5 takeaways from the sustainability summit
Held April 22–23, theÌý32nd annual Campus Sustainability Summit at CU Boulder brought together students, faculty, staff and community members to collaborate on advancing sustainability initiatives. The two-day event featured student showcases, leadership panels, workshops and discussions aimed at building resilience and accelerating impact.
Leadership emphasizes collaborative action
In a keynote panel titled "Leadership Perspectives on Building Resilience and Accelerating Impact," Chancellor Justin Schwartz, Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock and Sustainability Research Initiative Executive Director Jane Zelikova discussed the university's commitment to sustainability and the importance of collaborative efforts. They highlighted the current political climate as an opportunity for CU Boulder to lead in sustainability both locally and nationally.
Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications Jon Leslie
Student innovation takes center stage
The Student Ideas Showcase featured 30 projects addressing various sustainability challenges, with student teams applying creative solutions to real-world environmental issues. RePLA, a project focused on recycling leftover polylactic acid (PLA) from 3D-printing labs into usable items such as buttons, guitar picks and flat sheets for laser cutting, stood out among the entries. The RePLA team won both the Audience Choice Award and the Grand Prize, totaling $2,000.
Other notable winners included:
- 3D Printed Object Recycling – Innovation Category
- Happy Plants – Creativity Category
- LOOP – Climate Impact Category
- Soft Boundaries and Resilient Communities: CU Boulder South Design Proposal – Human Impact Category
- Riding on Sunshine – Campus Impact Category
- Thermoelectric Generator – Overall Runner-Up
Advancing the Climate Action Plan
Sessions during the summit focused on CU Boulder’sÌýClimate Action Plan (CAP), with discussions on strategies to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability across campus. Undergraduate students from the new Climate Action Planning course presented actionable ideas for reducing carbon emissions tied to travel, transportation and waste—ideas that leadership panelists repeatedly referenced throughout the day.
As highlighted inÌý and theÌý, students are not only proposing bold solutions but also influencing campus priorities and sparking real change. Student action and passion have shaped CU Boulder’s roadmap to carbon neutrality, while fostering cross-campus partnerships critical to implementing those solutions.
Embracing circular economy and resilient food systems
Workshops and panels emphasized the importance of circular economy solutions and resilient food systems. Collaborations between campus departments and community partners were highlighted as essential for implementing these initiatives. The summit facilitated key partnerships aimed at promoting sustainable practices in these areas.​
Recognizing sustainability champions
The Campus Sustainability Awards honored individuals and departments demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through innovative programs that reduce resource use and promote social equity. The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of those contributing to CU Boulder's sustainability goals.
ÌýÌýWant to join the Sustainable Buffs movement?
This year’s Campus Sustainability Summit made it clear: Leadership, innovative ideas and collective action are powering CU Boulder’s path to a more sustainable future. Whether you're a student with a big idea, a faculty member exploring climate solutions in the classroom or a staff member ready to collaborate—there’s a place for you in this movement.
Explore student projects, get involved in ongoing initiatives and find your path to action.
Together, we can Be Sustainable—Be Boulder.
In collaboration with campus partners, CU Environmental Center has produced aÌýCampus Sustainability SummitÌýannually or semi-annually since 1994 for the campus community.
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