CU ranked 11th for sustainability among US universities
QS World University Rankings has named CU Boulder as one of the top universities in the world for environmental and social impact. CU is ranked 11th in the United States and 61st in the world for sustainability in .
The QS methodology is based on university performance across three assessment categories:
- Environmental Impact: Aggregating environmental sustainability, environmental education and environmental research
- Social Impact: Aggregating equality, knowledge exchange, impact of education, employability and opportunities, and health and well being
- Governance: Considering factors related to good governance: ethics, hiring practices, transparency, decision making, etc.
“CU Boulder has been a global leader in sustainability for many years, and I’m excited to see our faculty, staff and students earn recognition for their accomplishments,” Chancellor Justin Schwartz said. “We’re committed to investing more deeply in sustainability research, education and action efforts in the months ahead as we implement solutions on campus and across Colorado, the nation and the world.”
Through innovative research projects, interdisciplinary collaborations and a commitment to sustainable practices, CU Boulder is driving initiatives to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges. Some recent solutions-oriented research and projects include:
- Regional Innovation Engines program
- Next-generation solar cells
- Off-shore wind energy
- Power grid optimization
CU Boulder’s Climate Action Plan calls for a 50% reduction in carbon emissions (from a 2019 baseline) by 2030 and carbon neutrality by no later than 2050.