April 19-20, 2023   |  University Memorial Center

Impact - Innovate - Inspire

The 30th annual Campus Sustainability Summit invites faculty, staff and students to share, learn and celebrate CU Boulder’s wide array of sustainability leadership and accomplishments and rise to the challenges posed by the Campus Call to Climate Action 

In collaboration with campus partners, CU Environmental Center has produced a Campus Sustainability Summit annually or semi-annually since 1994 for the campus community. The Campus Sustainability Summit and the Campus Sustainability Awards program are sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Infrastructure and Sustainability, and the CUSG Environmental Center. The Summit is open to all CU Boulder students, faculty, and staff and community members.

Program Preview

April 19th

11:30am-1:00pm
Campus Sustainability Awards Lunch Ceremony
Nominations close March 9th.  The awards lunch is by invitation for the 2023 awardees and their guests.

1:00-2:30pm
Sessions and Workshops
-Aiming for Zero Waste: Goals and Challenges 
-Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition

3:00-4:30pm
Sessions and Workshops
-Sustainability across the Curriculum
-Navigating Climate Anxiety

April 20th

12:00-3:00pm 
Climate Action Expo 
Student projects compete for $25,000 in cash prizes sponsored by Mission Zero and CU Climate Action Fund

1:00-2:00pm
Centering Climate Justice in the Climate Action Plan

2:00-4:00pm
Campus Climate Action Plan Town Hall

2:00-5:00pm

Buffs Kick Gas!  Exhibit of Low Carbon Transportation Options

4:00-5:30pm 
Closing Reception and Climate Action Expo Winners Awards Ceremony

Sign up to attend and view the full schedule here

Showcase your Solutions- Pathways to Be involved

Climate Action Expo: Call for Presenters

Presentations can be in the form of posters or exhibit booths. Student projects featured in the Climate Action Expo will be eligible for $25,000 in cash prizes from the Mission Zero Fund at CU Boulder. Faculty and staff are invited to showcase their departments, project, research, or curriculum.

Submit your presentation proposal by March 16 to receive priority consideration. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 11th. Students submit here, and faculty and staff submit here. 

The Climate Action Expo is a showcase of climate solutions projects from various CU Boulder colleges. Some examples of exhibits are a model of an electrified grid, car mounted wind power concept, upcycled fashion, a net zero house model, creative writing about climate change, an air quality sensor, and much more!  Details on Mission Zero Fund prize categories and amounts are available here

​Detailed information for confirmed participants

The President’s Sustainable Solutions Challenge

The President’s Sustainable Solutions Challenge (PSSC) encourages student-led innovation in sustainability for the University of Colorado system and its four campuses. Each campus will host a Pitch Night, where students with ideas for sustainability innovation on their campuses will compete for $2,500 in cash prizes. CU Boulder will host its Campus Pitch Night on April 12.  On April 20, PSSC participants are also invited to present at the Campus Sustainability Summit's Climate Action Expo.   Build ideas and connect with other students to get started at the Sustainability Impact Accelerator Workshop Series on February 11 and March 7.  In addition to the cash prizes for great ideas, participation in the workshops and the President's Challenge and/or Climate Action Expo will qualify students for the Sustainainability Innovation Microcredential.  

Seed Funding Available for Student Climate Projects

Mission Zero is facilitating students of all disciplines to engage in climate-related projects. Successful student applicants will receive funding, as well as have the opportunity to show off their projects at the Climate Action Expo on April 20, 2023.  Students may receive up to $500 per individual, or up to $2000 per team to develop a project to showcase.  More information here.

Campus Sustainability Awards nominations open

The annual Campus Sustainability Awards celebrate individuals and departments that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through inventive programs and initiatives that directly reduce resource use, enhance social equity and cohesion, or promote a culture of sustainability at CU Boulder. Awardees will be recognized on April 19, 2023 at the annual Campus Sustainability Awards luncheon. Nominations are due by March 9.