Sustainability
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Graduate and professional student housing project celebrates milestones with topping out ceremony, announces first retail business
Vanderbilt’s graduate and professional student housing project reached two milestones in April: the placement of the final steel structural beam of the building, and the announcement of the first retail business to occupy the space, the Turnip Truck. Read MoreMay 2, 2022
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Engineering team looks at recycled glass to improve building materials, protect environment
Vanderbilt engineers are collaborating with the University of Alabama on a research project that uses recycled glass to enhance building materials, create sustainable infrastructure and reduce waste. Read MoreApr 26, 2022
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Share your priorities for addressing climate change in Nashville
To help Metro Nashville and the its Sustainability Advisory Committee better understand the climate mitigation strategies that are most important to you, please take this survey. Community feedback from this survey will help determine next steps to address climate change in Nashville. Read MoreApr 7, 2022
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WATCH: Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy hosts virtual discussion on new approaches to climate change
Vanderbilt Law School professor Michael Vandenbergh will discuss bipartisan efforts to address climate change and sustainability with environmental activist Benji Backer in a virtual event on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 12:30 p.m. hosted by the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy. Read MoreFeb 10, 2022
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Two Vanderbilt University buildings earn LEED certification
Vanderbilt University has been awarded two Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications for the School of Nursing building and 1101 19th Avenue South, formerly the Disciples of Christ building. The university now has 24 LEED-certified buildings as designated by the U.S. Green Building Council. Read MoreFeb 3, 2022
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Solar farm groundbreaking advances Vanderbilt’s large-scale renewable energy partnership
A bold partnership that will help Vanderbilt University power its campus entirely through renewable energy has moved forward with the Jan. 19 groundbreaking for a solar farm in Bedford County, Tennessee. Read MoreJan 21, 2022
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Sustainability, inclusion advancements highlighted in FutureVU FY2021 Progress Report
Vanderbilt University made significant strides during fiscal year 2021 in sustainable building and landscape projects, accessibility improvements and transportation and mobility initiatives, even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read MoreDec 1, 2021
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C.J. Sentell, PhD’15: Food for Thought
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 MoreNov 18, 2021
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Vanderbilt University to host PARK(ing) Day 2021 Sept. 17
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 MoreSep 9, 2021
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Electric Avenue: Vanderbilt alumni are helping steer General Motors toward a future driven by electric vehicle sales
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 MoreJul 26, 2021
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Hornberger retires; new working group begins planning for future of climate, environment and energy education, research and advocacy at Vanderbilt
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 MoreJul 21, 2021
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Vanderbilt wins Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for energy and renewable resources progress
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 MoreJul 9, 2021
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Watch: Chancellor Diermeier hosts sustainability webinar
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 MoreJun 17, 2021
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Chancellor to host virtual event on sustainability and climate change June 15
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 MoreJun 11, 2021
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Vanderbilt announces new collaboration to accelerate efforts to address its carbon footprint and tackle climate change
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 MoreMay 24, 2021
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International climate webinar hosted by School of Nursing April 8
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 MoreMar 26, 2021
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Campus Dining now featuring local and sustainable produce
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 MoreMar 12, 2021
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Vanderbilt Divinity School awarded LEED certification following renovation and addition
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 MoreMar 12, 2021
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Watch: Owen Forward presents ‘The Future of Sustainability’
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 MoreMar 10, 2021
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FutureVU progress report for FY2020 now available
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 MoreJan 27, 2021