Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability

CU Boulder serves as the host institution for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability. The Elective Classification for Sustainability is designed to recognize and celebrate higher education institutions that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and climate action as integral to their academic missions. This classification provides a rigorous framework for assessing and advancing sustainability efforts in curriculum, research, operations, and community engagement.

Why the classification matters

Higher education institutions play a critical role in addressing global challenges, including climate change and resource sustainability. The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability highlights and supports institutional efforts to lead in these areas by fostering innovation, collaboration, and measurable progress toward a more sustainable future. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education (ACE) developed this classification to support thriving, sustainable communities for current and future generations. These efforts are culturally, regionally, and contextually informed.

The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability aims to:

• Recognize excellence: Highlight institutions that integrate sustainability into their core academic missions and campus practices
• Encourage innovation: Foster creative solutions to sustainability challenges through research, teaching, and community engagement
• Promote access: Ensure accessibility for all institutions, including those with fewer resources, by offering adaptable criteria and support
• Foster collaboration: Build on existing frameworks, such as AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System, to align efforts and maximize impact.

For more information visit: Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability | Sustainability | University of Colorado Boulder