Goals and Progress
University of Richmond will be carbon neutral by 2050
The 2010 Climate Action Plan for the University of Richmond established the framework for achieving the University’s carbon neutrality and climate action goals under the Presidents Carbon Commitment. Our goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2020, 65% by 2035, and 100% by 2050. In addition to emissions reduction, the Climate Action Plan articulates goals for embedding sustainability into the curricular and co-curricular aspects of a Richmond education.
University of Richmond will achieve 75% diversion of materials from the landfill by 2025
In 2016, the University embarked on a comprehensive analysis of our waste infrastructure with an eye toward planning and implementing a system-wide program that would result in opportunities to reduce waste, increase recycling, identify efficiencies resulting in an 75% waste-to-landfill diversion rate. A campaign aimed at standardizing bins and signage across campus, educating visitors, staff, faculty, and students, and promoting our ethic of stewardship launched in Fall 2017. Both pre- and post-consumer composting initiatives were implemented in Fall 2020 and are currently being expanded across campus.
