The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability was established through a partnership between the University of Colorado Boulder, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and the American Council on Education (ACE).
The Carnegie Elective Classifications use an institutional self-study process to provide an independent and rigorous assessment of how colleges and universities advance key dimensions of their public purpose. Through this process, institutions document and reflect on their commitments, investments, and achievements in specific areas of institutional practice.
The University of Colorado Boulder serves as the host institution for the Sustainability Elective Classification. In this role, CU Boulder supports the administration of the classification and works with the field to strengthen the framework, build institutional capacity, and advance sustainability across higher education.
The Sustainability Elective Classification recognizes institutions that integrate sustainability and climate action into their academic missions. The framework supports institutions in assessing and strengthening sustainability efforts across curriculum, research, campus operations, and community engagement, while encouraging institutions to connect these efforts to broader societal and environmental challenges.
Carnegie Definition of Sustainability
For the purposes of this classification, the Carnegie Foundation defines sustainability in higher education as:
A holistic approach to advancing environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and long-term well-being through interconnected academic, research, and operational initiatives. This involves preparing students to address climate challenges, promoting responsible resource management, and fostering innovation for a sustainable future. Institutions pursue sustainability by reducing environmental impact, conducting research that offers practical solutions to global challenges, and collaborating with communities. These efforts are culturally, regionally, and contextually grounded and draw on diverse knowledge systems, including Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and practices to ensure the well-being of both current and future generations.
Why Sustainability Matters
Higher education institutions play a critical role in addressing global challenges, including climate change and resource sustainability. The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability highlights and supports institutional efforts to lead in these areas by fostering innovation, collaboration, and measurable progress toward a more sustainable future. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education (ACE) developed this classification to support thriving, sustainable communities for current and future generations. These efforts are culturally, regionally, and contextually informed.
Development Process
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability was developed through a thoughtful, inclusive process led by the Carnegie Foundation and ACE. The development process included:
- Initial feasibility study (2023): A comprehensive review of existing sustainability frameworks, expert interviews, and field research identified the need for a dedicated classification to recognize sustainability in higher education.
- Stakeholder engagement (2024): Through in-person meetings, virtual convenings, and surveys at major conferences, insights were gathered from sustainability leaders; institutional representatives from over 43 colleges and universities; and organizations such as the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Second Nature, U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development, and This Is Planet Ed at the Aspen Institute.
- Pilot program (2025): A cohort of 20 diverse institutions representing minority serving institutions, community colleges, research universities, and liberal arts colleges is participating in a yearlong pilot program. This pilot will shape the framework, indicators, and application process for the classification.
University of Colorado Boulder: Operational Host for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability
CU Boulder is a recognized leader in sustainability research, campus action, and applied learning. The university combines world-class earth and environmental science research with campus-wide climate planning and hands-on sustainability programs. CU Boulder’s experience includes:
- Robust interdisciplinary research centers and programs that advance climate science and sustainability solutions
- A campus Climate Action Plan and an active institutional sustainability office focused on mitigation, resilience, and equitable approaches
- Longstanding student-facing applied sustainability initiatives, including learning hubs and campus programs that turn research into practice
This blend of research excellence, operational experience, and public engagement positions CU Boulder to manage the practical, technical, and convening responsibilities of the Carnegie Sustainability Elective Classification.
Key Features of the Classification
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability aims to:
- Recognize excellence: Highlight institutions that integrate sustainability into their core academic missions and campus practices
- Encourage innovation: Foster creative solutions to sustainability challenges through research, teaching, and community engagement
- Promote access: Ensure accessibility for all institutions, including those with fewer resources, by offering adaptable criteria and support
- Foster collaboration: Build on existing frameworks, such as AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System, to align efforts and maximize impact
Acknowledgment of Sponsors
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability initiative is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Lumina Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.
We are deeply grateful for their commitment to advancing sustainability in higher education and their shared vision of fostering innovation, collaboration, and solutions-based action. Their support has been instrumental in shaping the development of the classification from the initial feasibility study through the pilot program.
These partnerships reflect a collective dedication to empowering institutions to address global challenges and create a more sustainable future for students, communities, and society.
We thank them for their unwavering support and leadership in this important endeavor.
Apply for the 2027 Cycle
Institutions interested in participating in the 2027 Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability cycle are encouraged to learn more about the application process and available capacity-building opportunities.
For more information about the application, institutional preparation, and support resources, please contact the University of Colorado Boulder Sustainability Elective team.
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Contact Us
For questions about the Elective Classification for Sustainability, contact Marisol Morales at [email protected].