Sustainability

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

A business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public by integrating social and environmental concerns into operations and interactions.

Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Investment Principles

A set of criteria used by investors to evaluate a company's ethical impact and sustainability practices, focusing on environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance structures.

Greenwashing

The practice of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

Triple Bottom Line

A framework that evaluates a company's commitment to social, environmental, and economic performance, emphasizing the importance of balancing people, planet, and profit.

Benefit Corporations (B Corp)

A type of for-profit corporation that includes a positive impact on society, workers, the community, and the environment in addition to profit as its legally defined goals.

Nonprofit Organizations

Organizations that operate for a purpose other than profit, often focused on social, educational, or charitable missions.

Transformative Solutions

Game-changing solutions: the goal should be “better” rather than just “more”; helps us work toward sustainability

UW Campus Sustainability Fund Goals & Grants

• Ranked in the top 10% of universities worldwide for sustainability efforts

• 29 LEED certified buildings

• 58% waste diversion rate

• Divestment from coal companies

• ~13 million dollars saved annually through utility conservation 

• Reduced GHG emissions by 8% since 2005

• UW Farm, UW Solar, Green Laboratories, Sustainability Fund

Brundtland Report Sustainability Definition

Meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy) Sustainability Definition

We must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.

Three pillars sustainability model

A framework that emphasizes the interdependence of social, environmental, and economic factors in achieving sustainability.

Nested dependencies sustainability model

A concept that illustrates how various systems, such as ecological, social, and economic, are interconnected and depend on one another for sustainability.

Wedding cake sustainability model

A model that represents sustainability through layers, emphasizing the importance of social equity, environmental health, and economic viability as foundational elements.

Two pillars sustainability model

A framework that highlights the balance between environmental and economic factors in pursuit of sustainability, often overlooking social dimensions.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

A collection of 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015 to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges, aiming to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.