Sustainability | Notre Dame Stories | University of Notre Dame Sustainability From climate science to ethical policy, Notre Dame is uncovering the factors that can lead to a more sustainable future—through research and real-world action. Sustainability at Notre Dame At Notre Dame, the call to care for our common home is rooted in mission. We envision a future defined by the solutions we create, not the problems we avoid, where human dignity and ecological integrity flourish together. Featured stories Article Sowing seeds of hope: Vatican partnership advances global sustainability The collaboration supports research, education, and action to build a more just, sustainable future. Article Restoring God’s creation Bethany Land Institute integrates environment and economics in Uganda Article A picture of drought ND researchers are using NASA satellite data to create a better method for predicting wildfires. News Methane Sinks or Sources? Upland forests could actually be emitting more methane than they take in. Fighting for sustainability News Beyond sustainable One alum's journey from Shark Tank to designing products from unconventional materials that minimize environmental impact. News Better conversations about environmental conservation As the planet faces mounting environmental crises, Notre Dame researchers call for a simple yet transformative practice: better conversations. News Measuring water security Notre Dame research leads to a comprehensive, scalable method for assessing a city's vulnerability to water-related climate trends. Our common home on campus Our commitment is evident on campus, with a holistic approach to energy, new construction, operations, and more. Article University of Notre Dame Sustainability Strategy 2026 marks a decade since Notre Dame published its original Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy on the heels of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'. News Localizing global environmental challenges through Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative For Kevin Fink, sustainability is about more than building solutions to environmental challenges. It's inherently about justice. And that's why he sees Notre Dame as the perfect institution to lead the charge. News Mendoza's new roof: It's alive! Amid the shingles, gutters and concrete on the new roof of the Mendoza College of Business building lives more than half an acre of vegetation. Specifically 31,100 square feet, or 9,075 plant trays, of 11 different varieties of sedum and allium—succulent-like plants that are easy to maintain and tolerate drought. Sustainability in practice News Transforming sacrifice zones into sacred zones Ryan Juskus approaches environmental justice as integral to human dignity April 15, 2026 For Ryan Juskus, assistant professor of the practice at the Institute for Social Concerns, the true cost of our global energy systems is best seen not in atmospheric charts but in the mines, extraction sites, and... News Where Pollution Meets Pathogens: Inside Anuradha Goswami’s Research The increase of antimicrobial resistance over the past decades poses a great threat to global health. Without new strategies to understand and combat resistance, routine medical procedures and treatments could face growing risks in the years ahead. This is the central focus of the research of Anuradha Goswami, assistant research... Article Fighting for clean water Professor Jennifer Tank is working with the Environmental Change Initiative to restore and protect our freshwater resources. News Sustainability Spotlight: Ben Wood Ben Wood is the Assistant Director for Residential Facilities in the Office of Residential Life. Notre Dame Sustainability sat down with Ben to learn more about him and discuss his role in shaping sustainability on campus through his work in the Office of Residential Life. Tell us about yourself &... News Sustainability Spotlight: Joe Rabbitt Joe Rabbitt (pictured, right) is the Horticulturist in Landscape Services. Notre Dame Sustainability sat down with Joe to learn more about him and discuss his role in shaping sustainability on campus through managing Notre Dame's green spaces. Tell us about yourself & your work on campus. I am the Horticulturist... News Alaska’s vital coastal wetlands vulnerable to additional stress from warming climate, Notre Dame study finds Shallow freshwater ponds in coastal Alaskan wetlands are getting warmer in sync with rising air temperatures, according to a study by University of Notre Dame researchers, signaling that the area could potentially become unsuitable for salmon and other organisms during this century. The article in Nature Communications Earth & Environment... News Notre Dame faculty members bring lessons from COP30 back to their classrooms and research Notre Dame faculty members across science, business, and the humanities attended COP30 to explore how global climate research, policy, and practice intersect. Their experience at the summit now directly informs their classroom teachings, research agendas, and the climate dialogue on Notre Dame's campus. News As fossil fuel use declines, experts urge planning and coordination to prevent chaotic collapse As the world shifts toward renewable energy sources, some experts warn that a lack of planning for the retirement of fossil fuels could lead to a disorderly and dangerous collapse of existing systems that could prolong the transition to green energy. In a new study, Notre Dame researchers argue that... News New tool tracks cross-border pollution, revealing unequal distribution of risk, responsibility Deadly PM 2.5 air pollution that crosses state and national borders remains a serious global health issue. New Notre Dame research provides a tool to track responsibility and inform policy. News Nepal’s green success story has a hidden social gap, Notre Dame research shows In recent years, Nepal has been heralded as a global leader in community-based forest conservation. By handing over nearly a third of its nationally owned forest to local villagers in the 1980s, the country reversed years of deforestation and effectively doubled its forest cover. However, a new study