Sustainability Guiding Commitments
The transformational experience our students seek is a sustainable one. Fifty-three percent of last year’s incoming class told us Appalachian’s commitment to sustainability was a deciding factor in their choice to attend Appalachian. When we say sustainability is in our DNA, it’s genuine. It’s a reality that sets our institution apart, and provides teaching and research opportunities for our faculty, staff and students. This commitment creates value for the institution, and it makes the degrees of our students and alumni more valuable as well.
Guiding our opportunities for a more sustainable community and world are the following commitments:
- Strategic Energy and Water Management Plan (2019-20)
- Signatory of the Second Nature Climate Commitment (2016)
Rebranding of the American College and University President's Climate Commitment with the addition of a Resilience Commitment
- Affiliate with Workers Rights Consortium (2016)
- Introduced Carbon Neutral Commuter Program (2014)
- "The Appalachian Experience: Envisioning a Just and Sustainable Future" Strategic Plan 2014-2019 (2014)
- The University of North Carolina Sustainability Policy (Adopted 2009, Amended 2013)
- Zero Waste Strategic Plan (2012)
- First Appalachian Energy Summit (2012)
- Appalachian Climate Action Plan (2010)
- Appalachian 2020 Campus Master Plan (2010)
- UNC System-Wide Sustainability Policy (2009)
- Created ASU Office of Sustainability (2009)
- Committed to AASHE STARS Sustainability Reporting (2008)
In May 2012, Appalachian received a Gold rating on this assessment. This status was renewed in 2015 when Appalachian became the second-highest rated university to date.
- Signatory of the American College and University President's Climate Commitment (2008)
- Created Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (2008)
- UNC Tomorrow Commission Final Report (2007)
- Created ASU Sustainability Council (2007)
- Signatory of the Talloires Declaration (1997)
- State of North Carolina; Executive Order 156 (1996, Gov. Hunt)
