Time to register for courses? Consider taking sustainability courses or courses that include sustainability! The Office of Sustainability tracks these courses for the University.
Office of Sustainability
Updates
The Office of Sustainability will have variable in-person hours for the indefinite future, but is open virtually during normal business hours. Please subscribe to our for monthly updates or email sustainability@ohio.edu with questions.
What is Sustainability
ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú defines sustainability as the capacity to simultaneously benefit people, the planet and prosperity now and in the future. Life-cycle analysis, life-cycle costing, social financial proxies, and multi-criteria decision analyses are tools that are used to evaluate sustainability. Also used at ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú is a popular but less actionable definition, adapted from the Bruntland definition of sustainable development: sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Mission
ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú’s Office of Sustainability facilitates the implementation of the ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú Sustainability and Climate Action Plan by providing services and support to the campus community and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being.
Give $25, Get an Acorn
This year for Giving Day (April 9), we're giving a Red Oak acorn from a College Green tree to anyone who donates $25 to the Office of Sustainability.
News and Announcements
Secondhand Style, First-Class Impact: Move...
August 27, 2025
Join us for a two-day sustainability-focused event invites students, faculty, and the local community to explore an eclectic mix of secondhand treasures while supporting local organizations and promoting eco-conscious living.
The buzz around campus: OHIO remains polli...
August 25, 2025
A vast majority of the world’s plants depend on pollinators. Pollination is a crucial part of plant reproduction, and without pollinators, humans and all of earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive, according to the .
Through sustainable management of campus grounds, ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú remains committed to protecting and providing environments for vital pollinator species. OHIO recently received the designation for a fourth straight year. Bee Campus USA provides a framework for university and college campus communities to work together to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites and reducing the use of pesticides.
Composting diverts organic waste, provides...
June 26, 2025
Composting is a simple, cheap and effective way to reduce methane emissions and divert waste from landfills all while creating a nutrient-dense soil. The act of turning food scraps and other organic material into a useful product protects the environment, empowers people to think about the waste they produce and creates resilient communities.
Recent OHIO Honors Tutorial College environmental studies graduate Catherine Galla discusses composting accessibility and awareness.
Upcoming Events
Monday, September 15
12:00 PM — 1:00 PM
Alumni Gate
Wednesday, October 15
7:00 PM — 9:00 PM
Athena Cinema
Wednesday, October 29
7:00 PM — 9:00 PM
Athena Cinema
Office of Sustainability Featured Programs
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Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors
The Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors program is an initiative of the Sustainable Administration Hub. The Ambassadors are an energetic and enthusiastic group of students who assist in the implementation of the ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. You can find them leading the Earth Day Sustainability Parade; instructing Bobcats fans on proper disposal of game day waste; teaching in the local middle schools; labeling our storm drains with "drains to river" markers; and more!
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Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP)
The Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP) is a sustainability certification program which aims to recognize departments or offices across campus for their sustainable efforts, whether they be existing practices or new changes.
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Sustainability Project Laboratory
Students, do you need an idea for a course project or thesis? Faculty, are you looking for project ideas for a project-based course? Our Sustainability Project Laboratory may have the projects you are looking for! These projects are designed to advance goals in the ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú Sustainability & Climate Action Plan while providing experiential and/or community-engaged learning opportunties for students.
Sustainability Hubs
We welcome participants to our Sustainability Hubs! The dates and topics for the Hub Seminar Series can be found on the . For more information, please or visit our Hub webpages. For other sustainability events, please visit the , and search using the keyword "sustainability."