Since its founding in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement.  A talented and highly respected faculty is the university’s most significant resource.  Many are recognized for exceptional scholarship with memberships in such organizations as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering, and with awards such as Nobel Prizes, Pulitzer Prizes, and the Fields Medal in Mathematics. 

The Carbon Commitment is "Focused on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible," according to Second Nature.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign committed to this effort on February 22, 2008, when Chancellor Richard Herman signed what was then called the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The signed document is linked below, and it shows the specific commitment language.

An essential part of the University’s 2010 Illinois Climate Action Plan is setting and achieving climate commitments. The iCAP provides a realistic framework for actions to eventually make the University carbon neutral and improve the University’s long-term effects on the environment.

Eleven core climate commitments were set in the iCAP. These commitments serve as clear standards and goals the University plans to achieve within a reasonable amount of time. Smaller commitments are a part of each core commitment; several of the smaller commitments have been achieved.

 The Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact outlines environmental goals for higher education institutions. The Compact encourages universities and colleges within the state to integrate sustainable practices throughout their campuses and work towards objectives such as purchasing renewable energy, implementing green building practices, and incorporating sustainable dining practices. The Governor’s Office recognizes achievement at the bronze, silver and gold levels. Illinois has been recognized at the Gold Level!

The Green Observer is the only student-ran environmental publication at the University of Illinois. As a part of Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS), the Green Observer strives to give a platform to students on a range of environmental topics and uplift new perspectives on a variety of issues from all parts of campus. Our publication frequently receives articles, poetry, photography, and many other forms of art submissions.

Illinois is proud to offer a wide variety of co-curricular programs for students to get involved in the sustainability field.  There are numerous sustainability-related student organizations and hundreds of opportunities to get engaged both on and off campus.  To share historical information and ideas toward meeting our sustainability goals, details about projects, events, and programs are being collected on the iCAP Portal.  

The Alvin H. Baum Family Fund supported the Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) through a generous donation. The contribution was in support of the Center for a Sustainable Environment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

John Francis Pizzo and Pizzo & Associates, Ltd. granted the University of Illinois Foundation and Board of Trustees design services, seed, and labor for the creation of a prairie zone at the corner of Florida Avenue and Orchard Street in Urbana. The gift was estimated to be a $20,000 value.

An outside vendor, Call2Recycle, offers boxes to collect a mix of rechargeable and single-use batteries. Participants must contact Call2Recycle to participate and must arrange to pay Call2Recycle, as central funding is no longer available for battery recycling. Prices vary by the size of the box. Once the boxes are full, participants follow the instructions for securing and shipping.

An outside vendor, Call2Recycle, offers boxes to collect a mix of rechargeable and single-use batteries. Participants must contact Call2Recycle to participate and must arrange to pay Call2Recycle, as central funding is no longer available for battery recycling. Prices vary by the size of the box. Once the boxes are full, participants follow the instructions for securing and shipping.