Campus Initiatives

Latest News

The Office of Sustainability works closely with Facilities, staff, students, and academic departments to support projects that will reduce CSUDH’s environmental impact.

Awards/Recognitions

AASHE STARS Gold Seal

CSUDH has earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in recognition of its sustainability achievements.  CSUDH is the first CSU campus to rise from a Bronze (2018) to a Gold rating (2023) in less than five years. Read more about this achievement.

  • Read President Parham's executive letter to AASHE supporting CSUDH's submittal for Gold here.  

Since the founding of the Office of Sustainability in August 2017, CSUDH has been consistently recognized with multiple awards and distinctions for its efforts:

2024:

  • Metropolitan Water District- One Water Award
    • Innovation: Condensate Recovery Project
  • CSU Facilities Management Conference
    • Energy Best Practice Award: “Heat Pump to Replace Gas Boiler Usage”
  • AASHE 2024 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)
    • Top Performer, Investment & Finance

2023:

  • Campus Race to Zero Waste: Zero Waste/Large Campus Category
    • 1st Place (National Champion)
  • CA Higher Education Collaborative (CHEC) Conference
    • Focus on Efficiency Award: CSU Dominguez Hills Clean Energy Optimization Pilot
  • My Green Building Conference and Expo (MyGBCE)
    • Civic Award: CSUDH - Center for Science + Innovation (LEED-NC v2009)
  • AASHE 2023 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)
    • Top Performer, Investment & Finance

2021:

  • CSU Facilities Management Conference
    • Sustainable Campus Practice: “AASHE STARS, Most-Improved Score”
    • Sustainable Campus Practice: “Energy Usage Reduction due to COVID-Response”
  • AASHE 2021 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)
    • Highlight, Large-Scale Battery Storage

2020:

  • CA Higher Ed Sustainability Conference
    • Sustainable Food Service: “Sustainable Food Systems: Because Everybody Eats”
    • Energy Demand: “How to Get Electrifying Energy and Water Savings through Electrification”

2019:

  • CA Higher Ed Sustainability Conference
    • CSU Sustainability Champion: Ellie Perry, CSUDH Sustainability Coordinator

2018:

  • CA Higher Ed Sustainability Conference
    • Data-driven Communications Campaigns: “Commuter Sustainability Outreach: Inside the Carbon Cube Thinking”
    • Battery Storage: “1MW Battery Storage Installation”

Initiatives and Planning

CSUDH is also a signatory of the President's Climate Leadership commitment for carbon, and is aiming for carbon neutrality of scope 1-3 emissions by 2045.

View our Annual Sustainability Report for an overview of our accomplishments and projects from the year:

One of its primary goals is to drive the university's progress towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water, and waste impacts.

  • Net Zero Carbon: Achieve carbon neutrality for all scope 1 and 2 as well as non-commute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and full carbon neutrality for scopes 1-3 by 2045.
  • Net Zero Energy: Improve the energy efficiency of campus facilities and increase renewable energy generation with the goal of achieving a net zero energy bill and scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality for the campus by 2040.
  • Net Zero Waste: Strive for the highest possible diversion rate to non-landfill sources with the goal of becoming a zero waste campus by 2045.  Reducing waste volume overall by integrating source reduction approaches into campus operations.
  • Net Zero Water: Only consuming water, regardless of source, appropriate to the natural water balance of our region.  

This type of effort requires significant education and engagement. The Office of Sustainability also supports CSUDH's mission as an educational institution by working to support faculty and students in integrating sustainability into all facets of the university, including academics. As a result, CSUDH’s campus sustainability projects tend to fall into one of eight major categories:

Check out the appropriate sub-page above to find out more about resources, initiatives, and progress in each of these categories.

Campus Buildings:

In accordance with California State University Sustainability Policy, as of 2014 all new building construction on campus meets or exceeds the minimum requirements equivalent to LEED Silver.  Current equivalency and/or external certification to LEED for CSUDH's campus buildings are as follows:   

BuildingLEED Equivalency Level?LEED Certification Status?
Innovation and Instruction (INI)GoldN/A
Science and Innovation (SCI)Platinum (solar added after formal certification)Gold
Housing Phase IIIGoldN/A
Classroom VillageSilverN/A
  • CSUDH Green Cleaning Policy (2025) [PDF]:  All stateside buildings serviced by Custodial follows a Green Cleaning Policy compliant with EQp v. 4.1 LEED O&M requirements, and prioritizes cleanliness to APPA standards while using green cleaning chemicals and best practices to minimize negative impacts on occupants and the environment. 


Other Programs:

  • Green Office/Lab Program:  The CSUDH Office of Sustainability supports a Green Office/Lab Program that recognizes and supports departments, offices, and laboratories in their sustainable practices while on campus.  Flyer with instructions for how to sign up for a walkthrough to begin the process here [PDF].
    • Within the Green Office/Lab Program there are also additional recognition tracks including certification pathways and team challenges:
      • Green Events
      • Sustainability Challenge
      • Paperless Challenge 
      • Green Labs Certification (labs only)
    • All challenges and certifications come with their own perks and recognitions.  Schedule a walkthrough via the Interest Form to get started!

CSUDH Sustainability on Instagram: