California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

Making progress in the emissions at a university is a challenge and the pandemic offered a glimpse into the reality of the drastic steps needed to reach the carbon neutrality goals set at the campus. With the ability to measure emissions reductions through the pandemic, we have a better understanding of which areas we should pursue to make meaningful reductions. The Class Pass (free student transit pass) initiate was piloted on campus during 2021-2023 to help reduce use of single occupant vehicle travel and encourage use of sustainable transportation modes. The Campus Climate Action Plan is used to compare business as usual versus current emissions. We are currently 9,109 MT CO2e below the business as usual emissions estimates.

The Student Sustainability Coalition launched to unify sustainability related campus clubs and organizations to better collaborate on projects. The ability to create a club under the office has allowed us to engage with more students and support a “learn by doing approach” of sustainable development while cultivating professional development for each student. There are well over 50 students participating each semester during the Coalition’s first year.

Since 1994, the faculty, staff and students of the Lyle Center have remained committed to a future in which all people live with dignity in safe, healthy, and sustainable environments. The program is taught with the belief that this future is best achieved through the development of ecological, social and economic systems that regenerate, enabling communities to provide for the future as well as the present. Located on 16 acres within the Cal Poly Pomona University campus, the vision for the Lyle Center is to be recognized for its collective impact toward a sustainable future, convening diverse groups of students, academic experts, policy makers and community members committed to catalyzing pro-environmental change.
The Lyle Center is administered by the College of Environmental Design and offers a Master of Science in Regenerative Studies (MSRS) as well as a minor program at the undergraduate level. Faculty are drawn from departments across campus, creating a unique interdisciplinary learning environment.