Sustainability

Sustainability

  • Lehigh Named Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Awardee
    The university was just one of five postsecondary institutions to be honored by the U.S. Department of Education.
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  • Lehigh Achieves Gold Rating in 2021 STARS Report
    For the first time in LU history, a gold rating has been achieved.
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  • Lehigh Awarded 2020 Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant
    The DEP has awarded Lehigh $24,412 to purchase three EVs and one electric all-terrain vehicle as part of transitioning the university police department to EVs.
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  • Lehigh Launches Campus Sustainable Impact Fellowship
    The multi-year, interdisciplinary projects focus on advancing Lehigh’s Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 goals which align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
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  • Striving for Sustainability
    Lehigh has a bold 10-year plan for sustainability on campus. As the university addresses its environmental impact, we take the opportunity to highlight 6 alumni who are doing their part for a more sustainable planet.
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  • Lehigh to Create Climate Action Strategy
    The strategy will provide a roadmap for lessening the university’s impact on the environment.
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  • Lehigh Releases Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030
    The newly-released plan will build on a legacy of integrating financially prudent, just, and verdant practices into the values of Lehigh.
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  • Lehigh Pledges to Increase Electric Vehicle Purchases
    Lehigh joins Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative, an initial group of 11 universities and colleges who pledge to increase total electric vehicle commitments by 225 fleets, to almost 3,800 electric vehicles.
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  • Lehigh Achieves Real Food Challenge Goal
    Lehigh has achieved its Real Food Challenge goal by purchasing 20.3 percent of its food from local, organic, fair trade and humane sources in the 2019-2020 academic year.
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Focus Areas

Climate Action

Seeking innovative solutions to address climate change and resiliently adapting to its effects

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Educational Experience

Developing and empowering tomorrow’s leaders by integrating sustainability into the university’s educational experience

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Campus Operations

Seeking and embracing innovative ways to enhance operational efficiency, save money, and increase the overall well-being of the university and the community

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Culture and Engagement

Fostering a “One Lehigh” culture of sustainability that incorporates diverse perspectives and cultivates environmental stewardship through sustainable practices across all levels

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Health and Wellness

Promoting improved health and wellness throughout our community with healthy food options, employee wellness programming, and purposeful landscape and building designs

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Focused Leadership

Leading the way in becoming a model sustainable campus by seeking and embracing new solutions that support long-term sustainable change

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By the Numbers

35
Student sustainability leaders work with the Office of Sustainability
62.5%
Of research-producing departments are engaged in sustainability research
~$25,000
Awarded for piloting innovative campus sustainability solutions via the Sustainable Initiative Grant, formerly known as GreenFund, since 2010
1.8 million
Plastic bottles diverted since 2014
25%
Reduction in total waste generated on campus between 2010-2011 and 2018-2019
Annually
Frequency with which Lehigh conducts greenhouse gas inventories