Stanford is the Top-Scoring Institution for Sustainability Under AASHE STARS 3.0
The university earns STARS Platinum in version 3.0, the highest score under the sustainability rating system.
As Stanford continues its journey to become a more sustainable campus, highlighted below are sustainability milestones from fall 2023 – December 2024. Explore the impact through data and a few favorite stories that uniquely advanced operational sustainability for our campus as well as provided a blueprint for other institutions to scale and replicate sustainability innovations.
Milestones by the Numbers
80% direct reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions
69% waste diversion
2 years of 100% renewable electricity
48% reduction in potable water use since 2001
62% sustainable commutes
Expanding access to zero waste actions
Sorting is easier than ever with 9,000+ new bins installed and 30,000+ signs added across campus.
Enabling climate action through campus-wide electrical systems improvements
The Electrical Reliability Improvements project will increase capacity needed to reach Stanford’s net-zero carbon reduction goal.
Unlocking the carbon potential of Stanford’s open lands
A new carbon accounting project aims to uncover the hidden potential of above and below ground carbon stores.
Transforming rain into 100 million gallons of opportunity
Stanford’s stormwater capture system increases resilience, using open spaces as part of a regional water management network.
Completing a year of student-led sustainability projects
Across Stanford’s many operational systems, 16 initiatives advanced the use of campus as a living lab to scale sustainability solutions.
Managing wildfire risk with new “BurnBot” tech
Operational and academic sides of campus collaborated to deploy wildfire burn tech, driving scalable environmental research.
Driving sustainable supply chain change
A new department at Stanford advances sustainable procurement practices and strengthens supplier partnerships.
Uniting campus to take climate action
Stanford’s new climate governance framework drives long-term, collaborative leadership for ambitious climate action.
Achieving climate impact through food systems
Stanford leads a coalition of colleges shifting to more ambitious targets in food systems after impactful emissions reduction achievements.
Recommended for You
Beyond the Plate: Tackling Food Waste and Redefining Mealtime on the Road
Stanford’s Travel/Study programs are leading a quiet revolution in climate-conscious cuisine.
Less Plastic, More Impact: How Our Alumni Travel Program Is Reducing Single-Use Waste
Stanford Travel/Study, an educational travel program for alumni and friends of the university, is tackling plastic waste trip by trip.