What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is generally defined as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It involves making decisions that preserve the values of environmental, economic, and social responsibility.

What does this mean for KU?

Environmental sustainability has emerged as a major concern facing large institutions such as the University of Kansas. Sustainability is now a critical filter with which to evaluate the function of operations ranging from energy use to waste management, including both the built and natural environment. As an institution of higher education, the University of Kansas is poised to make a significant contribution to a sustainable future for our campus, our community, and beyond.

The University's pursuit of a sustainable future means new opportunities for cross-curricular learning and research along with more responsible operations on campus - environmentally, financially, and socially. Through the development of research teams, student research projects, service learning courses, and a campus-wide network of sustainability ambassadors, the Center for Sustainability will work with the campus community to find collaborative solutions to the environmental and economic challenges facing our campus - and the global community - both now and in the future.