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    • How Are We Doing?

      The University has set ambitious goals for achieving various sustainability objectives. We track our progress to demonstrate how much we have achieved and how far we still have to go.
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    • Interactive Map

      Emory’s Atlanta campuses are about six miles from the downtown, Midtown and Buckhead areas. The Oxford Campus, the original site of Emory College when it was founded in 1836, is located about 40 miles east of Atlanta in Oxford, Georgia.
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    • History & Awards

      The Office of Sustainability was created in 2006 to guide Emory’s transformative practices and sustainable choices, but the University has followed a long path to becoming a recognized sustainability leader in higher education.
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  • Resources
  • Get Involved
    • Internships and Sustainable Careers

      No matter your major or role in the sustainability community, educational opportunities do not end in the classroom. Internships and alumni engagements connect you with industry leaders, new innovations and professional development opportunities.
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    • Campus Engagement Opportunities

      When you volunteer, you get to know others who are passionate about the environment and help make your community stronger. Join an advisory group to help inform Emory’s approach to sustainability, volunteer at upcoming events, and find other ways to get involved.
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    • Funding Opportunities

      Sometimes a high-impact project or idea just needs a little push to get off the ground. The Office of Sustainability Initiatives provides financial incentives and resources that can help make your vision a reality.
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    • Annual Awards and Competitions

      It takes our entire community to realize Emory’s sustainability vision. Discover how you can nominate a sustainability leader, and find details on competitions designed to motivate greater action towards sustainability.
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    • Sustainability Pledge

      We invite you to pledge your efforts to address energy, sustainable food, water conservation, green space, commuting, recycling, and other sustainability issues when at Emory and at home.
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    • Donate

      With your support, Emory can continue innovating its sustainable practices in teaching, research, facilities, and operations. Thank you for your involvement in this vitally important endeavor!
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Updated GHG emissions goals

Supporting the latest science to reduce emissions 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050

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Transformative Solar Agreement

Emory will install 5.5MW of solar generation on Druid Hills campus

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Reflecting on 5 years of water reclamation innovation, research and global outreach

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Supporting the next generation of Georgia farmers through a partnership between Emory and The Conservation Fund

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Zero Landfill Waste Emory

In 2019, Emory University diverted over 73% of its total waste from landfills

2025 Vision:

a model of transformative practices and sustainable choices at every level

Read the Vision

400+

courses that engage sustainability issues

54%

of Emory’s campus is designated as protected greenspace

40%

of Emory's total water use is reclaimed by the WaterHub at Emory

3.2%

of potable water use has been reduced since 2015

76%

of students commute using a more sustainable mode

40.6%

of food served in Emory dining halls is sourced locally or sustainably

97%

of construction waste was recycled or reused in 2017

70%

of campus waste was diverted from landfills in 2018

61%

of departments have sustainability courses

58%

of departments conduct sustainability-related research

68%

of students report increased sustainable behaviors while at Emory

75%

of students report increased awareness of social justice issues while at Emory

50+

faculty and staff are active in the Climate@Emory initiative

250+

faculty have graduated from the renowned Piedmont Project

30%

decrease in GHG emissions from a 2005 baseline

25.7%

decrease in GHG emissions from faculty & staff commuting from a 2005 baseline

3.6 million

gross square feet of LEED certified building space

35

buildings built/renovated to LEED standards

$410,000+

dollars from student meal plans spent at the Farmers Market since Fall 2015.

89%

of all employees receive a living wage

18.5%

of on-site contracted employees receive a living wage

736

acres of campus are nestled in Atlanta's Piedmont forests

73%

of campus grounds are managed organically

100%

of purchased electronics are EPEAT Gold registered

100%

of cleaning supplies are Green Seal certified

77%

of office paper is 100 percent post-consumer content

160

tons of fryer oil and grease were collected in 2017 and made into biofuel for Emory's shuttles

188

tons of clean animal bedding was composted from Emory's research labs in 2017

315

million+ gallons of water have been recycled by the Emory WaterHub since it opened in April 2015

94%

of cooling tower make-up water in 2019 was reclaimed, instead of using potable water

5,000+

people have visited or toured the Water Hub since it opened in 2015.

35K+

kWh of solar energy have been used by the Water Hub since its construction

33

offices are certified as Green Offices at Emory

$4,965

awarded in FY 2020 for Green Office small grants

66

million gallons of potable water were displaced by Emory's WaterHub in 2019.

13.2%

of total water consumption has been reduced since 2015.

1.36MW

of solar and co-generation installed on campus to date.

$665k

and 9.1 million KWh saved by converting parking deck lights to LEDs.

41%

of lighting energy reduced by LED building retrofits to date.

$60k

saved in energy costs during the 2019 holiday building turndown.

3,054 MWh

of electricity produced from on-campus solar and steam energy in 2019.

News

Zero Waste Ambassador Blog: 5 Wellness Tips for Making the Most of the Holidays During COVID-19

December 17, 2020

Zero Waste Ambassador Blog: Give (and give back to) the Places You Love!

December 10, 2020

Zero Waste Ambassador Blog: Wear Your Values – An Insight into Fast Fashion

December 3, 2020
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Events

Transforming Business to Build a Climate-Smart World

January 21 @ 9:00 am

Emory Goizueta Business School Hosts John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition Finals

January 21 @ 3:00 pm

RCE Greater Atlanta Hosts Virtual Seminar: “Migration Following Hurricane Michael: Evidence from the Consumer Credit Panel

January 22 @ 12:00 pm
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Resources

Student Sustainability Showcase 2020 Virtual Guide

IN: All Initiatives, All Topics

Emory University STARS Report

IN: All Initiatives, All Topics

Emory Sustainability Vision and Strategic Plan for 2015-2025

IN: All Initiatives, All Topics
View All Resources
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