from the... News Shedding Light on Ice Fog in the Darkness of Polar Night Ice fog—a curtain of tiny ice crystals suspended above the earth's surface—reduces visibility and makes air travel treacherous. News EARTH A New Way to View the Blue Sky News How light reflects on leaves may help researchers identify dying forests A new study from researchers at the University of Notre Dame, published in Nature: Communications Earth & Environment, uncovers a more comprehensive picture of forest health. Funded by NASA, the research shows that spectral reflectance—a measurement obtained from satellite images—corresponds with the expression of specific genes. News New research details fundamental shift in global climate finance Multilateral climate funding is undergoing a major structural shift, according to new research by the University of Notre Dame. News Homes that can withstand extremes: New study reveals pathways to housing resilience From earthquake-prone Anchorage to hurricane-hit Puerto Rico, Professor Susan Ostermann explores how "regulatory pragmatism" and critical structural features like shear walls can protect homes from natural disasters. News As temperatures rise, research points the way to lower energy costs, better living conditions for low-income households As extreme heat increasingly threatens vulnerable communities, Notre Dame researchers are developing data-driven tools to make South Bend housing safer and more energy efficient. News Tackling e-waste with biodegradable electronics In response to the global e-waste crisis, Notre Dame computer scientist Tingyu Cheng is developing biodegradable electronic components that can dissolve and decompose safely. His team's award-winning work offers a more sustainable approach to electronic prototyping without sacrificing functionality. News Luis Montestruque, Ph.D. ’04, uses smart water systems to teach old infrastructures new tricks In this conversation, Luis Montestruque, ND Ph.D. '04, discusses the evolution of smart water technology, the role of green infrastructure, his company's recent work in the U.K., and the forces that have shaped his engineering career. News How can we have better conversations about environmental conservation? New Notre Dame research charts a path. As the planet faces mounting environmental crises, including a decline in global biodiversity, a new study from the University of Notre Dame calls for a seemingly simple yet transformative practice: better conversations. News Localizing global environmental challenges through Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative This story is part of a series of features highlighting the managing directors of the University's strategic initiatives. The managing directors are key (senior) staff members who work directly with the faculty directors to help implement and operationalize the vision for the initiatives, oversee initiative staff, and serve as thought... News Smarter filter uses electric charges to target pollutants and recover resources Notre Dame engineer William Phillip and his W.A.T.E.R. lab have developed a charge-patterned mosaic membrane (CMM) that separates substances based on their charged ions. This work offers new possibilities for treating industrial wastewater and recycling resources. News In new research, Roy Scranton explores climate change and the limits of human progress In his most recent book, “Impasse: Climate Change and the Limits of Progress,” Scranton, an associate professor of English, defines the impasse he sees as “not only political and institutional, but cognitive, existential and narrative” and asserts that the only path forward is through embracing what he terms ethical pessimism.... News Heartland Aflame A Notre Dame professor unearths the mysteries and the lessons of native grasslands. News Monsoon mechanics: civil engineers look for answers in the Bay of Bengal Notre Dame researchers with the Environmental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory set sail into the Bay of Bengal for oceanographic research investigating how warm ocean waters help ignite the Indian summer monsoon. News Smarter tools for policymakers: Notre Dame researchers target urban carbon emissions, building by building Carbon emissions continue to increase at record levels, fueling climate instability and worsening air quality conditions for billions in cities worldwide. Yet despite global commitments to carbon neutrality, urban policymakers still struggle to implement effective mitigation strategies at the city scale. Now, researchers at Notre Dame’s School of Architecture, the... News Collecting more than trash: Researchers equip local garbage trucks to gather data on urban heat island effect To help identify — and ultimately mitigate — heat islands in South Bend, a team of University of Notre Dame researchers has partnered with the city to collect data using a novel method: garbage trucks. Ming Hu, the associate dean for research, scholarship and creative work in Notre Dame’s School... News University earns Tree Campus USA designation After a year of hard work by the Campus Tree Care Plan Committee, Notre Dame has officially been recognized as a Tree Campus USA school. Tree Campus USA helps colleges and universities establish and sustain healthy community forests. Notre Dame's tree canopy has a rich history. In 1966, the University's... News Green roofs continue to grow across campus skyline Alongside the striking slate roofs and stoic gargoyles that adorn the tops of campus buildings, vegetative “green” roofs have gained considerable acreage across the University’s skyline. This summer, the Rockne Memorial became the newest building to sport a green roof system. Aerial view of the newly installed green roof at... News Celebratory Campus-Wide Inauguration Picnic Provides Case Study for Composting on Campus The inauguration of Notre Dame's 18th president, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., included a campus-wide picnic that marked a significant milestone in the University’s sustainability efforts as the first-ever large-scale composting initiative. News More than Rice: Notre Dame’s Newest Food Supplier Sets the Gold Standard