2020 was a year unlike any other. We joined our colleagues and peers across NYU, the country, and the world in adapting and adjusting to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to progress in our sustainability work. In many ways, 2020 was an exceptional year for sustainability at NYU: we were recognized and ranked internationally for the collective efforts of students, faculty, administrators, and staff across the University; we launched new initiatives related to environmental and racial justice; and we joined a climate commitment aimed at food-related greenhouse gas emissions – our first non-building related pledge.
Here are highlights from 2020:
We Got Gold!
This year, NYU received a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), ranking in the top 30% of certified institutions.
“Every area of campus made this achievement possible, from our administrators who track data on energy use and purchasing, to our researchers who explore solutions; from our faculty who educate on sustainability topics to our students who pursue innovative ideas and build a sustainable future.” – Cecil Scheib, Chief Sustainability Officer
NYU was also ranked #43 on the Princeton Review’s 2021 Top 50 Green Colleges list. The Top 50 Green Colleges ranks schools that have strong sustainability practices, academic opportunities, and a healthy quality of life for students.
| Say Good-bye to Pre-packaged Water
In January, NYU’s Water Bottle Purchasing Policy went into effect, meaning NYU will no longer spend University funds on single-use, pre-packaged water. This initiative, which was proposed by the 2018-2019 Sustainability Working Group, will remove over 330,000 plastic bottles from our waste stream, annually! Community members throughout NYU have embraced this policy by sporting their own reusable water bottles.
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A More Sustainable IT
Did you know NYU’s energy efficiency measures save $15 million a year? This year, NYU IT’s Sustainability Initiative has accelerated efforts to reduce tech equipment, purchase energy efficient hardware, and ease behavioral changes related to energy consumption. NYU IT has also launched its new supercomputer, “Greene,” which is among the top 10 Most Powerful Supercomputers in Higher Education, and a sustainable, leading edge, cost and energy-efficient shared data facility.
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Global Call to Act on Climate
NYU joined 40 of the world’s leading climate research universities in launching the International Universities Climate Alliance; a group committed to identifying the best methods to bring evidence-based research related to climate change to the public. The Climate Alliance released its first Declaration in advance of the G20 Summit, calling on a vigorous and sciencific approach to building a climate resilient future.
Earth Month 2020 Goes Virtual
In April, NYU commemorated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with a month-long virtual celebration! Departments, student groups, and environmental organizations moved their events online and introduced new challenges to encourage participants and attendees to work towards a more sustainable future. The Office of Sustainability shared our own list of 10 Actions for marking the occasion while staying home, safe, and healthy.
Online Trainings and Discussions
This year, dozens of administrators and staff participated in NYUiLearn sessions on how to green your office, considering tips and suggestions for a sustainable return to the office, and ways to improve your work-from-home set-up. The Green Zone (beta) training, which explores the social justice dimensions of sustainability, helped guide participants in creating action plans for contributing to a more sustainable and just world. Interested in getting training? Look for upcoming sessions this spring semester.
Hollywood Climate Summit
In May, NYU Los Angeles hosted the Hollywood Digital Climate Summit, a day-long virtual event for young entertainment professionals and students. The summit explored Hollywood’s role in building a sustainable, green future and featured panelists and guests from the entertainment industry. Attendees engaged in sessions about using art and media to inspire positive change and shift the cultural conversation about climate change.
Addressing the Connection between Racial and Environmental Justice
In June, the Offices of Sustainability and Global Inclusion launched an Environmental Justice Incubator, which brought together faculty from schools across NYU to discuss the intersection of social, environmental, and racial justice. The three-part discussion inspired ideas and actions for how NYU can further initiatives and research to address the disproportionate impact of environmental detriment on vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Green Dream Welcome
In August, new NYU students were welcomed through virtual events, including Eco Eats, a cookalong and Zoom meet-and-greet for students interested in getting involved in sustainability at NYU. Additionally, students went on a virtual or self-guided Green Campus Tour through Instagram.
Biking into the Fall
In September, with the support of NYU Offices of Public Safety, Facilities Management, and Strategic Assessment, Planning & Design, NYU added 232 bike parking spots around Washington Square and in downtown Brooklyn, more than doubling capacity. Additionally we provided free bikes and helmets to NYU community members, primarily students, to help welcome new cyclists into the community.
A Delicious Climate Commitment
In honor of World Food Day 2020, NYU announced its commitment to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions on all its campuses 25% by 2030. Through a comprehensive, 10-year plan, NYU joined 30 other organizations around the world in taking the Cool Food Pledge. In partnership with its dining services partner, Chartwells, NYU dining halls and catering operations will gradually promote a shift to more sustainable food products through a combination of enhanced plant-based offerings and educational outreach.
“What we eat matters. Global food systems account for about a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s well documented that animal-based products on the whole can have a greater impact than legumes, vegetables, and fruit. When fully operational, NYU’s dining halls serve over 6 million meals each year, which means that addressing the environmental footprint of food is a powerful addition to NYU’s – and New York’s – efforts to curb climate change.” – Andrew Hamilton, President of New York University
Green Grants Round-up
While the pandemic put a pause on many aspects of the Green Grants program, eight projects exploring a range of topics were awarded funding. This year, our grantees designed and facilitated an environmental and climate justice curriculum for New York City high school students, addressed existing challenges related to agriculture and food access through impact-led design, built an urban resiliency hub for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, developed a “material research library” for integrating sustainable power solutions into wearable art, and created a platform for democratized environmental education. Additionally, we awarded an interactive hub to host Spanish-language environmental education resources, a program designed to increase education around urban coastal systems, and a project to develop operas that illustrate the impacts of climate change.
We thank the many members of our community that help make a greener NYU. While this year was unusual, the pandemic brought to light the power of collective action and challenged many of us to respond urgently to protect our communities. We look forward to continuing that collaborative and swift action towards building a more resilient and sustainable NYU. So join us! And be a part of our 2021 Year in Review.