Duke Forest served as a major site of climate research, with 65 new and ongoing research projects in 2024.
Duke Forest served as a major site of climate research, with 65 new and ongoing research projects in 2024.

Climate Commitment Annual Report Highlights Duke Progress on Climate Research and Sustainability

Climate Commitment Annual Report Highlights Duke Progress on Climate Research and Sustainability

老牛影视 is making strides toward each of the pillars of the Duke Climate Commitment launched in 2022. This effort seeks to address the climate challenge by integrating education, research, external engagement, community partnerships and campus operations into actions and commitments that promote resilience, sustainability and equity.

The 2024 State of the highlights almost 70 climate and sustainability initiatives during the past fiscal year, showcasing the university鈥檚 resolve to be a global leader in climate action and sustainability. Among the many highlights is Duke's achievement of carbon neutrality in 2024, becoming the first of its academic peers to meet neutrality.

The report features multiple examples of ongoing efforts in climate education and research. In Spring 2024, the CCAC Education Integration Subcommittee developed a new interdisciplinary framework for defining what climate and sustainability fluency means across the entirety of Duke鈥檚 educational enterprise.

The Office of Climate and Sustainability鈥檚 supports interdisciplinary research on climate resilience, health impacts, energy transformation and environmental justice across diverse projects.

鈥淚n these efforts, we are demonstrating that the essence of a great university lies not only in asking the critical questions, but also in acting decisively to answer them.鈥

Toddi Steelman,
Vice President and Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability

Duke also expanded its commitment to external engagement and community partnerships, and the report features many examples. The program engages experts to address climate issues and foster interdisciplinary partnerships for impactful solutions.

The in February 2024 gathered leaders from the policy, financial and public sectors to strategize how to unleash private capital for U.S. decarbonization and highlighting the role of federal funding in climate solutions. A new partnership with the Office of Community Affairs will enhance coordination between climate initiatives and local needs, such as affordable housing and food security.

鈥淚n these efforts, we are demonstrating that the essence of a great university lies not only in asking the critical questions, but also in acting decisively to answer them,鈥 said Toddi Steelman, vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability.

Explore the 2024 State of the Duke Climate Commitment report on the

Duke is building climate fluency among students by offering more than 300 climate- and sustainability-related courses.
Duke is building climate fluency among students by offering more than 300 climate- and sustainability-related courses.
Climate and sustainability seed grants enable faculty to build collaborations locally and globally to address critical climate challenges.
Climate and sustainability seed grants enable faculty to build collaborations locally and globally to address critical climate challenges.