Barbara Regis-Biscocho, nurse coordinator at Keck Hospital of USC, states that nurses are pivotal in minimizing hospital waste. (USC Photo/Stephen Gee)
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USC’s sustainable initiatives yield exceptional outcomes
EARTH MONTH: The actionable steps USC has implemented to enhance sustainability are creating significant effects. Discover the narrative and view the videos.
Since 2014, USC has halved its greenhouse gas emissions and decreased water consumption by over 25%, based on findings released by the USC Office of Sustainability in its Assignment: Earth FY24 Annual Report.
Assignment: Earth is USC’s ambitious sustainability framework aimed at directing efforts through the LA28 Olympics and beyond. Launched by USC President Carol Folt in 2022, it encompasses 27 objectives categorized under five areas: education, research, inclusion, operations, and engagement.
“We have achieved significant strides, yet there is still more we must do to fulfill our Assignment: Earth sustainability objectives,” remarked USC Chief Sustainability Officer Mick Dalrymple. “Throughout USC campuses, numerous examples illustrate how individuals are collaborating to minimize waste, conserve energy and water, and diminish our carbon footprint for a more promising future. Every member of the USC community can contribute and enhance our collective Trojan Family effect.”
Following the elimination of single-use plastic bottles for all campus and external activities and events in July 2022, over 5 million plastic bottles have been avoided.
Moreover, USC has achieved a 54% waste diversion goal and aims to surpass 90% by 2028.
USC is on track, through multiple strategies, to reach its objective of becoming climate neutral for scope 1 and 2 emissions by the close of this year.