George Washington University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

At the local level, GW actively works alongside a highly engaged higher education sector within the District through the DC Mayor's College and University Sustainability Pledge (CUSP) Network. The Mayor's CUSP pledge was signed by the GW President and it promotes programs, policies, and projects aimed at advancing environmental, economic, and social equity in the District of Columbia. Members of CUSP meet regularly with representatives from DC government to shape and support legislation and policy.

In addition, GW is represented on the Green Building Advisory Council. GW's representative was appointed by the DC Mayor in 2022. GBAC monitors the District's compliance with relevant green building requirements and makes recommendations on green building policies. The GBAC is comprised of representatives from District government agencies and volunteer (unpaid) representatives from the private and non-profit sectors who live or work in the District.

At the regional level, GW works alongside educational institutions in the region through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (the Consortium). Most recently, GW has been able to advocate for Building Energy Performance Standard university compliance carve outs and pathways unique to a campus setting as well as participate in working groups with other universities and DC government to determine how universities will help achieve Sustainable DC goals through legislation and partnership.

GW is also an active partner in Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists to advance regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

At the national level, GW is a partner in the EPA's Green Power Partnership (GPP), which seeks to increase demand for green power by working with organizations and communities across the United States to access, choose, and use green power. By using green power, EPA Partners can help reduce the effects of air pollution and emissions associated with conventional electricity use while supporting the domestic development of clean energy resources. As of April 2023, GW was ranked 22nd on the GPP's list of Top 30 Colleges and Universities. GW's leadership and engagement with the GPP helps to advance the American market for green power.

In addition, the George Washington Solar Institute (GWSI) has built a strong reputation as a leading source of knowledge, analysis, research and networking on clean energy trends and policy. GWSI identifies, generates, and shares pragmatic policy solutions to catalyze the adoption and scale of zero carbon energy innovations for power generation and storage.

The GWSI conducts objective analysis, research and networking to advance and highlight politically attuned policies, educates a rising generation eager to contribute to a sustainable future, and collaborates with thought leaders, influential stakeholders, and decision makers. Its insights and partnerships promote innovative new public policies, regulatory approaches, and government investments that will enable solar energy to reach its full potential for creating jobs, replacing fossil fuels, and realizing a sustainable energy future.

At the international level, GW sponsored a delegation to COP27 and led a session focused on “Eco-Smart Inclusive Governance.” The session described a path forward where stakeholders work in concert along common climate goals and resource mobilization at the grass-roots level, such as the student climate movement at The George Washington University. The event was of great significance to enhanced technology cooperation and US-based institutions with developing countries to enable replication and scalability.