UW News

April 6, 2022

UW recognized as leader in sustainability by STARS

UW Sustainability

Aerial view of UW Campus

Aerial view of campus via the Husky Flying ClubRaymond Smith, University of Washington

The University of Washington once again has been recognized as a sustainability leader by the ​​Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).

The UW recently received a Gold rating with a score of 70.78%. The UW has held a Gold rating from STARS since first participating in 2012.

The STARS ratings, administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, are good for three years and are based on self-reported assessments. The UW’s submission included information on sustainability efforts and performance in 72 different credit areas.

“This Gold rating is a testament to the positive contributions being made campuswide by dedicated staff, faculty and students on a wide variety of sustainability efforts,” said Lou Cariello, vice president of UW Facilities. “Through the Sustainability Action Plan, we will continue to advance this important work.”

The report covers the UW’s Seattle campus, and includes questions on sustainability performance in academics, planning and administration, engagement and operations. Gold is the second-highest tier in the STARS ratings. Ten schools have achieved the highest Platinum rating.

The information collected for the STARS report will also help inform the UW’s actions under the Sustainability Action Plan. The UW Sustainability Action Plan, adopted in 2020, set 10 measurable targets to be achieved by 2025, including areas relating to energy, transportation, food, waste, academic research, purchasing and more.

“Earning another STARS Gold rating shows that the UW continues to value and work toward sustainability,” said UW Sustainability interim director Marilyn Ostergren. “We also know there is much more to do. We continue to work with staff, students and faculty across the UW on reaching the Sustainability Action Plan targets as well as identifying other opportunities to ensure a more sustainable and equitable future.”

The University of Washington’s STARS report can be viewed here.

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