Sustainability Plan for Cornell Campus & Community
The Sustainability Plan is a guiding document to support every department and unit, as well as individual members of the Cornell community, in advancing climate leadership, sustainability efforts in food, water, transportation and more, and collaborating through partnerships with community and global partners to accelerate impact.
The plan is updated every five years and is currently being reviewed and updated. Check back here for more information and a draft plan in Spring 2019.
Current Plan (2013-2018)
The 2013 Sustainability Plan for the Ithaca campus outlines project strategies, governance, and current efforts, including goals and targets for existing sustainability governance groups, grassroots initiatives, and opportunities ahead. This plan expires in 2018.
Draft Updated Plan (2019-2024)
In Fall 2017, the President's Sustainable Campus Committee and a Sustainability Plan Steering Committee began the process of updating the Sustainability Plan. A draft with community feedback was completed in Summer 2018, and is under review by senior leadership as of late 2018. A draft will be made available pending this review.
Topics in the current draft plan include:
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Climate Leadership: Carbon neutrality, climate resiliency, climate literacy
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Sustainable Campus: Buildings & energy, food, land & water, purchasing & waste, transportation, and building a just and equitable community
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Community Engagement: Literacy & education, creating a culture of sustainability, leadership
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Living Laboratory: Demonstration, research, and engaged learning
The draft plan is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a set of targets for all nations which address the global challenges we face together, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. Learn more about the UN SDGs and how higher education is playing a role in advancing work and solutions to meet them.
Previous Campus Sustainability Plans
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(Retired) Advancing Sustainability Action Plan-ASAP FY 2009 (pdf)
Sustainability Annual Reports
Learn more about how Cornell is leading the way in sustainability:
