Our Future

Over the past year, dedicated students, faculty and staff have been working to identify the university’s key sustainability priorities and objectives as we continue to strive toward integrating sustainability across all aspects of our research, teaching, operations and engagement work. Below is a glimpse into the draft University Sustainability Objectives and committee level goals as put forth by the University’s Stewardship Committee and working groups. 

1. Create the next generation of globally-minded, sustainably-literate citizens and leaders
2. Integrate sustainability into the fabric of campus culture
3. Develop circular UB economy
4. Mitigate and adapt to the new climate reality
5. Build a resilient and sustainable Buffalo/Niagara region 

• Increase student opportunities to learn and practice the principles of sustainability
• Encourage faculty to integrate sustainability into curriculum by developing flexible modules 
• Provide incentives and support for faculty to develop new sustainability curriculum
• Develop sustainability curricular component requirement for students prior to graduation
• Incorporate concepts of “sustainability” in existing UB research at all levels
• Encourage new research that supports the simultaneous consideration of environmental, economic, and social systems and the long-term viability of these systems.
• Encourage wide dissemination of research outputs to increase research impact

• Create a zero waste economy
• Reduce average energy consumption by 20% by 2020 and achieve climate neutrality  by 2030
• Encourage design excellence and robust, sustainable land use policies
• Use physical infrastructure and operations as a teaching tool for sustainability 

• Build community by setting examples and model desired behaviors
• Communicate values clearly and establish visible presence of sustainable practices
• Provide authentic opportunities for contribution