At Lehigh, we are a community of Future Makers who recognize problems as opportunities. The future is our for the making and we're committed to making a difference together.
As an institution, we are built to think deeply and create grounded, pragmatic solutions to tackle tomorrow's challenges together. In this vein, Lehigh has made a number of commitments to implement changes that impact the campus, local community, and the world.
At a Glance
Lehigh's Strategic Plan
Inspiring the Future Makers: This is our strategy for the next 10 years which outlines three goals that articulate a vision for how we innovate, make change happen and do that work together—because together, we do better work. When we bring diverse people and perspectives together, we also discover new opportunities to innovate.
Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030
In April 2012, Lehigh University adopted its first Campus Sustainability Plan. In May 2016, Lehigh adopted its Campus Sustainability Plan 2020 to advance the integration of environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic responsibility into our intellectual footprint. In early 2020, Lehigh University released a 2019 Progress Report which is a snapshot of the progress that has been made toward Lehigh's sustainability goals, as outlined in the Campus Sustainability Plan 2020. Lehigh’s Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, released in October 2020, is an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental effort that establishes a long-term vision for sustainability with meaningful short and intermediate-term goals. The plan builds on a legacy of integrating financially prudent, just, and verdant practices into our administrative, academic, and operational processes.
Climate Action Strategy
Lehigh’s Climate Action Strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap for achieving the largest and most cost-effective emissions reductions. The strategy establishes a 'Pathway to Zero' emissions to positively impact Lehigh's bottom line and achieve net carbon neutrality by 2040.
Diversity Commitments
A series of commitments including The Principles of Our Equitable Community, a list of nine core principles that serve as the foundation of our university community.
Energy and Water Conservation Policy
A 2014 Energy and Water Conservation Policy document that outlines how Lehigh will reduce energy consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions on its campuses through infrastructural and technical strategies as well as everyday efforts of students, faculty, staff, and university visitors (the “university community”).
LEED Certified Buildings
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System which is a system that sets criteria to rate a building's environmental efficacy. Lehigh has established standards that require all new and existing campus construction be built to USGBC LEED Silver (or equivalent) standards or higher.
Sustainable & Healthful Food Purchasing Policy
A 2021 Sustainable and Healthful Food Purchasing Policy written to establish a common interpretation of what Sustainable Procurement encompasses within Lehigh University and to ensure University personnel consider social and environmental responsibility as factors in their purchasing decisions.
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating SystemTM (STARS) is a self-reporting tracking and rating system for sustainability performance at colleges and universities. Colleges and universities reporting to STARS can earn credits and points to achieve bronze, silver, gold, or platinum rating by demonstrating efforts in sustainability in four major categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. Lehigh submitted its seventh report to STARS in February 2021, and received a gold rating for the first time.