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About

What is Sustainable Stanford?

About

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Sustainable Stanford is a university-wide effort to reduce our environmental impact, preserve resources, and lead sustainability by example across its three pillars - environment, economy, and equity. Dedication to a culture of innovation and outreach has been central to Stanford’s mission since its founding in 1891, when Jane and Leland Stanford exhorted university leaders to “promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization.” That sense of purpose drives our commitment to incorporate sustainability practices and ethos into every aspect of campus life. In pursuing its academic mission, Stanford University is committed to being a leader in research, teaching and action (institutional practice) of sustainability, upholding the values of Stanford's IDEAL Engage program.

Y2E2, built in 2008, exemplifies the possibility of reduced energy and water use. It is also one of the primary sites of ongoing research in energy and environmental sciences on campus.

The Department of Sustainability, Utilities & Infrastructure (SUI)

The Office of Sustainability (OOS)

Stanford is deeply engaged in cutting-edge research and innovative teaching on the environment and sustainability. Stanford’s seven schools, as well as centers, institutes and programs across campus offer an array of courses, degree programs, and engagement opportunities focused on sustainability, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary research and teaching that recognizes that solutions to complex challenges demand collaboration across multiple fields. 

Principles

What are Stanford's goals for becoming a sustainable leader?

Governance

Learn more about our leaders in working towards Stanford's sustainability goals.

Checklist: work icon

Areas of Work

Find out more about the seven categories guiding the work of the OOS and SUI.