ICYMI: Bethlehem Farmers' Market Returns
We are thrilled to share that after being closed last year due to the pandemic, the Bethlehem Farmers’ Market reopened on Thursday, April 29! Mark your calendars and stop by the market for fresh, local, and healthy food on Thursdays between 10am - 2pm from April 29 - November 18.
Lehigh Named Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Awardee
Awarded on Earth Day, the university was just one of five postsecondary institutions to be honored by the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more about this accomplishment.
Striking Gold: Lehigh Achieves Gold Rating in 2021 Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Report
After five years of receiving a silver rating, sustainability initiatives at Lehigh have reached a new height. Lehigh submitted its seventh report to The Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS) in February 2021, and received a gold rating for the first time with a score of 65.79. This is an increase in score from 61.25 in 2020. STARS is a tracking and rating system specifically designed for higher education to track their sustainability performance. Universities earn points to achieve bronze, silver, gold, or platinum rating by demonstrating efforts in sustainability. To date, approximately only 25% of participating schools have achieved a gold rating which symbolizes a high level of institutional sustainability. Now we have our eyes on platinum! Learn more about this accomplishment here.
Lehigh Celebrates Earth Month 2021
April 22, 2021 marked the 51st anniversary of Earth Day! Numerous virtual events and campaigns were hosted by the Office of Sustainability and other campus partners throughout April to celebrate Earth Month. Learn more about the Earth Month events at Lehigh.
Campus Sustainable Impact Fellowship Student Project Highlight
The Campus Sustainable Impact Fellowship (CSIF) is a new fellowship program at Lehigh University composed of a highly self-selected cohort of students from all disciplines across the university. The current fellowship program is a one-year commitment that started in Spring 2021 and runs through the end of Fall 2021. This is a program dedicated to giving students hands-on, experiential learning opportunities through campus sustainability projects. Learn more about the launch of the CSIF.
Climate Action Strategy Update
A key component of Lehigh's Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 is the development of a Climate Action Strategy where Lehigh can demonstrate true climate leadership. This strategy will establish a comprehensive roadmap for measuring, planning, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also establish a net carbon neutrality date. We are now 8 months into the development of Lehigh’s Climate Action Strategy. Learn more about the latest progress.
Sustainable and Healthful Food Policy
Lehigh University has committed to social, environmental, and economic sustainability by advancing solutions that support sustainable change through the development and implementation of a 10-year Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030. Within the 2030 Plan, one of the 113 goals is to develop and implement a Sustainable and Healthful Food Purchasing Policy that sets new standards for measuring the ecological, social, and health impacts of on-campus food preparation and consumption. Learn more about the Draft Sustainable and Healthful Food Purchasing Policy.