Boston University

Students at Boston University have diverse educational opportunities related to sustainability in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs offered through 16 of Boston University’s 17 schools and colleges. These opportunities include a broad range … read more

Students at Boston University have diverse educational opportunities related to sustainability in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs offered through 16 of Boston University’s 17 schools and colleges. These opportunities include a broad range of courses on topics such as sustainable energy, climate change, and environmental history, and degree programs that prepare students for careers and graduate schools in fields related to sustainability.

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Boston University's faculty and students engage in various research projects in order to more effectively understand and interpret vast and ever-changing issues related to sustainability. Research spans multiple disciplines, focuses on local, national and global … read more

Boston University's faculty and students engage in various research projects in order to more effectively understand and interpret vast and ever-changing issues related to sustainability. Research spans multiple disciplines, focuses on local, national and global scales, relates to science, policy, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and utilizes quantitative and qualitative research methods.

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University sponsored co-curricular offerings help integrate sustainability into the campus culture. Boston University has developed co-curricular education programs that actively involve the student body, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Boston University connects to the community through a broad range of sustainability-related public engagement activities; often partnering with the City of Boston and other area universities to help broaden the number of people engaged in … read more

Boston University connects to the community through a broad range of sustainability-related public engagement activities; often partnering with the City of Boston and other area universities to help broaden the number of people engaged in these initiatives throughout the University and the city.

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From a FY2006 baseline, by FY2018 Boston University reduced its adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user by 29.9%. This progress comes from energy efficiency, fuel switching from oil to … read more

From a FY2006 baseline, by FY2018 Boston University reduced its adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user by 29.9%. This progress comes from energy efficiency, fuel switching from oil to natural gas, and from the New England electrical grid becoming less carbon intensive.

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Boston University incorporates sustainable building practices into small renovations and large construction projects alike. Building design and construction takes a broad spectrum of green building strategies into account. To accomplish this, the University uses the … read more

Boston University incorporates sustainable building practices into small renovations and large construction projects alike. Building design and construction takes a broad spectrum of green building strategies into account. To accomplish this, the University uses the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification System to track opportunities in transportation, site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, waste reduction, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. New construction projects meet LEED Certification standards, with all major projects currently in design and construction seeking LEED Certification.

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Among all of the University’s sustainability strategies, sustainability@BU views energy efficiency as the most important issue to address. The efficient use of energy reduces the University's exposure to market volatility and ongoing operating costs. It … read more

Among all of the University’s sustainability strategies, sustainability@BU views energy efficiency as the most important issue to address. The efficient use of energy reduces the University's exposure to market volatility and ongoing operating costs. It is also a significant way to reduce the University’s greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. In order to most effectively address cost and emissions, we must first reduce energy consumption.

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The Dining Services Sustainability Program makes a campus-wide effort to reduce environmental impacts by seeking out vendors that are committed to sustainable agriculture practices, and by purchasing local food. The Program is committed to pre-consumer … read more

The Dining Services Sustainability Program makes a campus-wide effort to reduce environmental impacts by seeking out vendors that are committed to sustainable agriculture practices, and by purchasing local food. The Program is committed to pre-consumer waste reduction and encouraging reuse and recycling. It also focuses on the reduction of energy, fuel, and water use. In order to accomplish its goals, Dining Services seeks economically viable solutions and partners with suppliers, Facilities Management and Planning, Sourcing and Procurement, and recycling and composting companies. Together we're working to identify environmentally responsible products and practices that encourage reuse and recycling, and the reduction of energy, fuel, and water use.

The University seeks vendors that are committed to sustainable agriculture practices. The University's food and beverage expenditures from third-party verified or Local & Community-Based vendors make up 18.7% of all purchases. The University buys locally to reduce fuel usage and associated greenhouse gas emissions. BU currently purchases everything from dairy, fruits and vegetables, Certified Humane chicken, grass-fed ground beef and burgers from Maine Family Farms, VT organic tofu, organic soy milk and sustainable seafood from 47 local farms and growers.

