UW earns Gold STARS rating for sustainability performance

Our take

The University of Washington (UW) has achieved a prestigious Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), recognizing its outstanding performance in sustainability practices. This achievement highlights UW's commitment to integrating sustainability into its campus operations, academics, and community engagement. The Gold rating signifies that UW has met rigorous criteria in areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable transportation. UW's proactive approach includes initiatives that not only reduce its environmental footprint but also enhance the quality of life for students, faculty, and the surrounding community. By fostering a culture of sustainability, the university encourages innovation and collaboration among its members, making sustainability a core value of the institution. This recognition places UW among a select group of higher education institutions dedicated to sustainability, showcasing its leadership in environmental stewardship and social responsibility. As the university continues to pursue ambitious sustainability goals, it sets an inspiring example for other institutions to follow. The Gold STARS rating not only reflects UW's achievements but also its ongoing commitment to creating a more sustainable future. Moving forward, UW aims to build on this momentum, engaging the community in meaningful ways and inspiring future generations to prioritize sustainability in their own endeavors.

An aerial shot of the UW quad with the cherry trees blooming — The University of Washington has earned a Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS. Photo: University of Washington

The University of Washington has earned a Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS.

The STARS ratings, administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, are good for three years and are based on self-reported assessments. The UW has held a Gold rating from STARS since first participating in 2012.

“The STARS Gold rating is recognition of all the hard work being done across our campus by staff, students and faculty for sustainability,” UW Sustainability director Lisa Dulude said. “As we celebrate Earth Day in April, this achievement is a reminder of the UW’s commitment to embed sustainability in everything we do, and the benefits of this work for our environment and our community.”

The STARS report covers the UW in Seattle and includes questions on sustainability performance in academics, planning and administration, engagement and operations. About 380 schools worldwide have active STARS ratings. Gold is the second-highest tier. There are 17 schools that have achieved the highest Platinum rating. UW Bothell also holds a STARS Gold rating.

All STARS reports are public, and the UW’s STARS report can be viewed here.

STARS is the most wide-reaching sustainability report, and the information collected gives the UW a comprehensive view of its sustainability performance and allows for comparison to peer universities. It can also provide insight on areas where additional efforts might be needed.

The information is used to inform the UW’s Sustainability Action Plan, which sets out the University’s sustainability goals. The first Sustainability Action Plan was adopted in 2020, and the UW is currently in the process of creating an updated Plan, which will be finalized by summer 2026.

“The UW has long been a sustainability leader in higher education, as evidenced by our long track record of STARS Gold ratings,” Dulude said. “With the Sustainability Action Plan update, working groups have identified several areas to set measurable targets, which ensure we will continue that leadership.”

The UW’s sustainability efforts are also on show in recognition of Earth Day on April 22. Events organized by a variety of groups across the UW happen throughout the month, including volunteer opportunities, workshops and more. You can see the full list of events on the UW Sustainability site.

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