Sustainability

Sustainability is a way of life at University of San Diego (USD). Student-led initiatives provide sustainable solutions to current issues. Faculty incorporate sustainability in curriculum. Collaborative research projects and grants between faculty and students pay immediate dividends for the USD community and beyond, including a $5 million grant by the National Science Foundation to educate community leaders about the impacts of climate change.

In 2016, USD adopted a Climate Action Plan with aggressive targets aimed at reducing the university's environmental impact. USD has already reduced its energy consumption by more than 20% since 2010 and water consumption by 38% since 2006. Additionally, 5,000+ photovoltaic panels generate 7% of the university’s energy needs, making the system one of the largest solar energy producers among private colleges nationwide.

The first of its kind on a college campus, the University of San Diego Electronics Recycling Center was a living example of USD’s commitment to social entrepreneurship. The Center diverted 4+ million pounds of electronic waste from landfills and served 25,000+ customers during its 7 year operation. The university's fair trade and bike-friendly designations also help to bolster its sustainable campus reputation.

From messaging on campus, to policies affecting how we do business, to facilitating engagement from our staff, students, faculty and administrators, to creating and supporting curricular efforts at all levels, we must take immediate action in concrete ways at all levels of the university to create a truly shared and lived vision of Care for Our Common Home.

Recent Spotlights

Join the EcoChallenge to Help Reduce Food Waste

September 6, 2019

Did you know that 40% of food in the United States is thrown away?! That’s like leaving the grocery store with 5 bags and throwing 2 into the tr…

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