Awards & Accreditation

The university’s achievements in sustainability-focused operations and academic research are recognized by regional, national, and international organizations—proof that Stanford is a leader in making sustainability innovation real.

High-Impact Recognition

Stanford University was one of the first universities in the world to achieve a Platinum rating through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s voluntary Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) framework. The university has received the STARS Platinum designation for all of its reporting years (2016, 2019, and 2022).

Stanford ranked in the following categories of AASHE’s 2024 Sustainability Campus Index, which recognizes top-performing colleges and universities:

  • Diversity & Affordability (1st)
  • Energy (3rd)
  • Food & Dining (5th)
  • Curriculum (7th)
  • Water (tied for 9th place)
  • Doctoral institutions [overall] (10th)

View Sustainability Awards by System

Illustration of person gardening
Climate
Waste
Illustration of people shaking hands infront of building
Land & Building
Illustration of female on bike
Transportation
Food
Water

Recent Headlines

Ranked in the top 10
overall institutions

Listed in the top 10
sustainable universities

Added to the Green Honor Roll

Named one of the 7 Greenest
Campuses in the U.S. 

Emissions Inventories earned
Hero-level recognition for over 4 years

CSR winner for Green and
Environmental Stewardship

Best Practice Awards: Green Cleaning,
Stanford Redwood City, & My Cardinal Green

Outstanding Waste Prevention Award
for Cardinal Clean

2nd in Per Capita Recycling and Food Organics
for large universities