Sustainability Fast Facts
Looking for a quick run-down on some of Cornell's sustainability facts and highlights? The Sustainability Fast Facts provide an overview of our University's achievements and key commitments.
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This information is updated bi-annually. For more comprehensive facts and figures, browse this website or contact our team.
Snapshot Facts
Last Updated June 2021
Leadership
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Cornell is the Top Ivy institution for sustainability according to the Princeton Review Green Honor Roll, STARS, and the Carbon Commitment
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Platinum Rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)-the highest possible- for comprehensive sustainability efforts
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Committed to pursuing carbon neutrality & 100% renewable energy for the Ithaca campus by 2035
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Advancing Earth Source Heat as a breakthrough direct-use geothermal technology for carbon neutral campus heat
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Award-winning Climate Action Plan has driven a 36% reduction of campus carbon emissions since 2008, and 50% since 1990
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Overall most successful carbon reduction among Ivy league schools, and has the most ambitious neutrality goal.
Public Engagement
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Winner of the 2018 US EPA Leadership in Green Power Education Award for efforts to advance access, education, and public engagement in renewable energy resources, especially in low-income communities across New York State
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The Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions’ online course has reached 2,500+ citizens from 65 countries since 2017
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Helped launch the New York Higher Ed Large Scale Renewable Energy project in 2018, the largest ever consortium of campus purchasing partners to solicit new renewable energy projects in New York State
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The Cascadilla Community Solar Farm* will provide 3,000+ local residents with energy from solar panels on Cornell-owned land
Campus Engagement
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Residential composting launched in all campus housing in ’18-19, diverting 39 gallons of food waste per week
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Planning for a campus-wide strategic sustainability plan aligned with UN Sustainable Development goals is underway
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75 Green Offices and 15 Green Labs have been certified across campus
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Winter Energy Setback avoids an average of ~$100,000 in electricity costs each year
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The Campus Sustainability Maps feature 300+ points of interest including the 21 green buildings, bike parking, composting locations & gender neutral bathrooms.
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New student orientation events include sustainability and climate literacy
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Entry & exit student survey measures sustainability literacy and engagement; 85% of student believe climate change is pressing issue, 70% stated they value attending a University with sustainability as core value
Campus Operations
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0% growth in energy use since 2000
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Over a third of the way to carbon neutrality with emissions down 36% since 2008.
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40,000+ solar panels power the campus providing 10% of campus electricity.
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Renewable energy offsets 20% of campus electricity
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35% of the food budget goes to local or sustainable food
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Total campus waste is down 1/3 in the last five years; reuse & reclamation doubled in the last year
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Water use has dropped 25% since 2005, with 116.5 million gallons conserved in the last year alone
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Discounts for using your own mug at all dining locations
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Composting is now available in every residential community on campus
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Free bus pass for every new student at Cornell
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40+ student sustainability organizations
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Peterson Parking Lot redesigned in 2018 filters stormwater pollutants and features native plantings
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A comprehensive LED lighting upgrade completed in 2019 will save the campus $5.6 million in the next 5 years
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Cornell Dining saved over 700lbs of plastic in food-plastic reduction pilot this year focused on grab-and-go food
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Grounds Department worked with students to design and build a solar truck to power a fleet of battery-operated equipment with renewable energy
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Facilities & Campus Services has designed a mobile clean water station for use at Slope Day and other major campus events to help reach a goal of eliminating bottled water
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Composting rates have doubled in the last two years.
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Water use has dropped 25% since 2005, with 116.5 million gallons conserved in the last year alone
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Sustainable Landscape Trail launched in 2018 featuring focal points of research and practice on campus.
Academic Leadership
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33% of all faculty are involved in sustainability research, a 3% increase in the last two years
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18% of all courses include sustainability topics, up 8% in the last two years, spread across 79 departments
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544 faculty fellows are involved with sustainability research initiatives through the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
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Sustainability governance groups & Cornell Assemblies have all endorsed climate literacy goals for students & staff
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1500+ students have taken Leadership for Sustainability and Green Revolving Fund sustainability courses focused on peer education and campus operations