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Tracking Progress

American University’s sustainability progress is measured in a variety of ways that we invite you to explore on this page. AU's longstanding commitment to sustainability is evident across the campus and we continue to evaluate progress and seek new opportunities.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Office of Sustainability conducts an annual inventory of all greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere as a result of American University's operations. These emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane, contribute to global climate change.

Annual GHG emissions reports are submitted publicly to Second Nature.

On the graph below, you'll notice that American University reached net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, achieving carbon neutrality two years ahead of schedule. Reaching net zero emissions was the product of many programs including energy efficiency initiatives, renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable transportation programs, and zero waste efforts.

 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions are measured in three categories:

On-site emissions from natural gas and the university fleet.

Purchased electricity for campus use.

All other emissions including commuting, study abroad travel, athletics travel, travel for conferences and meetings, emissions from waste that goes to landfill, and other small sources of emissions.

Sustainability Metrics

Key metrics are tracked to measure sustainability progress across campus.

Click here to learn more about metrics.

Milestones

AU has a long history of sustainability accomplishments. 

Learn more about the milestones here.

STARS Reporting

Greenhouse gas emissions reductions are only part of AU's sustainability efforts. To measure progress in the environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability, AU uses the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Reporting System (STARS).

STARS was created by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) to help colleges and universities track progress and set goals.

AU was a charter participant in STARS and has completed six assessments since 2010. AU completed its sixth STARS submission in the spring of 2021, earning a Gold rating. AU's seventh STARS report was completed over the summer of 2024 and is in review now. The finalized report will be shared here soon.

 

How AU Reached Carbon Neutrality

American University achieved the important milestone of carbon neutrality with a three step approach:

  1. Decrease emissions through efficiency and behavior change.
  2. Use renewable energy.
  3. Use offsets for the emissions we are still reducing.

Details about the approach by each scope are shared below.

AU uses a number of energy saving technologies and water saving features to decrease the amount of natural gas used for heating and hot water. Solar thermal panels also allow us to use energy from the sun to create hot water and further decrease reliance on fossil fuels. AU’s campus also recently transitioned from a centralized steam plant to a decentralized low temperature hot water system which will decrease natural gas and electricity use substantially.

For natural gas that AU still uses, offsets are purchased.

AU decreased electricity use per square foot by more than 20% from 2005 to 2017. This reduction was achieved through individual actions, like turning off lights and unplugging chargers, efficiency upgrades like using LED bulbs on campus, and by using a building automation system that allows Facilities management to monitor buildings for unusual activity. Scope 2 emissions are further decreased with on-campus solar and electricity from our solar farms in North Carolina. AU also purchases Green-e certified renewable energy credits to match the remaining electricity used on campus.

Reduction is the first priority for all emissions. Decreasing waste and offering alternative transportation options have helped reduce emissions in scope 3. For the remaining emissions AU purchases offsets.