About

Who we are

The Ivy+ Sustainability Collaborative is a network of 30 leading U.S. research universities working together to accelerate climate solutions and advance sustainability in higher education. Through shared expertise, strong peer relationships, and a commitment to collective impact, our members contribute to institutional decision‑making, inform strategic priorities, and promote measurable progress across campuses.

Rooted in a collaborative model that values trust, openness, and shared responsibility, the Ivy+ network provides a platform for sustainability professionals to exchange knowledge, learn from one another, and collaboratively design approaches that address the most pressing climate and sustainability challenges facing higher education institutions.

History & Evolution

The Ivy+ Sustainability Collaborative builds upon nearly two decades of peer‑to‑peer engagement across leading institutions.

Origins of the Ivy+ Sustainability Collaborative

Founded in 2007 as the Ivy+ Sustainability Consortium, the group was created to leverage the shared leadership from the Ivy League, under early guidance from sustainability leaders, to drive broader sustainability conversations and support campus leaders. Its purpose was to offer strategic guidance to university presidents, advance sustainability research, and strengthen a supportive professional network.

Transition to the Listening Post (LP)/EVP Network

In 2017, the Consortium was invited by the Listening Post Executive Vice President (EVP) group to provide sustainability insights. Institutions began coordinating working groups, gathering greenhouse gas data, reporting findings, and presenting recommendations at EVP meetings.

Growth of Membership

Membership expanded as additional institutions joined through relationships within the EVP network. Over time, the Collaborative grew organically—not through a formal application process, but through shared interest and sustained engagement across institutions.

Recent Evolution

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, working groups continued to meet, collect data, and produce best practice resources. Activities such as best practice sharing sessions, development of strategic planning documents, and collaborative case studies have strengthened the collective’s foundation.

This long history of relationship‑building and shared leadership informs the Collaborative’s present vision and future direction.

2014 Ivy+ Summit Group Photo

Hosted by Brown University

2025 Ivy+ Summit Group Photo

Hosted by University of Virginia

Our Values

Through extensive interviews and member feedback, the Collaborative identified core values guiding how members work together:

Participate fully
Assume and extend positive intent
Share collective wisdom in pursuit of inclusive solutions
Accept shared responsibility
Have fun and cultivate meaningful relationships

Leadership & Governance

The Collaborative’s governance model mirrors the Ivy+ tradition of shared leadership and transparent coordination.

Key elements include:

Co‑chairs with staggered leadership terms
A rotating Executive Committee
Working group leads and ad hoc leadership rotation models
Structured onboarding for new members, including buddy systems and mentoring

Governance is designed to support continuity, elevate member voices, and ensure that strategic priorities are carried out consistently across institutions.

Looking Ahead

The Collaborative continues to strengthen its external presence, develop clear communication pathways with institutional leadership, and expand opportunities for shared learning, benchmarking, and sector‑wide impact.

Strategic priorities for the coming years include:

Strengthening governance and internal communications
Enhancing the annual data reporting system and database
Expanding external partnerships and cross‑institutional alliances
Supporting a wider range of sustainability topics, including Scope 3 emissions, procurement, carbon offsets, and climate justice