The Catholic University of America is committed to sustainability.

The Catholic University of America has a legacy of committed and active leadership in sustainability at the local, national, and international levels. At Catholic University we have turned our commitments into actions that are visible across campus, from academics to community engagement to our buildings and grounds, resulting in recognition from a wide variety of organizations focused on sustainability.

• Green Ribbon School

  Catholic University was named a U.S. Department of Education 2024 Green Ribbon School in recognition of our commitment to improving the environmental well-being of our campus and the greater community.

• Princeton Review

  For the fifth year in a row, Catholic University was included in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition based on the University's sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs.

   

• College Consensus

  College Consensus ranked Catholic University 21st on a list of the Best Green Colleges in the United States, in recognition of Catholic U’s embrace of renewable energy.

• AASHE STARS

  Catholic University earned an Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS Silver rating in 2022.

  Additionally, Catholic University was recognized in AASHE's 2024 Sustainable Campus Index as the 10th Top Performer in the Energy category.

• League of American Bicyclists

  The League of American Bicyclists presented Catholic University with a 2023 bronze-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of our actions to address the health and environmental challenges facing America by creating campuses more welcoming to people who bike.

   

• Arbor Day Foundation

  The Catholic University of America was honored with a 2023 Tree Campus Higher Education® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

• Clean Energy DC

  Catholic University received the 2024 Clean Energy DC Award from the District of Columbia in recognition of the development of the West Campus Solar Project.

• DC CUSP

  Catholic University is a signatory to the District of Columbia Mayor’s College and University Sustainability Pledge (CUSP). This university-based collaborative approach to sustainability was the first of its kind in the nation. Working together in this public/private partnership, the signatories are working to make the District of Columbia the “Greenest College Town in America.”

• Laudato Si Action Platform

  In November 2021, the Catholic University of America became one of the first universities in the world to sign onto a new Vatican initiative, the Laudato Si' Action Platform. Inspired by the 2015 encyclical on care for creation, Laudato Si', CatholicU is committing to a Laudato Si' plan for environmental sustainability.

• Better Buildings

  In August 2019, Catholic University became a member of the Better Buildings Alliance, a U.S. Department of Energy program dedicated to promoting leadership in energy innovation. Catholic U also joined the program's Better Buildings Challenge to reduce the University's energy consumption.