In 2015, Ohio State adopted eight specific, university-wide sustainability goals to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable operations while advancing improved behavioral and cultural changes. Through these goals, Ohio State aims to make sustainability an integral part of being a Buckeye.
As a leading public research university, Ohio State is leveraging our campus resources to explore cleaner energy sources and solve sustainability challenges in Ohio and around the world. Meeting the university’s sustainability goals requires the efforts of numerous units across campus, including Facilities Operations and Development; Transportation and Traffic Management; Planning, Architecture and Real Estate; Student Life; Athletics; and Wexner Medical Center.
Current goal achievement summary (through 2024)
37% carbon emission reduction (since 2015 baseline)
13.1% more energy efficient (since 2015 baseline)
16.2% more water efficient (since 2015 baseline) and 3.2% more water efficient (since 2020 baseline)
15% ecosystem services improvement (since 2020 baseline)
3.2% decrease in carbon emissions per 1,000 miles driven (since 2016 baseline)
41% landfill waste diversion rate
Additional achievement highlights (through 2024)
229 million gallon decrease in annual water usage since 2015
15,936 trees on the Columbus campus
20.1% of university fleet vehicles run on electric/alternative fuel
Resources
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's Sustainability Report
The campus community can participate in helping to achieve these goals through sustainable actions in campus buildings and on campus grounds. Additional actions, such as those listed here for college students, could help area sustainability efforts in any location.


Energy Efficiency
Increase university building energy efficiency by 25%, by 2025

Water Efficiency
Reduce potable water consumption by 10% per capita every five years.

Ecosystem Services
Increase Ecosystem Services Index Score to 85% by 2025

Fleet Footprint
Reduce carbon footprint of university fleet per thousand miles traveled by 25% by 2025

Zero Waste
Achieve zero waste by 2025 by diverting 90% of waste away from landfills

Food Sourcing
Increase production and purchase of locally and sustainably sourced food to 40% by 2025

Environmentally Preferred Products
Develop university-wide standards for targeted environmentally preferred products and fully implement preferable products and services by 2025