Collaborative Catalysts

The BU Sustainability team works with hundreds of students, faculty, and staff annually. As part of this work, we host events, programs, and activities across all three campuses.

Earth Day 365

BU Sustainability launched a new event series for Spring, “Earth Day 365.” Earth Day 365 brings the University community together through a series of events highlighting the importance of protecting our planet every day. Held from March 18 to April 27, the initial series included over 35 events across all three campuses, hosted by over 20 groups, including student organizations, departments, and programs. Of note, BU Sustainability, along with the Office of the Senior Diversity Officer, the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, and the Institute for Global Sustainability, hosted a lecture and film screening with David Shane Lowry, Ph.D. on the intersectionality of climate justice and American Indian (Indigenous) experience in the United States, and how colleges and Universities such as Boston University have played a role in that.

After the initial success of Earth Day 365, BU Sustainability will continue this event series in 2024.

Sustainable Athletics

To increase engagement with Terrier Athletics fans, BU Sustainability has collaborated with BU Athletics on events to promote the importance of climate action in sports. During the annual “Lax-a-palooza” event, BU Athletics integrated Zero Waste infrastructure and incorporated sustainability messaging during both games. With over 1,200 fans, this Zero Waste event achieved a 75% diversion rate.

Boston University hosted the first-ever Save Pond Hockey events in the United States in November and December at Agganis and Walter Brown Arenas. Save Pond Hockey is an international organization that helps unite the global hockey community around climate action and raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on pond hockey. Over the course of these two games, BU Sustainability, BU Athletics, Agganis Arena, and Save Pond Hockey were able to engage with over 6,000 fans.

BU Cycle Kitchen

Located at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Babcock Street, the BU Cycle Kitchen opened in September. Often referred to as the BUCK, it offers members of the BU Community a bike repair, bike repair education, and gathering space. Unlike a traditional bike shop, there is little sold at the BUCK. Instead, its staff guides community members on how to fix their bikes and get around Boston safely on two wheels. This includes providing community members with lights, bells, and helmets and getting their bike officially registered at BU. The BUCK also offers regular weekly commuter coffee, group rides, and other events.

Sustainability Festival

In the fall, BU Sustainability welcomes student organizations, programs, and community groups to our annual fall Sustainability Festival. Two events are hosted, one at the BU Medical Campus and another on the Charles River Campus. In 2023, 43 groups and organizations participated in the festivals.

An Office on the Medical Campus

To better support our Medical Campus community, BU Sustainability now has an office in the Robinson Building. BU Sustainability staff are there on a weekly basis and are available to meet with faculty, staff, and students on the medical campus to help provide guidance, strategy, and assistance for the unique sustainability challenges faced in a medical facility. In addition, BU Sustainability hosted multiple “Coffee & Conversation” events to engage directly with Medical Campus faculty and staff.

Sustainability Liaisons

Across campus, over 95 departmental & programmatic representatives are championing sustainability practices. Sustainability Liaisons work with their colleagues to promote environmentally friendly behaviors in their workspaces. Liaisons refer staff and faculty to our Green Department and Green Office Certification programs. The certifications allow individuals and groups to evaluate their impact and set goals for sustainable action in the workplace.

Seed Grant Funding

In partnership with Innovate@BU, BU Sustainability offers the annual Sustainability Innovation Seed Grant program. This program provides initial funding for students interested in developing a program, initiative, or startup that aligns with BU’s Climate Action Plan and relates to one or more of the topics of climate change resilience, emissions and energy, education and engagement, environmental justice, or zero waste. In 2023, seven projects were funded.

Environmental Leadership Network

Students across the University participate in over 30 sustainability-related student organizations. In addition, BU Sustainability staff regularly work with these organizations and their leaders as part of the Environmental Leadership Network.

Resident Sustainability Leaders

Resident Sustainability Leaders continue to play a key role in engaging Warren Towers and West Campus residents around sustainability. These student leaders host sustainability-related activities several times a semester, have weekly tablings in the residential communities, provide residents with tools to live more environmentally friendly lives and find ways for students to engage in climate action work. In addition, Resident Sustainability Leaders work closely and collaborate with Residence Life, RAs, and Hall Councils.

Growing our Data Team

In July 2023, Gabrielle Brewer joined as the Sustainability Analyst. Gabrielle works on analytical initiatives that advance Boston University’s sustainability goals. She is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and managing the integrity of the data related to the University’s Climate Action and Zero Waste Plans. Gabrielle also supports the reporting for BU’s greenhouse gas inventory, STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System), and BERDO (Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance). This new position illustrates Boston University’s commitment to data analysis and integrating data analysis into sustainability operations.