2008 has been a banner year for sustainability at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill! Since the formation of the Sustainability Coalition in 1999, Carolina has invested tremendous resources towards teaching, researching, and building for a sustainable future. By institutionalizing sustainable values, funding sustainable development, and engaging campus community members in sustainability education, the University has worked to ensure that sustainability will remain a core value for generations to come
For its accomplishments in advancing sustainability, UNC has been recognized this year as a national leader in campus sustainability by four independent publications. These include:
- The Sustainable Endowments Institute's College Sustainability Report Card 2008, which listed UNC as one of the top 25 campus sustainability leaders in the nation. Carolina scored highly in Administration, Climate Change & Energy, Food & Recycling, Green Building, and Transportation.
- Princeton Review’s 2008 edition of The Best 368 Colleges, which awarded UNC a Green Rating of 96 of 99 possible points. This is the highest score of any rated university in the state, and in the top tier nationally. UNC was also given the designation “College with a Conscience,” which was given to 81 schools that practice outstanding community involvement.
- The Kaplan College Guide 2009, which reviewed UNC as one of 25 environmentally responsible colleges by evaluating campus projects and initiatives, course offerings, organizations and student groups on campus, and more.
- The National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Environment 2008: A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education, which awarded UNC the most exemplary marks for sustainability activities in the state and amongst the top eight in the nation. Exemplary activities included transportation programs, recycling & solid waste management, and planning for green landscaping & grounds.
For more information on the Sustainable Endowments Institute's College Sustainability Report Card 2008, visit http://www.endowmentinstitute.org
For more information on Princeton Review’s Green Ratings, visit http://uncsustainability.blogspot.com/2008/08/unc-receives-high-marks-in-green-rating.html
For more information on Kaplan's list of 25 environmentally responsible colleges, visit http://sev.prnewswire.com/education/20080805/NYTU06805082008-1.html
For more information on the National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Environment 2008 report, visit http://www.nwf.org/campusEcology/campusreportcard.cfm
