GW Earns STARS Platinum Rating for Sustainability Performance

George Washington University earned a platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), a comprehensive framework for colleges and universities that addresses the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability.

This sustainability rating puts GW in an elite tier within higher education, as the platinum distinction is held by only 4.1% of institutions internationally and 2.9% of institutions in the United States that participate in STARS.

GW had previously earned a gold rating five times between 2014 and 2023. In 2020, the GW Board of Trustees set a goal of achieving platinum rating by 2025. The fulfilment of the BOT commitment to earn platinum rating is the result of a multi-year effort to expand and enhance GW's academic and co-curricular programs, operating policies and procedures, and resource conservation and efficiency efforts. GW's submission data can be viewed at stars.aashe.org.

"Our STARS Platinum rating underscores the strategic importance of sustainability as a defining commitment of the university," said President Ellen M. Granberg. "This recognition affirms our progress even as it motivates us to go further, as we take critical action across academics and operations to address pressing global challenges and meet the rising expectations of our students."

STARS is a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) developed by the higher education community through a transparent and inclusive process. An institution's STARS score is based on the percentage of applicable points earned in credits across four main categories: academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration.

"GW's achievement demonstrates not only the university's dedication and innovation but also the power of collaboration across all sectors of campus life," said Meghan Fay Zanhiser, executive director of AASHE. "At a time when our world faces unprecedented environmental and social challenges, GW's leadership serves as a beacon for what is possible when institutions align their values with bold, measurable action."

Located on the hill outside Ames Hall, the Mount Vernon Campus Community Garden provides a bountiful harvest of vegetables and herbs.

Since its most recent STARS submission in 2023, GW has made a concerted effort to improve performance across all four categories. GW offers more than 900 sustainability-focused and sustainability-inclusive courses, and more than 90% of academic departments offer sustainability courses. Sustainability engagement grew significantly through new spaces and initiatives like Mount Vernon Campus Community Garden, the Reuse Marketand The Loop, GW's free clothing exchange. The university has expanded sustainable operations practices in food sourcing, grounds management, purchasing and emissions data verification. More information about GW's ongoing sustainability initiatives can be found at sustainability.gwu.edu.

"Our STARS platinum rating is a testament to the hard work of our students, faculty and staff to align around sustainability efforts across the institution," said Josh Lasky, interim assistant vice president for university resilience who directs GW's Office of Sustainability. "This milestone adds momentum for our community to advance our practices, deepen our collaboration across the university and with external partners, and continue innovating in ways that distinguish GW."