Campus Sustainability

Through education, research, and operations, U-M is taking action on climate and innovating toward sustainability.

• Our educational programs encourage environmental literacy and inspire students to become lifelong sustainability advocates, personally and professionally.

• Our research programs draw on our commitment to the public good and our knowledge across disciplines to address major sustainability challenges, locally and globally.

• Our operations push toward carbon neutrality, setting an example for others who wish to do the same, and using our campus as a living-learning laboratory.

Combined efforts in these three areas represent our institutional commitment to sustainability, known as Planet Blue. As a visitor on campus, you’ll experience a range of benefits that stem from Planet Blue, including:

• Pollinator gardens, native prairies, and tree plantings across campus that create a healthy, beautiful outdoor environment.

• Student-grown food from the Farm Stand, a collaboration between our Campus Farm and Sustainable Food Program that offers fresh produce and education about local food systems to the campus community.

• Campus waste solutions like composting bins, recycling bins, and 400+ water bottle filling stations across campus.

• Hybrid-electric buses that encourage commuting and result in less air pollution and fuel consumption.

Climate Action

Carbon neutrality is achieved when all quantifiable greenhouse gas emissions are eliminated or offset by investments in carbon credits or sequestration projects. In May 2021, U-M committed to achieving carbon neutrality in alignment with international science-based guidelines. This ongoing effort spans the Dearborn, Flint and Ann Arbor campuses, Michigan Medicine, and Athletics.