Sustainability

In 2019, Vanderbilt University sent its first Commute Survey to staff, faculty, postdocs and graduate and professional students to better understand their commuting habits and patterns. Over five years, the survey has revealed a significant shift to sustainable choices like telecommuting and walking. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey was not administered in 2020 and 2021. Vanderbilt has released its findings of the 2024 survey on commute and transportation practices.  Read More

A new course through the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate seeks to engage students in discussions about taking a planetary health approach to address climate change and resource sustainability challenges. Read More

What does a better-connected Nashville look like? For Vanderbilt University, it means a campus that is seamlessly linked to the city through frequent, reliable public transit, safer sidewalks and smarter traffic signals—all of which are on the horizon with the approval of the “Choose How You Move” transportation referendum. On Nov. 5, voters in Davidson County approved the $3.1 billion transit plan; 66 percent of ballots cast were in favor of the city’s transportation system overhaul. Approval of the referendum triggers a half-cent increase in sales tax that will take effect Feb. 1.  Read More

Did you know that Vanderbilt's West End Neighborhood was re-imagined into a more inclusive, sustainable community? Here are five things that you might not know about the West End Neighborhood.   Read More

The more than 600 staff members who make up the Vanderbilt University Facilities Department play a vital role in keeping the university ticking, and now the department is expanding and restructuring to better serve the Vanderbilt community.  Read More

The sustainability challenge encourages students to sign up for ReusePass and actively use reusable containers at dining locations. Points will be awarded based on how many signups and full cycle container returns each house completes throughout the academic year. This initiative not only supports a greener campus but also helps students build lasting sustainable habits. Read More

Vanderbilt University Campus Dining has been honored with the 2024 Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Sustainable Performance for its leadership in innovation to significantly cut the university’s overall environmental impact.  Read More

Campus Dining takes pride in its commitment to providing value through the highest quality, best-tasting, most nutritious and diverse menus possible. Here’s everything you need to know about how to “fuel” your pursuit of knowledge on campus. Read More

Dan Russell, sustainability coordinator intern in Auxiliary Services, teaches the Vanderbilt community about how people’s individual choices in using Earth's resources can affect our urban patch of Nashville and the planet on which we live. Read More

Celebrate Earth Month with Vanderbilt Campus Dining as we rally behind Vanderbilt University’s sustainability initiatives throughout April. Read More

Today is the first day of Earth Month! Vanderbilt Campus Dining is constantly working to expand its sustainability programs. Here are five things you should know about sustainability at Campus Dining. Read More

Vanderbilt University will harness its global expertise in scientific discovery, technological innovation, public policy, law and education to launch the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate (VSEC). The multimillion-dollar investment follows a recommendation by an interdisciplinary working group to address the crucial societal challenge of ensuring a sustainable world. Read More

It’s almost Earth Month! Did you know that Vanderbilt is carbon neutral? Throughout April, we’ll be highlighting sustainability-related programs and areas throughout the university, which all contribute to continually lower Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint—and here are five that you might not know about.   Read More

Excerpt: Vanderbilt University will celebrate Earth Month during April with events aimed at education and engagement around Vanderbilt sustainability programs and initiatives.  Read More

Things to Know:  Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 when more than 2.2 million people turned off their lights for one hour.   In 2023, Earth Hour saw over 410,000 hours pledged to the Hour Bank. … Read More

The annual report provides an overview of progress around the core themes of connectivity and community enhancement, diversity and inclusion, accessibility, environmental sustainability and the preservation of the university’s historic, park-like setting.  Read More

Vanderbilt professor Kelly Haws’ GREEN scale evaluates the relationship between consumer commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly product evaluations. Read More

Bicycle safety has deteriorated according to the National Highway Safety Administration. Vanderbilt civil engineers identify and propose safety improvements applicable to all transportation in urban areas. Est. reading time: 2.5 mins. Read More

Faculty, representatives from the Office of Research and Innovation and the Office of Government and Community Relations share mobility, smart city, community resiliency, and transit technologies and solutions being developed, built and deployed by Vanderbilt and throughout the region and build connections for future collaborations. Read More

C.J. Sentell, PhD’15, a philosopher and food-focused social entrepreneur, was appointed CEO of the Nashville Food Project in July to continue to grow the organization which was founded on this simple but powerful mission: to feed neighbors in need. Read More