UMass Lowell Recognized for Strong and Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability

UMass Lowell’s position as the highest-rated campus for sustainability in Massachusetts has reached new heights, with a platinum campus designation from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). It is  the only higher education institution in Massachusetts, one of eight in the nation and one of 15 in the world to hold the prestigious designation.

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Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy

Professor Alessandro Sabato operates a lab-scale wind turbine at the Structural Dynamics and Acoustics Systems Lab
With the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, UMass Lowell (UML) is combining scientific research with community action. The Rist Institute is the university’s center for hands-on research on sustainability, climate change and renewable energy. Our goal is to create blueprints for human scale sustainability in communities throughout our region and across the world. Explore what the Rist Institute has to offer.

Shining STARS to Reach Platinum

  • 1
    of 1 in Massachusetts
  • 1
    of 2 in New England
  • 1
    of 8 in U.S.
  • 1
    of 15 worldwide

Urban Agriculture Program

Our Urban Agriculture Program, which began with our longstanding partnership with Mill City Grows, has evolved. We now combine the university's facilities and academic expertise to focus on food access and justice in the diverse and evolving city of Lowell. Our initiatives include:

Sustainable Practices

In addition to providing sustainability resources for members of the our community, the university engages in systemic efforts to reduce our carbon footprint through efforts targeting energy use, material use and vehicles. Learn more about UMass Lowell practices:

Academics and Research

UMass Lowell is dedicated to shaping the next generation of sustainability leaders through its diverse range of studies in critical areas like environmental science, sustainable engineering, climate policy, renewable energy and green business practices. As a leading research institution, we foster innovation and discovery through a network of research centers, institutes and laboratories dedicated to sustainability and climate science. See how:

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