New York University has received a STARS Gold Rating in recognition of their sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System), is a new program that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education throughout the U.S. and Canada.
"Seldom have I seen an initiative unite and motivate our campus more than our green efforts. From declines in electrical consumption to increases in recycling, from our new co-gen plant’s reductions in greenhouse emissions to expansion of bicycle riding, the commitment to meeting the challenges of climate change is not only an institutional priority at NYU, but a widespread and very personal one as well," said NYU President John Sexton.
NYU has been doing internal institution-wide environmental assessments since 2005. It participated in the STARS Pilot Program.
Its green initiatives include:
- Achieved over a 40% reduction in carbon emissions, ahead of the 2017 target, as part of the NYC Mayoral Challenge;
- Produced a comprehensive Climate Action Plan, with the goal of being climate neutral by 2040;
- Renovated its cogeneration power plant. It now produces twice the energy with 23% less GHG emissions, while avoiding combustion of 500,000 gallons of fuel oil and 280,000 therms of natural gas per year;
- Created NYUnplugged, an annual student energy-saving challenge which, last fall helped save tens of thousands of kilowatt-hours of electricity;
- Instituted a campus-wide Mixed Recycling program and enhanced its e-waste technoscrap program;
- Striving for local, organic, and Fair Trade certifications for food served in dining halls and catered events, with nearly 1/3 of all food purchases sourced within 250 miles;
- Implementing the NYU Bike Share Program–the first free bicycle-sharing program in New York City;
- Upgrading NYU’s Bus Fleet by phasing out diesel-powered buses and replacing them with hybrid electric buses.
Under the STARS program, universities report on three areas: education & research; operations; and planning, administration & engagement.
STARS program:
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