Green Certification Program and Pledge

A Green Certification Program has been established at the University of Houston, with one of its goals being to encourage departments to take a sustainability pledge.

The University of Houston has been taking great strides toward sustainability in recent years, and the UH Green Certification Program recognizes campus departments that have taken steps to become more sustainable.

�Because people sometimes feel overwhelmed at changing their lifestyle to become more green, we wanted to put together a step-by-step guide, which would show them how easy it can be to live sustainably at the University of Houston,� said Emily Messa, Assistant Vice
President for University Services and Sustainability Officer for the University of Houston.

It is a voluntary self-reporting program which oversees the progress of departments toward green efforts. Departments are encouraged to set long-term goals to reduce their impacts on energy, waste, CO2 emissions, food, and to improve recycling efforts.

In order to begin tangible improvements toward sustainability, Cougars are encouraged to take a sustainability pledge.

The pledge may be found here: https://www.uh.edu/af/greenUH/greencertification.htm

This pledge is open to staff (including faculty, administrators, contractors, etc.), graduating students and current students. It contains categories for green practices, such as conserving energy by turning off lights when one leaves a room or using surge protectors.

Taking these easy steps can make a world of difference in the sustainability of the UH campus, and the university hopes that many will participate in these endeavors.

For more information about Green UH, visit www.uh.edu/green.