ASU named global leader in sustainability, earning top marks in 2025 STARS report
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education highlights university's new sustainability requirement

By Marshall Terrill , ASU News
September 9, 2025

Arizona State University has earned national recognition as a trailblazer in sustainability, standing out as one of the most innovative colleges shaping a greener future, according to an annual publication that spotlighted ASU for its bold commitment to environmental progress and measurable results.

In the just-released Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, or STARS, from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, ASU was rated as a “top performer” in its 2025 Sustainable Campus Index on Tuesday. 

The university also earned a Premium STARS rating and special callout for the institution’s three-credit sustainability general education requirement.

It’s the kind of recognition that highlights ASU’s global leadership and commitment to holistic planetary transformation, according to a top ASU executive.

“This rating is a reflection of ASU’s dedication to innovation and advancing a sustainable future for all,” said Peter Schlosser, vice president and vice provost of global futures and director of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. “Our impact is demonstrated across the board, from success in training future generations to be change-makers to improving facilities and implementing solutions-oriented action. We are committed to adapt, evolve and lead. We are committed to continued investment in all aspects of sustainability to improve the long-term well-being of people and our planet.”

The STARS rating follows on the heels of June’s Times Higher Education ranking, which named the university the No. 1 institution in the U.S. and among the top 10 worldwide for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Since 2015, the Sustainable Campus Index has celebrated and recognized colleges and universities that are setting the standard for sustainability, honoring top performers by country, institution type and across 13 key areas of impact.

With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, the STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

The index put ASU in the top 10 worldwide for six “impact areas” of the assessment: No. 2 in energy and climate; No. 2 in doctoral and research institutions; No. 4 in transportation; No. 4 in investment; No. 6 in research; and No. 7 in procurement and waste.

ASU was also rated by STARS as a top-performing university, with a 91.1 overall score.

Morgan R. Olsen, executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer at ASU, said sustainability is a strategic priority and core value that drives how ASU educates, innovates and operates.

“AASHE’s continued recognition of ASU as a top performer highlights the collective commitment of our students, faculty and staff to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our institution as we constantly aspire to become a more fully sustainable university,” Olsen said. “By embedding sustainable practices across campus, we’re creating long-term value for the university and the communities we serve and preparing our students to lead in a world where sustainability is essential to progress and impact.”

Creating new learning pathways to equip future generations with the tools they’ll need is imperative in a rapidly changing world, said Miki Kittilson, dean of the College of Global Futures.

“At ASU, we are reimagining education for impact,” said Kittilson, who is also a professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies. “At the College of Global Futures, we are creating pathways for students to pursue careers that drive real, lasting change.”

This story originally appeared on ASU News.