resources that align with a particular category. Because a resource may be listed under multiple topics and disciplines, graph data may include higher total counts than what is indicated in total resources above.

3958 resources

Vision 2020 Update

  • State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)

The College’s first strategic plan, in 2003, benchmarked who we were (are) and who we wanted to be. This thinking was encapsulated in Vision 2020. In the fall of 2015, …


Clean Energy Master Plan

  • State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Campus Challenge Partner under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) REV …


State of Sustainability 2021 Report

  • Colorado College (CO)

This report highlights much of that work and celebrates the continued dedicated work of the Campus Sustainability Council, Facilities Services, individual academic departments, offices and divisions across campus, student efforts …


Climate Action Plan

  • Lane Community College (OR)

The 2017 Climate Action Plan 2.0 update represents the accomplishments and lessons learned in the six years since the first plan was published. The 2017 CAP 2.0 details time lines …


Climate Action Plan

  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)

The following document, Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Climate Action Plan, is both strategic and long-term in nature. The Climate Action Plan is designed to fulfill the Colleges’ obligation to …


Policy on Sustainable Practices

  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)

The Sustainable Practices Policy (“Policy”) establishes goals in nine areas of sustainable practices: green building, clean energy, transportation, climate protection, sustainable operations, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable procurement, sustainable foodservice, …


Climate Action Plan

  • University of California, San Diego (CA)

In 2008, UC San Diego developed its first campus Climate Action Plan (CAP) for implementing the University’s climate strategy to meet State and UC climate policies and objectives. Specifically, the …


Climate Action Plan

  • State University of New York at Oswego (NY)

As a signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), SUNY Oswego has made a commitment to improving the world environment. Building on the September 2009 Climate …


Climate Action Plan

  • Carleton College (MN)

Carleton’s Climate Action Plan presents a practical approach that reflects Carleton’s current planning environment, ranging from the good fortune of our upcoming alumnisponsored wind turbine to realistic challenges such as …


Sustainability at Duquesne

  • Duquesne University (PA)

At Duquesne University, the concept of sustainability is best expressed through the Catholic commitment to “the integrity of creation,” a profound respect for and fundamental attitude of reverence toward the …


2021 Sustainability Plan

  • American University (DC)

This sustainability plan is American University’s third campus sustainability action plan. It builds on the progress (including 100% renewable electricity, carbon neutrality, and fossil fuel divestment) made with the 2014 …


Sustainability Goals and Vision

  • Arizona State University (AZ)

ASU is committed to leading the world by example with the following sustainability goals:

Circular Resource System: Promoting Zero Waste by adapting the goods we consume to maximize their use …


Climate Action Vision 2019

  • Barnard College (NY)

This vision is the product of a collaborative, communitywide effort. During the 2017-2018 academic year, the College hosted a “Campus Conversation” workshop series in which faculty, staff, and students worked …


Climate Action Plan

  • Binghamton University (NY)

In September 2007, President Lois B. DeFleur signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), pledging to eliminate, over time, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with Binghamton University’s …


Sustainability Master Plan

  • Black Hills State University (SD)

This Sustainability Master Plan represents BHSU’s desire to take their sustainability commitment to the next level. This plan sets important new goals for the university to meet by 2030. Achieving …


Environmental Sustainability Research Centre Strategic Plan

  • Brock University (ON)

The ESRC Strategic Plan communicates our core principles and details how we will achieve our mission from 2018-2023. It is put forward amidst unprecedented environmental challenges, increasing emphasis on sustainability, …


Environmental Sustainability Plan

  • Brock University (ON)

This report builds on the University’s Sustainability Policy established in 2016 and creates a foundation for the tracking of sustainability initiatives enacted at Brock University to date. This plan, as …


Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan

  • Brock University (ON)

With the issuance of this revised energy conservation and demand management plan (ECDM), Brock University is re-affirming its commitment to energy conservation and sustainable operations. The conservation and demand management …


Sustainability Progress Report

  • California State University, Channel Islands (CA)

Living sustainably means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. Environmental sustainability is one of the strategic priorities at CSU Channel Islands (CI). Facilities …


Annual Sustainability Report

  • California State University, Dominguez Hills (CA)

In the 2018-19 fiscal year (FY), California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) made several important strides towards supporting sustainability on campus.


Water Action Plan

  • California State University, Long Beach (CA)

CSULB is committed to sustainability in all operations including the use of natural resources such as water. The campus aims to reduce water use as much as possible and use …


Strategic Energy Plan

  • California State University, Long Beach (CA)

California State University, Long Beach currently has 96 buildings on its campus spread over 323 acres with a total approximate square footage of 4,400,000. The Campus has executed numerous energy …


Landscape Master Plan

  • California State University, Long Beach (CA)

This Landscape Master Plan provided for CSULB seeks to identify important aspects of the campus landscape and its systems and provide recommendation on how to preserve and enhance the campus …


Climate Action Plan

  • California State University, Long Beach (CA)

The Climate Action Plan—developed by dedicated faculty, students and staff on our Sustainability Task Force—outlines ambitious strategies to achieve the kind of reductions needed to meaningfully address the climate crisis. …


Campus Sustainability Plan

  • California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)

This plan includes 12 topic areas with Environmental Justice and Inclusion being integrated throughout the plan. The goals and recommendation in each topic area consider existing campus guiding documents and …


Climate Action Plan

  • California State University, Sacramento (CA)

The Plan sets forth a series of practical ways that campus programs, departments and physical infrastructure can continue to move the campus and all its users further towards environmental sustainability …


Environmental Sustainability: A Roadmap for Calvin College

  • Calvin University (MI)

In January 2016, Calvin College President Michael Le Roy indicated an interest in the feasibility of signing the Second Nature Carbon Commitment. Consequently, Vice Presidents Todd Hubers and Sally Vanderploeg …


Diversity Report & Action Plan

  • Cleveland State University (OH)

The 2019 - 2020 Diversity Action Plan builds on the Pursuing Inclusive Excellence document of 2016 with practical objectives designed to impact diversity at CSU and move the ball forward …


Sustainability Action Plan

  • College of Charleston (SC)

The strategic plan is designed to guide the College's sustainability efforts. It is a comprehensive approach to normatively and empirically test and steer the process toward specific goals and targets …


Sustainability Plan 2019-2021

  • College of Lake County (IL)

The College of Lake County Sustainability Plan establishes an ambitious agenda for the college to be a leader for sustainability in higher education. The Climate Action Plan sets goals for …


Annual Sustainability Plan Performance Report

  • College of Lake County (IL)

The 2019-21 Sustainability Plan provides a streamlined format for evaluating and tracking the progress of sustainability at the College of Lake County. Each of the thirteen goals has its own …


Strategic Plan of the Cornell University Sustainability Task Force: Proposing Cornell’s Radical Collaboration on Solutions for Sustainability

  • Cornell University (NY)

The Cornell University Sustainability Plan is administered by the Sustainable Cornell Council (SCC), the governance body for campus sustainability and climate change leadership at the Ithaca, NY campus.


Carbon neutrality should not be the end goal: Lessons for institutional climate action from U.S. higher education

  • Hamilton College-Clinton.NY (NY)
  • Smith College (MA)
  • Ceres (MA)

Climate action pledges have increasingly taken the form of commitments to net carbon neutrality. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are uniquely positioned to innovate in this area, and over 800 United …


Sustainability at Stanford 2020-21 Year In Review

  • Stanford University (CA)

Explore the 2020-21 academic year milestones, key initiatives, and performance metrics that underscore Stanford's pledge to meaningful progress and applied innovation on sustainability.


Zero waste policy evaluation of college campus. A case study of University of Florida.

