Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

Founding Year: 2006

Staff: 18

Budget: ~$2.3m (2017)

Meghan Fay Zahniser (Executive Director)

It seeks to “empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation” by enabling institutions “to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.”  It also conducts an annual Higher Education Sustainability Review highlighting the achievements of >60 institutions worldwide. It sponsors STARS (Sustainable Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) to measure sustainable performance, organizes the annual Sustainability Awards, and holds conferences.

Projects:

Education and Events:

  • Conference & Expo – An annual event that with about ~2,000 participants to exchange effective models, policies, research, collaborations and transformative actions.
  • Workshops – Provide hands-on training and skill-building for sustainability leaders
  • Webinars – Allows AASHE members to learn about and share approaches for advancing sustainability.

Publications:

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Aggregating Higher Education Demand for Renewables: A Primer (2018, 15p.) – This publication highlights the benefits of aggregating energy demands to source renewable energies by describing best practices for pursuing group.
  • The Sustainable Campus Index – An annual report highlighting the most sustainable colleges and universities in 17 impact areas and overall by institution type, as measured by STARS. See the 2018 edition (80p.)

No items found

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals


  • SDG 1 - No Poverty
    Calls for an end to poverty globally by 2030 and promotes increased access to basic services and social protection.
    View archive
  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    Aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
    View archive
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well Being
    Aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, by reducing mortality rates and increasing access to equitable health care for men and women.
    View archive
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
    Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
    View archive
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    Aims to end gender discrimination in all forms and promote equal opportunity for all women and girls in terms of education, career, and sexual/reproductive rights.
    View archive
  • SDG 6 -Clean Water and Sanitisation
    Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by promoting global access to adequate sanitation and hygiene.
    View archive
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by promoting affordable and reliable energy sources.
    View archive
  • SDG 8 -Decent Work and Economic Growth
    Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
    View archive
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
    Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.  
    View archive
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
    Aims to achieve economic growth by reducing inequalities regarding social, economic and political opportunities and freedoms.
    View archive
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    Aims to promote the globalization of sustainable cities and communities in turn providing universal safe and affordable housing.
    View archive
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    Aims to create responsible and sustainable practices involving consumption and production through efficiently using natural resources.
    View archive
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
    Calls to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts through global awareness, education, and integration into government policies.
    View archive
  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    Calls to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and prevent and reduce marine pollution in order to protect ecosystems and achieve healthy oceans.
    View archive
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land
    Aims to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
    View archive
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    Aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Calls to reduce all forms of violence and deaths related to violence and to end abuse and exploitation
    View archive
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    Aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development by mobilizing domestic resources in order to provide support for developing countries.
    View archive

Related Content

An independent, non-profit organization with a mission to challenge current and future leaders to shape a better world. The organization runs various programs and residencies, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds….

It prevents the spread of online hate and disinformation through research, public campaigns, and policy advocacy. It aims to persuade big tech companies to cease providing services to individuals who…

A non-profit organization working to protect wildlife and natural areas, ensure clean air and water for all and address the devastating effects of climate change. It also publishes Sierra, a…