Pitt earns platinum Sustainable Pittsburgh Workplace designation

Sustainable Pittsburgh has for the first time recognized sustainable workplaces in the city and Pitt has earned the Platinum distinction, the highest level of achievement.

The Sustainable Pittsburgh Workplace recognizes any business, nonprofit or other organization that has demonstrated a commitment to environmental, social and governance performance.

Workplaces were evaluated across a range of categories and actions including carbon reduction; diversity, equity, and inclusion; resource conservation; responsible sourcing; and product design.

“Pitt is actively involved in sustainability initiatives and practices across disciplines, domains, and scales — including a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2037,” said Aurora Sharrard, executive director of sustainability. “Pitt is earning a strong reputation for its culture of sustainability across the nation because of the university’s business operations, research collaborations, fostering of vibrant student groups, and commitment to master planning.”

In 2021, the University of Pittsburgh’s two main dining halls (The Eatery and The Perch at Sutherland) renewed their Gold designations under the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants program and the Cathedral Cafe and Schenley Cafe earned Silver Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant designations for the first time.

The other workplaces earning recognition were Allegheny County, Downtown Campus, Gold level, and Trademark Threads, Silver level.

Pitt Sustainability Awards

Nominations are open through Feb. 24 for three sustainability awards given to students, staff and faculty.

Pitt Sustainability Awards are given out to Pitt faculty, staff, students and groups who make an extraordinary impact on campus sustainability. These individuals or groups have demonstrated their impact in one or more categories of the Pitt Sustainability Plan (Stewardship, Exploration, and/or Community and Culture) via initiatives, leadership and talents that contribute to a thriving culture of sustainability at Pitt.

Erika Ninos Student Sustainability Leadership Award: Being awarded for the first time in 2023, the Erika Ninos Student Sustainability Leadership Award will be awarded to one Pitt student annually who has demonstrated significant, exemplary and consistent leadership and dedication to advancing sustainability at the University. Eligible students should be nominated if they have individually started, significantly improved, or changed a program.

Student Sustainability Champions: Nominees include undergraduate and graduate students who are graduating in 2023. Since 2021, Pitt has recognized graduating students for dedicating considerable time and talents to advance Sustainability efforts across campus, in the community, and beyond. Eligible nominees include undergraduate or graduate students graduating in the calendar year in which they are nominated.