The University Climate Change Coalition (UC3), organized by Second Nature, is a network of research universities that are committed to reducing their own emissions while also venturing beyond their campuses to connect with local governments, businesses, and other communities to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon future.
By joining the UC3, each member school committed to convening a cross-sector climate change forum to bring together community and business leaders, elected officials, advocates, and other stakeholders in their region.
Washington University in St. Louis is preparing and supporting leaders with the knowledge, experience, and creativity needed to tackle complex problems. Through cutting-edge research and quality education, WashU’s local and global community is accelerating the discovery and application of solutions to the great energy, environmental and sustainability challenges facing our planet.
Chancellor Andrew Martin speaking with Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Phil Valko. 
WUCCP Director Beth Martin at a strategic planning session in Vancouver. 
WashU has recently embarked on an ambitious solar project. It is now home to one of the largest solar operations in the region. 
Students taking part in the Renewable Energy Student Engagement Team (RESET), an interdisciplinary course which explores the complexities of renewable energies. RESET students were active in the solar installation project.
A leader in green building, the University committed in 2008 to meet or exceed LEED Silver certifications for all new construction or major renovations. The campus is now home to more than 2.25 million square feet of LEED certified space, the majority of which achieved LEED Gold or Platinum certification. In 2010, the university set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 without purchasing carbon offsets. Just five years into this effort, the University updated the goal to make it even more ambitious – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 including all campus growth, which nearly doubles the reduction required by the previous goal.
Sustainability Recognition
The Office of Sustainability keeps a list of WashU’s sustainability awards which exemplify its regional and national leadership in campus sustainability.