Campus Sustainability

Seattle University’s aspiration to lead on sustainability and environmental justice was reinforced by the “Reigniting Our Strategic Directions (2022–2027)” foundational goal to institutional participation in Pope Francis’ Seven-year Journey toward Integral Ecology through the Laudato Si' Action Platform (LSAP), putting concrete action behind the goals outlined by the Pope in his 2015 Encyclical. Seattle University also uses the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and STARS reporting tool as frameworks for measuring progress and identifying the university's contributions towards taking action for people, planet and prosperity.

Seattle University’s Definition of Sustainability (2023): 

We define sustainability as meeting the needs of present and future generations through actions that support human and ecological health, social justice, and economic well-being. 

Seattle University’s LSAP Vision (2023): 

At Seattle University, we are committed to an ecological conversion that opens minds and hearts to the sacred task of caring for our common home. This commitment is rooted in ethical responsibility and solidarity between all peoples and future generations. We envision sustainability in the holistic spirit of integral ecology and will adopt institutional practices that are socially just, support human and ecological health and promote economic well-being.