Sustainability Key Performance Indicators

Stanford has undertaken major ongoing initiatives to reduce energy and water use, apply stringent environmental standards to all new buildings, encourage sustainable living, promote low-impact transportation, conserve natural resources, and …

Nov 15

Thanksgiving Closure Program Conserves Energy over Holiday Break

Building on the success of the established Winter Closure program, Stanford’s Facilities and Energy Management department and Office of Sustainability partnered with building managers across campus to conserve energy during …

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Dec 15

Winter Closure Provides Big Savings over Holiday Season

Since 2001, the annual Winter Closure program has served an important role in energy conservation at Stanford. Previously voluntary, the two-week shutdown of building heating, ventilation, and custodial services became …

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Feb 16

Campus Partners Lead by Example with Cardinal Green Event Program

Stanford University hosts thousands of events across campus each year. To support the sustainability of these events and recognize the sustainability leadership of campus event planners, the Office of Sustainability …

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Feb 16

Campus Strives for Zero Waste during RecycleMania Competition

Stanford took action against campus waste during winter quarter, resulting in a strong finish in RecycleMania, a national competition aimed at increasing recycling and composting and reducing landfilling. During February …

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Feb 16

Seven R&DE Student Housing Residences Convert to Green Cleaning

Following a successful pilot in 2015, Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&DE) Student Housing’s Lantana, Castaño, Ng, KAO, Pi Phi, Terra, and ZAP residences converted to using 100% green cleaning methods. …

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Mar 16

Expanded Plug Load Inventory Increases Campus Energy Usage Data

Following a successful plug load inventory in 2014, an expanded equipment inventory was conducted in summer 2015, covering 43 additional on- and off-campus buildings. The expanded inventory allowed Stanford to …

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Mar 16

Lab Share Event Reduces Waste and Conserves Research Funding

A first-of-its-kind lab share event organized through the Cardinal Green Lab program brought lab occupants from across campus together in an effort to reduce waste and promote reuse in the …

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Apr 16

Knowledge to Action Celebrates Sustainability as a Pillar of the University for 125 Years

To celebrate Stanford’s 125th anniversary, the Office of Sustainability partnered with departments and organizations across campus to host Knowledge to Action, a series of premier sustainability events, on April 19. …

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Apr 16

Tailored Messages, Prizes, and Technology Seen as Key to Pro-environmental Behavior

Some people save energy because they care about the environment; others want a reward for doing so. That’s okay, according to Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences …

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Apr 16

Volunteers Celebrate National Earth Day by Restoring Campus Landscapes

To celebrate and honor Earth Day, the Water Quality, Efficiency, & Stewardship (WQES) team collaborated with the Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) departments of Grounds Services and Land Use …

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Jun 16

Campus-Wide Conservation Efforts Greatly Reduce Water Use during Drought Conditions

In June 2015, Provost John Etchemendy issued a letter asking the campus community to take action for water conservation. To comply with state drought regulations, Stanford University limited domestic water …

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Jul 16

Energy Conservation Pilot Launches in DAPER

The Office of Sustainability partnered with the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER) to pilot a new mobile application that empowers occupants to control the energy usage of …

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Jul 16

New Sustainability Program Rewards “Cardinal Green” Actions

Over the summer, participants in the My Cardinal Green pilot program were recognized for their sustainable practices. The new program is aimed at fostering the culture of sustainability while reducing the …

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Aug 16

Cardinal Green Labs Launches Voluntary Lab Recycling Program

Many items used in laboratories can be recycled, including cardboard, paper, metal, and certain uncontaminated glass and plastics. However, most labs don’t have easy access to recycling bins. In response, …

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