Sustainability at Duke
Duke University seeks to attain and maintain a place of leadership in all that we do. This includes leadership in environmental stewardship and sustainability on campus, in our medical institutions, and in the larger community of which we are a part.We are committed to examining the actual and potential environmental impacts associated with our activities and services in order to continually improve environmental performance.
Duke's Environmental Policy commits the university to leadership in three areas:
- environmental research and education
- environmentally responsible operations
- environmental stewardship in the community
Some of Duke University's main activities are:
-Climate Action:
- As part of Duke’s continued leadership in environmental stewardship and sustainability, the university has pledged to eliminate or offset all campus greenhouse gas emissions over time, and in the process, lead the transition to a sustainable economy. Additionally, Duke is developing a Sustainability Strategic Plan to focus on a broader spectrum of areas within campus sustainability. The Sustainability Strategic Plan addresses additional sustainability topics including water conservation, recycling, and land management.
-Carbon Offset Initiative:
- To meet its goal of climate neutrality by 2024, Duke University will need to offset approximately 185,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent-emissions per year, starting in 2024, an amount which Duke expects to diminish over time as the University's electricity supplier moves off of coal to renewable sources of energy.
-Academics and Student Groups:
- Duke University seeks to make sustainability a part of the educational experience for every student through courses in diverse fields addressing the core concepts of sustainability, research opportunities, and interactions with the campus as a sustainable living laboratory.