Track Our Progress
The university’s sustainability efforts are driving down costs, improving efficiency, advancing transformative research, educating a new generation of leaders and ultimately helping create a better world. Browse the highlights or download full reports below to learn how our programs are engaging campus and community in preparing for a more sustainable future.
119
Sustainability-Related Degrees
350+
Sustainability-Related Courses
600+
Sustainability-Related Researchers
71%
of incoming students in 2016 who said NC State’s sustainability commitments influenced their decision to attend the university.
Gold
rating in sustainability performance from Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
60
campus workplaces and 185 campus events earning sustainability certification since 2011
33%
campus energy use reduction since 2003
50%
campus water use reduction since 2002
13.5%
campus greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2008
1+ million
campus square footage that is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.
48.5%
campus waste diverted from landfill in fiscal year 2016
27%
average annual percentage of local food purchased by NC State Dining
3.22 Million
Wolfline passenger boardings in fiscal year 2016
4,438
WolfTrails alternative commute program participants during fiscal years 2012-2016
425+
sustainability-related campus events during fiscal years 2012-2016
Annual Report
Every year the university issues a sustainability report that tracks progress toward NC State’s Sustainability Strategic Plan.
Download the Fiscal Year 2016 Sustainability Report (PDF)
Download 2011-2016 Sustainability Strategic Plan Final Report (PDF)
Previous Annual Sustainability Reports
NC State’s Annual Sustainability Report is issued by the Campus Environmental Sustainability Team (prior to 2015) and the Sustainability Council beginning in 2015. An NC State Advanced Auditing class audited the 2012-2013 Annual Sustainability Report and summarized its findings and recommendations. Students in the spring 2015 course audited the 2013-2014 report and summarized its findings and recommendations. Students in the spring 2017 course audited the 2015-2016 report and summarized its findings and recommendations.
Access NC State’s report in the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Report System, a national third-party sustainability reporting system that awarded NC State a Gold rating for sustainability.
Awards and Recognition
NC State is a leader in sustainability.
| 2017 | Members of NC State community receive several campus, community sustainability awards |
| 2016 | NC State received a Gold rating in Sustainability Tracking Assessment, and Reporting System (STARS)
NC State received a Gold rating as a Best Workplace for Commuters Recognized by the Princeton Review as a Green College NC State designated as a Bicycle Friendly University at the Gold level |
| 2015 | Recognized by the Princeton Review as a Green College
Carolina Recycling Association’s Outstanding College or University Program Award was awarded to NC State for its pizza box composting program |
| 2014 | University Housekeeping was recognized nationally as a Silver winner in the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities competition sponsored by American School & University Magazine, the Green Cleaning Network and the Healthy Schools Campaign
NC State University Dining was the bronze recipient in the National Association of College and University Food Services’ Sustainability Awards NC State receives Award of Excellence from the Utility Savings Initiative of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Recognized by the Princeton Review as a Green College Triangle Clean Cities Coalition Stakeholder Excellence Award for petroleum displaced (38,000 gallons) |
| 2013 | NC State receives 2013 Raleigh Environmental Stewardship Award
NC State University Dining wins Food Service Director’s Grand Goldie Award for its sustainability program, My Roots are at NC State. Recognized by the Princeton Review as a Green College NC State received Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance |
| 2012 | NC State receives 2014 national APPA Sustainability Award
Recognized by the Princeton Review as a Green College NC State was honored with Golden Mode awards in Employee Commuting and the Smart Commute Challenge from GoTriangle, a partnership of public transportation agencies and organizations NC State received Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance NC State designated as a Bicycle Friendly University |
| 2011 | NC State received a “B+” from the Sustainable Endowments Institute Green Report Card |
| 2010 | NC State named one of the Southeast’s Top 5 Coolest Schools by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
NC State awarded 2010 SmithSeal of North Carolina Sustainable Business Award by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce NC State received a “B” on the Sustainable Endowments Institute Green Report Card NC State awarded C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) for leading a partnership with Jacksonville, NC that restored Wilson Bay |
| 2009 | NC State included in the Peterson’s Review book Green Jobs for New Economy: the Career Guide to Emerging Opportunities. NC State received a “C+” from the Sustainable Endowments Institute Green Report Card |
| 2007 | NC State University’s Facilities Division received APPA’s 2007 Award for Excellence |