Climate Action at the U

• 29% increase in faculty with climate-related publications or grants.
• 35 undergraduate research projects mentored through the Wilkes Scholars Program.
• Launched Critical Minerals Working Group, PEAK Water Sustainability Engine, and continued support for Wildfire and Energy Futures research initiatives.

The Wilkes Center leverages the University of Utah’s unique position and environment to drive world-class research on climate change forecasting, impacts, and solutions and places this science in the hands of decision-makers. Drawing on multidisciplinary centers of excellence at the University of Utah, the Wilkes Center strives for practical, integrative, and solutions-oriented research that can translate into policy around climate extremes, including wildfire and drought, air quality, natural ecosystems, carbon and water cycling, human environment and health. The Center is fostering educational and research training programs that support climate innovation and developing a new generation of solution-oriented leaders. 

https://wilkescenter.utah.edu/ 

The Office of the Vice President for Research supports climate-related innovation and discovery through internal funding, pre-award support and several research hubs and working groups.  

https://www.research.utah.edu/ 

The U.S.-Canada Center on Climate-Resilient Western Interconnected Grid (WIRED Global Center) is the premier hub for research, innovation and workforce development in the field of power grid resilience amid climate disturbances. The WIRED Global Center brings together leading experts in power engineering, climate, forestry, data, policy and social sciences to redefine and innovate grid resilience against extreme weather disturbances.

https://resilience.utah.edu

• 70% of departments offered sustainability (SUST) courses, up from 65% in 2022.
• 4,500 participants engaged in 77 events via the Sustainability Office, in partnership with 16 departments and student groups.
• $89,467 awarded through the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF).

Human alteration of Earth's climate is an accepted scientific fact. As the impacts of climate change become more severe over the coming years and decades, companies, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations will be required to adapt and respond to climate change. Scientifically-based, up-to-date knowledge is essential to formulating adaption and response strategies, and the University of Utah’s certificate in Climate Change will provide you with this knowledge. The program curriculum provides students with cutting-edge training, with courses covering local and global climate systems, geography, and ecology. In earning the certificate, students will understand the fundamentals of climate systems and the scientific background of climate change, equipping them to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies for dealing with climate change. 

https://advising.utah.edu/majors/quick-look/climate-change.php 

The Office for Sustainability Education empowers students, employees, and the broader community through education, engagement, and collaborative action to build a sustainable future. Through its programs, events, and funding opportunities, the office works to integrate sustainability into curricula across the university, expand sustainability learning opportunities beyond the classroom, connect students and employees to sustainability resources and support success and well-being for all. 

https://sustainability.utah.edu/ 

Every three years, the U takes a comprehensive look at sustainability across the institution using STARS: a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.  

https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/university-of-utah-ut/report/ 

• Despite 19% growth in campus size, carbon footprint reduced by 22.4% since 2007.
• Launched Campus Emissions Reduction Plan targeting high-temperature hot water systems.
• Castle Solar PPA now supplies ~20% of the University’s purchased electricity.

Located within Facilities, the Sustainability & Energy team promotes energy efficiency and reduced energy costs, supports reduction of water consumption, identifies improvements in utility usage and costs and leads the U’s work toward carbon neutrality. 

https://facilities.utah.edu/se/ 

University of Utah Health develops sustainable approaches to care that meet the health needs of people today and future generations. We are committed to providing compassionate care in the most environmentally sound ways possible, preparing our facilities and care providers to be resilient in the face of climate-related changes and events, and empowering future health care providers with education and research on sustainable health care. 

https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/sustainability 

The U uses an online carbon-accounting platform called SIMAP® (Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform) to publicly report, track, analyze, and improve campus-wide greenhouse gas emissions. The platform is updated annually by Facilities Sustainability & Energy. 

https://unhsimap.org/public/institution/1250 

• Established Region VIII Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response.
• Developed UU Health Climate Resilience Plan with community and government partners.
• Replaced 139,000 sq ft of turf with water-wise landscaping.

As part of the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments, the U has pledged to provide knowledge, research, practice and informed graduates to create a positive and sustainable future. This includes working toward zero emissions and building resilience to climate impacts. In 2021, the U completed its first Climate Resilience Assessment, establishing and gathering baseline data for 43 resilience metrics across 5 categories.  

Read the report. 

View the in-depth Resilience Matrix.