Academics: Curriculum
Sustainability curricular efforts are managed by the Sustainability Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), which is moving the U toward sustainability literacy for every student. SEAC designed the SUSC and SUSL course designations, which are applied to courses that integrate fundamental concepts of sustainability including social, environmental, and economic equity. Additional efforts to incorporate sustainability learning outcomes across campus will ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to address local and global challenges.
Did you know?
In 2017, only 7.9% of U students graduates from a program with at least one sustainability learning outcome. By 2020, that number increased to 36.4%.
SUSTAINABILITY Designated Courses
(COMBINED SUSl AND SUSc)
Percentage of Departments with at least one sustainability-related course
Academics: Research
Sustainability research efforts are led by the Global Change & Sustainability Center (GCSC), which is part of the Sustainability Office. Interdisciplinary sustainability research efforts are conducted in nine overlapping themes: air quality; built environment & communities; climate change; ecological & environmental change; energy; food systems; justice, equity, & diversity; nature & culture; and water. Find researchers using the searchable Sustainability Inventory.
Engagement in sustainability research
Percentage of Research departments that conduct Sustainability work
emissions
The U continues to reduce its emissions, even as the campus adds more students and buildings. Emissions are down overall, thanks to facility upgrades and long-term renewable contracts. The University of Utah tracks Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions over time. For more information on emissions data over time, contact Facilities Management Sustainability & Energy division.
Did you know?
The U reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 23% since 2019 due to a 20 megawatt geothermal power purchase agreement.
Emissions in MTCO2e
Progress toward carbon neutrality
27% decline (2020)
In Strategy 2025, the University of Utah committed to achieving a 50% carbon reduction by the year 2025, when compared to its 2007 baseline.