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Northwestern University

Consortium

As one of the world’s leading academic institutions, Northwestern University recognizes its role in addressing the global challenges of sustainability and climate change. Northwestern University’s strategic plan states that we will “Engage with the world…expanding our impact at home and abroad.” The University’s approach is to immerse our students and faculty in leading environmental curriculum and research and to commit to improving our own carbon footprint.

Northwestern is committed to minimizing our environmental footprint through an emphasis on efficiency and renewable energy. Northwestern’s Energy Retrofit Initiative has allocated over $40 million to energy efficiency projects across our campuses which, when completed, will reduce the University’s energy use by more than 9 percent. And Northwestern currently offsets 50 percent of our energy use with renewable energy certificates (RECs), equating to taking 17,700 cars of the road or growing 2,157,000 trees a year. The University is committed to sustainability in construction and renovations; our last seven major projects have achieved LEED silver or gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

But Northwestern recognizes that the most significant impact that an academic institution can have is through its curriculum and research and through the engagement of its students, faculty, staff, and the communities around them. The Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN) has created focused curriculum and research grants in the critical global topics of sustainability, energy, water, and climate change. Northwestern’s joint effort with Argonne National labs to create the Argonne-Northwestern Solar Research Center (ANSER) and our partnership in initiatives such as the Solar Fuels Initiative (SOFI) and the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) ensure that we are on the forefront of energy and sustainability research.

Top Topics:
  • chicago
  • climate change
  • environmental justice
  • public health
  • community gardens
  • sustainability
  • food
  • urban farming
  • green jobs
  • affordable housing
  • Alternative housing
  • co-ops
  • Community
  • cooperatives
  • heating and cooling
  • low heating bills
  • lower electricity bills
  • multifamily housing
  • utilities
  • air pollution
  • environmental racism
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Susanti Sarkar
Seeger Gray
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Medill News Service
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Kaeoli Sapp
Joyce Li
Ilse von Heimburg
Grant Schwab
Emma Ricketts
Dante Nieto
Christina van Waasbergen
Astry Rodriguez
Adriana Martinez-Smiley
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Stories

Germany and its liquified natural gas issue: “There is no need”
Monica Sager

Northwestern University

What are the arguments made for the case of climate refugees in Germany?
Adriana Martinez-Smiley

Planet Forward Correspondent | Northwestern University

Unpacking the packaging potential of mycelium, the mushroom ‘roots’ of many uses
Kala Menchetti Hunter

Northwestern University

A black jar against a dark grey background rests on two white mycelium blocks
It all starts with no-till
Kala Menchetti Hunter

Northwestern University

Crops grow out of soil that has been left undisturbed prior to the planting process.
Urban Roots at Garfield Park Conservatory teach Chicago teens how to take care of their environment
Adriana Martinez-Smiley

Planet Forward Correspondent | Northwestern University

HUD ruling against Chicago seeks to halt decadeslong trend of environmental racism on city’s South, West sides
Sam Bull

Northwestern University

A factory tower looms behind a chainlink fence. A graffitied speed limit sign stands in the foreground.
Backyards, urban farms, and community gardens across Chicago grow local produce to combat food insecurity
Astry Rodriguez

Planet Forward Correspondent | Northwestern University

A woman stands in a garden wearing a winter coat and holding an orange pumpkin.
Madison housing co-ops aim for energy efficiency
Seeger Gray

Northwestern University

A large white building with solar panels on the roof seen from above.
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