The George Washington University has achieved three major sustainability goals as the year comes to a close. In September, the university announcedthat it earned a platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), a leading framework that measures how colleges and universities perform across environmental, social and economic sustainability efforts. In addition to this achievement, GW has met its interim carbon-neutrality target and updated its fossil fuel investment strategy, further underscoring its commitment to a more sustainable future.

"Sustainability is one of our defining commitments as a university, and reaching these milestones affirms the progress we have made while also motivating us to go further," said GW President Ellen M. Granberg. "I deeply appreciate all that our entire community has done to advance this critical work and look forward to continuing this effort as we build a more sustainable and resilient GW."

These accomplishments build on work that began in 2020, when the GW Board of Trustees created the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Responsibility Task Force. Since then, the university has continued to strengthen and expand its sustainability efforts.

Five years ago, GW set an ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2030. Over the past decade, the university has cut its carbon emissions by using more renewable energy, upgrading buildings to be more energy efficient, taking energy conservation measures and encouraging cleaner transportation options. By fiscal year 2025, these actions reduced the university's emissions to 81,806 metric tons, a drop of more than 36% from the baseline set in 2008.

To close the remaining gap and officially meet the 2025 interim target of 40% reduction, the university is purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs). Josh Lasky, B.A. '07, M.P.A. '09, interim assistant vice president for university resilience and director of the Office of Sustainability, said that this strategic purchase keeps GW on track and supports steady progress toward achieving full carbon neutrality by 2030.

Beginning in 2026, GW will match all the electricity it buys from the grid with electricity generated from renewable sources. This is possible through a new 15-year power purchase agreement that supports the development of new solar energy. The agreement expands on a similar long-term solar partnershipGW entered in 2015, which helped launch one of the largest non-utility solar projects on the East Coast.

In 2020, GW pledged to phase out public and private investments in companies primarily engaged in fossil fuel extraction from its endowment by 2025. The university has fulfilled that pledge.

As part of this effort GW helped launch new fossil-fuel-free investment products, broadening sustainable options in the market. It also invested with companies leading the transition to a low-carbon economy and partnered with ESG fund managers who actively push corporate leaders to improve sustainability and resource efficiency.

"As the university's sustainability journey continues, it will require the collective focus and engagement of students, faculty and staff," Lasky said. "Together we can create a more sustainable GW for generations to come."