  • University of Florida (FL)

Waste generation and disposal of that waste is as big of an issue as climate change. Different factors come into play in developed and developing world. In developing countries litter …


A Campus Sustainability Map Organized by the UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

In recent years, many institutions of higher education have posted sustainability maps on the Internet. These maps typically highlight campus features and some even provide tours. One way to locate …


Pedagogies for sustainability: insights from a foundational sustainability course in the built environment

  • RMIT University

Abstract Purpose This paper aims to draw on an in-depth qualitative case study of an undergraduate sustainability education course to show the extent of pedagogical reflection and teaching capability demonstrated …


Sustainability Master Plan

  • California State University, San Marcos (CA)

Many of the goals in this document entail similar long-term, campus-wide efforts. In addition, recommendations for periodic assessment and reevaluation will enable the University to respond to and implement new …

  • Posted Aug. 26, 2021
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2020 Sustainable Campus Index

  • AASHE (MA)

The 2020 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI) recognizes top-performing colleges and universities overall by institution type and in 17 sustainability impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating …


UW Sustainability Action Plan

  • University of Washington, Seattle (WA)

The Sustainability Action Plan is built on five Guiding Principles addressing student learning outcomes, research impact, diversity equity & inclusion, responsible use of our resources, and of course, decarbonization of …

  • Posted July 15, 2021
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Lehigh, Lafayette, Muhlenberg and Dickinson Join Forces for Unprecedented Renewable Energy Project

  • Dickinson College (PA)
  • Lafayette College (PA)
  • Lehigh University (PA)
  • Muhlenberg College (PA)
  • Coho Climate Advisors (MD)

In February 2020, Lehigh University, Lafayette College, Muhlenberg College and Dickinson College announced a partnership to purchase renewable energy as a collective. Together, the four schools will purchase the largest …

  • Posted July 15, 2021
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Food Choice and Waste in University Dining Commons—A Menus of Change University Research Collaborative Study

  • Lebanon Valley College (PA)
  • Rice University (TX)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)
  • University of California, Davis (CA)

The purpose of this multi-campus research was to investigate the relationships of food type and personal factors with food choice, consumption, and waste behaviors of college students at all-you-care-to-eat dining …


Embedding sacred ecology in sustainability solutions: The role of post-secondary environmental science programs

  • Central European University

There is increasing attention to the potential contribution of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to addressing an unprecedented crisis in social-ecological systems. Approaches to the bridging of scientific and indigenous knowledges …


Designing a Regenerative Future: Higher Education as a Driver of Change

  • OCAD University (ON)

Many Ontario colleges continue to educate students in the traditional mechanistic fashion of the linear economy. Graduates in search of a career are equipped to perpetuate the take-make-waste economic system …


Affecting Sustainable Changes in the Individual Through Landscape Architecture: A Case Study of the University of Virginia

  • University of Virginia (VA)

In the long trek towards creating a sustainable society, universities play one of the most significant roles. They serve as laboratories for defining what it means to be a sustainable …


Environmental Justice Ethnography in the Classroom: Teaching Activism, Inspiring Involvement

  • Allegheny College (PA)
  • Rhode Island College (RI)
  • San Francisco State University (CA)
  • University of North Carolina, Wilmington (NC)
  • University of South Florida (FL)

In this era of industry deregulation, gutting of environmental protections, and science denial, environmental justice applied anthropology is more important than ever. There is growing ethnographic research into the ways …


Towards an equity competency model for sustainable food systems education programs

  • Teachers College, Columbia University (NY)
  • Middlebury College (VT)
  • University of British Columbia (BC)
  • American Museum of Natural History (NY)
  • Columbia University (NY)
  • Tufts University (MA)
  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

Addressing social inequities has been recognized as foundational to transforming food systems. Activists and scholars have critiqued food movements as lacking an orientation towards addressing issues of social justice. To …


Discourse of ‘helping the poor’: rethinking global poverty and its pedagogical possibilities in higher education

  • Xiamen University

As the global community strives for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly, the first goal of ‘ending poverty in all its forms everywhere’, university students’ learning experiences and understanding about …


Increasing University Competitiveness through Assessment of Green Content in Curriculum and Eco-Labeling in Higher Education

  • University of Novi Sad
  • Educons University

Growing environmental problems and increasing requirements of green jobs force universities around the world not only to transform their curricula but also to enrich existing ones with contents related to …


Teaching the “how” of transformation

  • Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Central Office (NJ)
  • University of Oslo

College and university students are eager to engage with transformative solutions to the climate crisis, but often struggle to see openings or possibilities where they can leverage their actions and …