for Sustainable Agriculture University Enterprises and Events has partnered with Lundberg Family Farms to support Notre Dame's commitment to sustainably sourced food. From regenerative farming to zero-waste operations, Lundberg's practices align closely with the University's emphasis on environmental stewardship. News Protective actions need regulatory support to fully defend homeowners and coastal communities, study finds As climate change drives increasingly severe hurricanes, US coastal communities are bearing the brunt of mounting losses. With regulations failing to curb the damage, homeowners have become the front line of defense—but their efforts often fall short, according to research from the University of Notre Dame. News As Maui rebuilds, Notre Dame research team contributes expertise on hazard-resilient housing It has been one year since fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui killed 102 people, destroyed more than 2,200 buildings, and displaced 5,000 people in the historic town of Lahaina. Today, signs of rebuilding are visible. The US Army Corps of Engineers has leveled and graded the lots where... News Solar project to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions by 600 to 700 tons annually The University of Notre Dame will install a 46,000-square-foot solar array on the west side of campus, along Indiana 933, as part of an ongoing effort to diversify its energy supply and achieve net zero campus carbon emissions by 2050. News Notre Dame joins EPA Green Power Partnership program The EPA established the Green Power Partnership program in 2001 as a way to encourage organizations to use green energy, including wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal, and to protect human health and the environment. News Climate-prepared countries are losing ground, latest ND-GAIN index shows Updated annually, ND-GAIN’s Country Index quantifies the climate vulnerability and readiness of more than 180 countries by aggregating 45 core indicators over 20 years. News Notre Dame receives LEED certification on five new buildings Baumer Hall and Johnson Family Hall each earned Gold, and the Matthew and Joyce Walsh Family Hall of Architecture, the Irish Athletics Center and the new Corby Hall each received silver. News 10 tons of excess food saved, repurposed from Notre Dame Stadium during 2021 football season Cultivate Food Rescue, the local food rescue organization, saved and repurposed 20,775 pounds of excess food from Notre Dame Stadium during the recently completed home football season, contributing to a significant milestone for the 4-year-old nonprofit: 2 million pounds of food rescued overall. News Notre Dame clean energy projects earn Partners for Clean Air Award The University of Notre Dame has been recognized with a Partners for Clean Air Award from the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) for its commitment to clean energy, including recent long-term investments in solar and hydroelectric power and geothermal heating and cooling. Video ND :30 - Joe Fernando Professor Joe Fernando measures oceanic and atmospheric wave patterns to develop models that will predict monsoons up to several weeks in advance. Video ND :30 - Tengfei Luo Aerospace and Mechanical Engineer Tengfei Luo is working to desalinate water with an ionic liquid as a new solvent. News Notre Dame commits to carbon neutrality by 2050 The University of Notre Dame committed to becoming a carbon neutral campus by 2050 and to a reduction in carbon dioxide of at least 65 percent from 2005 levels within the next nine years, University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., announced during opening remarks at the first keynote event... News New study confirms relationship between toxic pollution, climate risks to human health In a first-of-its-kind study that combines assessments of the risks of toxic emissions (e.g., fine particulate matter), nontoxic emissions (e.g., greenhouse gases) and people’s vulnerability to them, University of Notre Dame postdoctoral research associate Drew (Richard) Marcantonio, doctoral student Sean Field (anthropology), Associate Professor of Political Science Debra Javeline and... News Notre Dame earns LEED Gold for Duncan Student Center, Corbett Family Hall and O’Neill Hall The University earned 60 credits in nine categories including the use of sustainable materials and resources, water efficiency, energy, innovation in design and indoor environmental quality, among several other areas. News Food rescue partnership reaches 100,000-pound milestone The University of Notre Dame has reached a milestone in its relationship with Cultivate Food Rescue: 100,000 pounds of food donated to the nonprofit to battle hunger and reduce food waste. News Notre Dame-backed solar project breaks ground in St. Joseph County As a partner in the project, Notre Dame has committed to purchase 40 percent of total output from the facility in the form of clean energy credits over 30 years, equal to about 10 percent of the University’s overall electrical usage. Discover and engage Found result Article Sowing seeds of hope: Vatican partnership advances global sustainability The collaboration supports research, education, and action to build a more just, sustainable future. Podcast What happened to the American family? The American family has changed dramatically over the past four decades, raising urgent questions about marriage, economic stability, and child well-being. Article A saint of our own? The humble piety of Notre Dame cobbler Brother Columba inspires a canonization push. Photo Essay A model March Semester in full swing, snow, sun, fun, madness, and mulch. Photo Essay Remembrance and appreciation Lou Holtz, 1937–2026 Article A dignity movement 2026 Laetare Medalist Timothy Shriver Podcast How do you measure success? Mendoza professor Joe Holt joins Jenna Liberto to talk purpose-driven goals, meaningful work, and redefining success. Photo Essay Between winter and spring The month in photos, February 2026 Article The press vs. the power Observer founder Robert Sam Anson had a contentious yet strong relationship with ND President Father Hesburgh. Light/Dark