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University of Notre Dame Sustainability Strategy

Notre Dame sustainability: Yellow flower, solar panels, Duncan Student Center, person sorting food waste, green roofs.

2026 marks a decade since Notre Dame published its original Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy on the heels of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. While we continue our ongoing work, we are taking this moment to recognize key achievements, many of which occur behind the scenes and are not evident to the everyday Notre Dame community member.

We invite you to review the history of our strategy that has led us to our achievements so far.

Check back with us as we add achievements that elevate the complex, difficult work of campus operators who strive each day to create a campus community that exemplifies Pope Francis' call to Care for Our Common Home. Notable areas of progress include decarbonization, green roofs, food waste diversion, and the built environment.

Decarbonization

Infographic: Over 10 years, Notre Dame's campus building square footage increased 22% (from 3 to 7 icons) while annual carbon emissions decreased 25% (from 7 to 3 CO2 clouds).

Over the last 10 years, despite the campus' physical footprint growing by 22 percent, the University has decreased its annual carbon emissions by 25 percent! This has been achieved through the consistent dedication of team members in Facilities Design & Operations, who have been at the helm of powering Notre Dame while continuing to upgrade and develop our campus.

Learn more:

Highlighting progress: Sustainability data demonstrates a year of achievements

See how Notre Dame is working to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

LEED Buildings

Infographic: 17 Notre Dame buildings earned LEED Silver or Gold certifications. Total of 26 LEED-certified buildings.

Since 2008, Notre Dame has been committed to constructing campus buildings to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the leading globally recognized standard for sustainable architecture awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. In the last decade, 17 buildings earned LEED Silver or LEED Gold certification, bringing the campus total to 26 LEED-certified buildings! Examples include:

  • Morris Inn, LEED certification: Gold
  • Duncan Student Center, LEED certification: Gold

  • Compton Family Ice Arena, LEED certification: Silver

Learn more:

See the complete list of LEED-certified buildings on campus

See how Notre Dame is addressing its impact through building & construction efforts

Infographics show green roofs covering 212,000 sq ft, like 3.5 football fields.

Green Roofs

Green roof infrastructure on campus has greatly expanded in the last decade. Currently, Notre Dame cares for over 212,000 square feet of green roofs across ten campus buildings—an area the size of approximately 3.5 football fields! They host numerous benefits that add longevity to a building’s roof over a traditional membrane roof, including protection from ultraviolet radiation, thermal shock, and standard weathering. The layer of soil and vegetation aids in insulating buildings, which saves money and energy from heating and cooling efforts. Living roofs are also helpful in supporting local pollinator populations and diverting stormwater runoff to help prevent flooding events.

Learn more:

ND Works Podcast: Green roofs at Notre Dame with Tony Polotto

Green roofs continue to grow across campus skyline

See how Notre Dame is Addressing Its Impact Through Building & Construction Efforts

Strategy Overview

Following the teachings of our Catholic tradition and mission, and further inspired by the late Pope Francis, the Executive Vice President’s Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy Committee was convened to assess our current sustainability practices and promote the future protection of God’s creation at Notre Dame.

Dark blue background with text that says "together, caring for our common home" with a green squiggle line below it. The Notre Dame academic mark sits below the green squiggle line.

The following highlights key milestones leading up to and since the Committee was formed:

A more detailed decarbonization timeline is also available.

Small Working Groups were assembled to support the key focus areas within the Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy. These working group members developed goals and recommendations to enable the University to widen and deepen sustainable practices across all its activities and functions. In addition to the Strategy noted above, some of their work is highlighted via the links below.

  • Successes from the 2016 Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy
  • Progress Update from the 2016 Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy

With support from the Sustainability Strategy Standing Committee, we paused the regular convening of the Small Working Groups in order to move toward the next phase of an updated Strategy for the University. In order to maintain a connection with our valued Small Working Group membership, the Sustainability Collective was created. This Collective of all working group members together allows us to continue to collaborate while we pilot our strategic sustainability planning process. We honor and appreciate the achievements and vision of the Small Working Groups and their leadership.

We are grateful for the members of the working groups who worked to establish a strong foundation of sustainability at the University.