Overview

Academic and research integration is a cornerstone of sustainability efforts at Loyola. It is our societal obligation and commitment to our students that they graduate with a deep understanding of environmental issues and their personal responsibilities to respond.

• 64% of academic departments offer at least one sustainability course
• 19.5% of students graduate with a degree that comes with a sustainability-related learning outcome in its core requirements
• 81% of academic departments have a sustainability researcher
• 10.8% of researchers incorporate sustainability into their research

Learn more about Loyola's sustainability-related academic programs.

Involvement in sustainability initiatives is ingrained in our campus culture with students, faculty, and staff as part of our Ignatian spirituality to seek God in all things, including the natural world.

• 57% of students are engaged through sustainability outreach and programs
• Over 5,800 hours in 2020 were dedicated to peer-to-peer sustainability outreach
• All incoming students are provided the opportunity to participate in sustainability-related activities
• 36% of students are involved in over 370K hours of community service
• Student-led sustainability campaigns at Loyola include UnCap LUC, Plastic-Free LUC, Sustainability Investment Policy, and the Green Graduation Pledge
• 98% of all employees are reached by a sustainability program

Learn more about how our community takes action across campus.

Loyola pushes the boundaries of how campuses can shrink energy footprints. We are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025 through our massive conservation efforts, renewable energy installations, and living green roofs.

• 64% GHG emissions reduction (per weighted campus user) and 31% energy reduction (per gross square foot) from our 2008 baseline 
• 59% of students are engaged through sustainability outreach and programs
• Loyola was recognized again in 2020 for its leadership in sustainable electronics purchasing
• 84% of students and 64% of employees use a mode of sustainable transportation to commute to campus
• Loyola conducts an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions every year
• 23% of food purchases come from plant-based foods
• Almost 90% of the campus grounds are managed organically, without additional chemical pesticide or fertilizer
• Loyola has reduced water use by 15.6% (per weighted campus user) from our 2008 baseline (reduced 21% when considering per gross square foot)

Learn more about the campus initiatives reducing our carbon footprint.

Loyola’s Sustainability Committee consists of students, staff, and faculty working together to guide sustainability efforts on campus and oversee the implementation of the Climate Action Plan.

• 56% complete toward our 2025 carbon neutrality goal due to high-performing facilities, energy efficient projects, and the purchase of clean energy
• Loyola has measurable sustainability goals for curriculum, engagement, operations, diversity and inclusion

Learn more about Loyola's global and local commitments to action.