Sustainability

Vanderbilt University will host PARK(ing) Day, an annual global event competition in which urban areas, such as parking lots, are transformed into green spaces to promote sustainable design, on Friday, Sept. 17. Read More

General Motors' announcement that it would phase out combustion engines—the heart of its cars and trucks for more than 100 years—and move to an all-electric fleet by 2035 could have monumental implications for the global auto industry and broad efforts to combat climate change. The success of the initiative will depend on Vanderbilt alumni who hold key positions in the company. Read More

George Hornberger, an established leader in the fields of water resources and sustainability and director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and the Environment, retired June 30. In preparation of his retirement, the Office of the Provost launched the Climate, Environment and Energy Futures Working Group to evaluate and plan for the future of energy, environment and climate research and advocacy at the university. Read More

Vanderbilt University’s Green Invest Program partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Nashville Electric Service has been recognized with a 2021 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced July 8. Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, Vice Chancellor for Administration Eric Kopstain and distinguished environmental economist Michael Greenstone discuss the series of innovative solutions putting Vanderbilt on track to become the first member of the Association of American Universities to achieve carbon neutrality this spring—decades ahead of the university's initial sustainability goal. Read More

Members of the campus community are invited to attend a virtual event to learn more about the future of climate change and how Vanderbilt will play a unique role in identifying and modeling solutions. The event on Tuesday, June 15, begins at 12:15 p.m. CT.   Read More

Vanderbilt University today announced a new collaboration with the nonprofit organization Climate Vault that allows the university to address the full extent of its carbon footprint now, achieving carbon neutrality decades ahead of its initial goal. The new initiative will effectively remove carbon pollution permits from regulated carbon markets while simultaneously stimulating research into emerging carbon removal technologies.    Read More

The Vanderbilt School of Nursing will host “Green Recovery, Climate Solutions and a Just Transition,” a public webinar and discussion, on Thursday, April 8, from 1 to 2 p.m. CT. The free webinar, part of the  Solve Climate by 2030 project, will feature youth involved in climate issues and leaders in conservation and sustainability, including Vice Chancellor for Administration Eric Kopstain, who heads Vanderbilt’s FutureVU initiative. Read More

As part of Vanderbilt Campus Dining’s continued efforts to become a more environmentally sustainable operation, the nationally recognized food service provider has announced a strategic partnership with Middle Tennessee-based Hydrohouse Farms. Founded by Vanderbilt alumnus Hassan Sharaff in 2016, Hydrohouse Farms’ mission is to provide quality, healthy locally grown vegetables to the Nashville area. Read More

Vanderbilt Divinity School has received a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its renovation and addition project that was completed in 2020. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, offers a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. Read More

Owen Forward will present a half-day virtual conference on Monday, March 15, featuring Vanderbilt administrators, faculty and alumni in dialogue about sustainability leadership. “The Future of Sustainability” will begin at 12:15 p.m. CT and is open to the Vanderbilt community. Read More

Transformations of the West End and Peabody neighborhoods, pioneering solar energy partnerships, improved recycling and more sustainable transportation choices are among the achievements outlined in the latest FutureVU progress report. Read More

Vanderbilt University has been honored with a 2020 Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council for the institution’s achievements in green building and its commitment to creating a healthy, sustainable future. Read More

Vanderbilt University and the city of Nashville, Tennessee, have announced a Green Invest partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Nashville Electric Service—a collaboration that will allow the region to take a bold step forward in expanding availability and access to renewable energy at a critical time in global efforts to address the threat of climate change. Read More

Vanderbilt has announced that PepsiCo will serve as its official beverage provider for Campus Dining operations and vending locations. The new partnership addresses the university’s sustainability goals and changing student needs. Read More

Vice Chancellor for Administration Eric Kopstain and Vanderbilt Law School lecturer Linda Breggin, a senior attorney with the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C., and project director for the Nashville Food Waste Initiative, have been named co-chairs of the Nashville Sustainability Advisory Committee.  Read More

Vanderbilt has established a new Sustainability Advisory Council to guide and support the university’s progress toward its comprehensive long-term sustainability strategy. The council will include students, staff and faculty selected by Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente and Vice Chancellor for Administration Eric Kopstain. Read More

Remember to power down before you leave your residence hall for an extended period over Winter Break. Your reductions in energy use can have a large impact when aggregated across the entire university. Read More

Amanda Little, Steven Pinker and Carl Zimmer joined moderator Jon Meacham for the final Chancellor’s Lecture Series of 2019. The panel discussed how expanded access to data has changed human approaches to every part of our lives. Read More

This year, applications for the Vanderbilt Green Fund will be submitted via a special one-hour event: the Vanderbilt Green-a-thon. Read More