Thanks to the collaborative atmosphere fostered by Duke's interdisciplinary academic environment, a number of greening initiatives have come out of cooperative efforts between staff, students and faculty.  These initiatives, combined with substantial administrative support, have made Duke a leader in many areas of campus sustainability. 

• Buildings - Duke has made a strong commitment to green building.

• Campus Dining - Student interns have been working with Dining Services to implement sustainable dining practices.

• Environmental Management System - Beginning in 2003, the Environmental Management System has helped Duke measure and minimize its environmental impact.

• Greenhouse Gases - A committee was formed in November 2004 to study strategies for significantly reducing Duke's emissions.

• Energy - Duke has been a leader both in energy conservation and the purchase of clean, renewable energy.

• Land Management - As the largest land-owner in Durham County, Duke's land management planning contributes significantly to ecological preservation and mixed-use, in-fill development.

• Purchasing - Duke supports the development and distribution of environmentally preferable products.

• Transportation - Like many universities, Duke is working to marry our auto-centered society with a pedestrian friendly campus through progressive transportation planning.

• Waste Management - Duke's recycling and waste reduction program has been running since 1989.

• Water Management - Duke aims to use drinking water efficiently and manage stormwater runoff carefully for the benefit of the people and ecosystems downstream of campus.