Office of Sustainability

St. Louis recently became the first jurisdiction in the Midwest — and just the fourth in the country — to adopt a comprehensive new standard designed to reduce its carbon footprint. Washington University’s Office of Sustainability provided technical expertise to support the new standard’s development.

Washington University in St. Louis now offers a major in environmental analysis though the Environmental Studies program in Arts & Sciences. The major is a response to the global demand for environmental and sustainability experts who can think critically, communicate clearly and solve problems in collaboration with their communities. 

The Office of Sustainability at Washington University in St. Louis bestowed Sustainability Leadership Awards on three members of the university community at the annual Green Carpet Awards.

Washington University in St. Louis is now a member of the University Climate Change Coalition or UC3, a network of research universities dedicated to accelerating climate change solutions. As part of its commitment, the university recently partnered with regional leaders to collaborate for a greener, cleaner St. Louis.

As a student, Channing Hunter has helped municipal leaders in inventory and understand carbon emissions data so they can launch policies that improve the environment, human health and the economy. “It all starts with the data,” Hunter says.

The first cohort of Sustainability Leadership awardees was recognized at the Green Carpet Awards ceremony last month.

WUSTL students kicked off Car-Free Month Oct. 4 with a bike-in movie at Forest Park. Today is the last day to sign up for the Car-Free Challenge. Other events this month include free bike tune-ups, bike rides and the MetroLink Prom. 

​Two prominent environmental thinkers and activists will address climate change, biodiversity and pollution during a lecture at 7 p.m. April 10 in Whitaker Hall Auditorium at Washington University in St. Louis. The lecture titled “To Hell in a Handbasket?: The Global Environment and Sustainability” is free and open to the public. The primary sponsors are University College — the adult, evening and continuing education division in Arts & Sciences — and the International Affairs program in University College.

Faculty, staff and students commuting to all WUSTL campuses are encouraged to leave their sedans, SUVs and minivans in the garage and go “car-free” for the month of October as part of the university’s Car-Free Month. Car-Free Month activities include free bicycle tune-ups, a group bike ride, a Car-Free Challenge and demonstrations.

The university is increasing composting opportunities on the Danforth Campus through pilot programs with schools and departments. Beginning in August, visitors to Brown Hall and Goldfarb Hall of the Brown School, Anheuser-Busch Hall of the School of Law, and Facilities’ office Millbrook Building will have an opportunity to compost some of their waste.