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In keeping with BU’s commitment to sustainability, the University has introduced a number of eco-agricultural initiatives on campus, such as integrated pest management and composting yard waste

In an effort to reduce the University’s environmental footprint through the products and services it procures, Boston University first launched its Green Purchasing initiative in 2004, choosing products and services that are economically viable and … read more

In an effort to reduce the University’s environmental footprint through the products and services it procures, Boston University first launched its Green Purchasing initiative in 2004, choosing products and services that are economically viable and have a smaller environmental impact in areas such as manufacturing, transportation, recycling, and disposal.

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At Boston University 97.5% of our students and 60.1% of our faculty and staff take sustainable means of transportation on a daily basis. The reason for this high rate is simple; Boston University is well … read more

At Boston University 97.5% of our students and 60.1% of our faculty and staff take sustainable means of transportation on a daily basis. The reason for this high rate is simple; Boston University is well situated within an urban center and is well integrated with a robust transportation network.

The Charles River Campus has 8 subway stops on the B line, 2 on the C line, 2 on the D line, and 1 commuter rail stop. The Medical Campus has 2 nearby stops on the Silver Line. 12 inter-city bus lines and 4 shuttles service the main and medical campuses, connecting the University with twelve neighboring communities. The University also operates “The BUS” that connects the two campuses running on a 10 to 20 minute daytime frequency and features 13 stops.

BU has the site of the city’s first bike lanes, which are now part of an ever-expanding network, incorporating more than 100 miles of city streets and parks. To accommodate this popular means of transportation, bicycle storage has increased steadily since 2008, now with over 2,395 spaces at 132 unique locations on the Charles River Campus. The City of Boston’s Hubway bike share program now includes 5 stations on the Charles River Campus and 1 on the Medical Campus.

The MBTA offers a Semester T-Pass program for students through the University, which provides an 11% discount. Monthly subway and bus passes are available with a 35% subsidy and 50% subsidy for boat and commuter rail passes for faculty and staff.

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Boston University began work to improve the University’s waste and recycling efforts in 2006 with a waste audit conducted on the Charles River Campus. The audit revealed a recycling rate of 4% for the Charles … read more

Boston University began work to improve the University’s waste and recycling efforts in 2006 with a waste audit conducted on the Charles River Campus. The audit revealed a recycling rate of 4% for the Charles River Campus and 3% overall with the Medical Campus included. The University has increased its diversion rate to 38.6% in FY2018. This increase can largely be attributed to two factors: Dining Services moving to trayless dining and food waste composting, and the grassroots efforts of concerned faculty, staff and students across campus that have been supported by the University by providing the necessary recycling infrastructure.

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From a FY2006 baseline, potable water consumption per weighted campus user has been reduced by 17.45% while the campus facilities have grown. This increase in water efficiency on campus is due to efforts that include … read more

From a FY2006 baseline, potable water consumption per weighted campus user has been reduced by 17.45% while the campus facilities have grown. This increase in water efficiency on campus is due to efforts that include tray-less dining saving 35,000 gallons of water per week, leak detection, installation of rain sensors, water efficient fixtures, and drip irrigation systems.

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Boston University's Sustainability Committee was established in 2008 with a Steering Committee and four working groups. After developing recommendations to integrated sustainability strategies into the structure and operations of the University, and seeing them integrated, … read more

Boston University's Sustainability Committee was established in 2008 with a Steering Committee and four working groups. After developing recommendations to integrated sustainability strategies into the structure and operations of the University, and seeing them integrated, the Sustainability Committee was no longer necessary and was discontinued. The Communications & Outreach Working Group, however, has continued to meet on a monthly basis, as these needs are constantly evolving. The Boston University Board of Trustees approved the BU Bold Climate Action Plan in December 2017.

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Boston University awards millions of dollars in need-based grants and merit awards to incoming students annually. We strive to ensure that equal opportunity is a reality at Boston University, that our faculty, staff, and students … read more

Boston University awards millions of dollars in need-based grants and merit awards to incoming students annually. We strive to ensure that equal opportunity is a reality at Boston University, that our faculty, staff, and students can work and study in an environment free of unlawful harassment and discrimination, and that the University meets its obligations under federal and state equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations.

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