Year in Review
Sustainability at Stanford: Year in Review is Stanford University’s annual snapshot of sustainability milestones achieved, progress on key performance metrics, and high-impact stories from across the institution.
A Year in Review: 2023-2024
Replay Stanford’s sustainability initiatives and milestones from the past year – from the inaugural Living Lab Partnership Summit and first full year of the Living Lab Fellowship Program, to achieving Climate Registry Platinum status and the university’s highest waste diversion yet.
Past Year in Review Reports
2022-23
The first full year of 100% renewable electricity, initiation of Climate Action Plan updates in response to extreme weather events, a new Environmental Justice Working Group Center, an MOU signed between the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and the Office of Sustainability, and a new waste contract to achieve zero waste
2021-22
The launch of the new Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, achievement of 100% renewable electricity, the creation of a Zero Waste Campus Committee, and diversion of 11,000 tons of demolition waste from Mudd Chemistry, Herrin Hall, and Herrin Labs
2020-21
The creation of a resolution to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, start of the Scope 3 Emissions Program, creation of Partnerships for Climate Justice in the Bay, and addition of cooling capacity to Stanford’s Energy System Innovations (SESI)
2019-20
Zero Waste Feasibility Study to reach zero waste, launch of the Cooler research program, energy savings from heating and cooling system shutdowns in 135 unoccupied buildings, and sustainability innovations showcased in two new major research buildings
2018-19
Launch of the sustainably designed satellite campus in Redwood City with a Central Energy Facility, 26% energy intensity reduction campus-wide, and the creation of eight new buildings meeting whole building energy performance targets
2017-18
The Integrated Controls and Analytics Program to maximize energy savings, the first full year of the My Cardinal Green outreach program, reaching a 63% waste diversion rate with Stanford Athletics donating 1.5 tons of food, and the Stanford Surplus Property Sales extensive reuse program
2016-17
Reduction of energy intensity by 25% through initiatives like the Energy Retrofit Program and SESI, 33% decrease in drive-alone rate for commuter sustainability, and 87% diversion rate from construction projects
2015-16
Completion of the Codiga Resource Recovery Center, reduced water usage during ongoing drought conditions, the creation of the open, natural Meyer Green community space, and the transformation of an old building to the sustainably built Science Teaching and Learning Center
2014-15
Launch of Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI), an updated Energy and Climate Plan, and programs such as the Menus of Change Research Collaborative, Cardinal Green Labs, Cardinal Green Events, and Cardinal Clean