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Life at Emory » Sustainability

Sustainability

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The university designates more than half of the campus as protected green space, serves local and sustainably grown food, employs environmentally conscious construction and fosters alternative transportation methods.

The Office of Sustainability Initiatives leads our environmental efforts. We share how well we're doing in meeting our goals with the Sustainability Dashboard. And we highlight external recognition of our progress in our Points of Pride section.

The university works with the Clifton Community Partnership to help create a vibrant, living-learning-working environment in the neighborhoods surrounding Emory.

Green Campus, Green Buildings

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LEED + trees

Emory's main campus, covering more than 600 acres, maintains a pedestrian-friendly core.

Among U.S. campuses, the university has one of the largest inventories by square footage of building space that's certified to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. All construction projects are designed to meet a minimum of "silver" LEED certification.

Since 2003, university policy has required "no net loss of forest canopy" on campus, ensuring removed trees are replaced to maintain the same green space ratio overall.

An interactive Sustainability Map encourages community members to learn about the unique ecosystem of our campus.



'Go Together'

bicycles

Shuttles, bikes, cars

The university strives to reduce traffic congestion in and around campus by promoting alternative transportation options including:

Cliff shuttles

Bike Emory

The university also works on traffic issues with neighborhood groups, including the Clifton Corridor Transportation Management Association and the Clifton Community Partnership.



Think Globally, Eat Locally

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Sustaining + sustainable

Local and sustainably grown foods are filling our plates as Emory's dining facilities work toward the ambitious goal of getting three-quarters of the food they serve from these sources by 2015. | See what's fresh and local

We also support sustainable food producers by hosting a farmers market in season.

Students, faculty and staff can learn about sustainability through observing and tending special gardens on campus. | Sign up to garden



Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

recycling

Conservation on campus

Energy-conservation competitions help the university work to reduce energy use 25 percent per square foot by 2015 from 2005 levels. A retrofitting project to improve more than 1 million square feet of building space promises to pay for itself through utility savings.

Rainwater cisterns, low-flow shower heads and humidity-capturing technology are some of the tools Emory's using to cut water consumption.

Emory Recycles works to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, as the university seeks to recycle 65 percent of its waste by 2015. Emory Recycles also serves neighbors including The Carter Center, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and some schools and retirement homes.