Lehigh has received a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for the second consecutive year. This is the most widely recognized framework in the world for the reporting of information related to a university’s sustainability performance. This 2017 silver rating was based on data from the 2015-2016 academic year. More than 400 institutions have earned a STARS rating, which is based on achievements in five categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning & Administration and Innovation & Leadership. STARS allows colleges and universities to have their sustainability efforts rated and compared on a worldwide scale to other institutions.
In 2017, Lehigh was one of three colleges out of 34 in Pennsylvania to receive a silver rating. Lehigh has been working to fully integrate sustainability into university operations and life. Over half of all academic departments offer courses in sustainability. Additionally, Lehigh is proud to say it has reduced its total building energy consumption by 5.58 percent since 2007 and diverted 49.21 percent of the school’s waste from landfills.
Keep track of Lehigh’s specific Campus Sustainability Plan 2020 goals here and see how YOU can get involved in making Lehigh a greener, cleaner place to live, study and work.