SD City Council to Honor USD’s Sustainability Efforts

The University of San Diego will be honored for its efforts  to conserve water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12.

The council will declare April 12 “University of San Diego Sustainability Day.”

Through installation of a smart irrigation system and other efforts, USD has reduced its water consumption by 25 percent or 40 million gallons, placing usage levels to what they were in 1991, when USD’s square footage and student population were half of what they are today.

USD also has partnered with San Diego Gas & Electric to create a more sustainable campus with a smaller environmental footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency and a commitment to renewable energy. USD has partnered with AMSOLAR to install 1.2 megawatts of renewable solar energy, representing 15 percent of the university’s peek energy needs.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition from the San Diego City Council that reflects our commitment to becoming one of the greenest campuses in the country,” said Michael Catanzaro, USD’s director of Sustainability.

USD is engaged in a number of sustainability efforts including plans to open an E-Recycling Center on Wednesday, April 20 during Earth Week.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is among the Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact according to The Princeton Review. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.