About Campus Sustainability at Cornell University
Our path to sustainability and carbon neutrality requires the work of hundreds of individuals on campus every day. Learn more about the teams who help support and engage in this work.
Campus Sustainability Office
Visit us at 129 Humphreys Service Building
sustainability@cornell.edu | 607.255.6375
Campus Sustainability Office
The work of creating a climate secure and sustainable future requires many perspectives, people, and partnerships. Our mission to equip, empower, and engage our diverse campus partners in creating a more sustainable Cornell enables a small team of staff to support thousands of projects each year.
Our scope of work includes coordination of projects large and small, overseeing the Climate Action Plan, Campus Sustainability Plan, and Cornell's sustainability governance committees, and implementation of the Cornell living laboratory for sustainability.
Cornell's Sustainability Framework
By implementing a "quadruple bottom line" in our decision-making and view of the world, we can demonstrate that a new way of valuing people and the planet is possible, and can strengthen our education, research, and community.
Guiding Principles
Taking on climate and systems change requires new ways of thinking. Three main frameworks guide our work.
The Sustainability Framework is a decision-making framework for transitioning our business systems to a quadruple bottom line. Think Big, Live Green is our engagement campaign to live, lead, and learn sustainability in every facet of our lives. Our 8 Focus Areas ensure progress across the interconnected areas of sustainability.
Sustainability Framework | Think Big Live Green | Our Focus Areas
Sustainability Leadership
Major commitments and change have been championed by students, senior leadership, staff and faculty.
Committees & Leadership
Two groups work to ensure campus-wide collaboration on sustainability and carbon-neutral action items. The President's Sustainable Campus Committee (PSCC) is the main governance body overseeing campus sustainability in buildings & energy, food, land & water, materials management, living laboratory, human wellbeing, transportation, and climate mitigation, adaptation, and literacy. The Senior Leaders Climate Action Group (SLCAG) is comprised of senior administration and key faculty, staff, and students to oversee 9 major priorities in the Climate Action Plan.
Cornell's Assembly Governance also works to advance sustainability, as do our Green Teams.
