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The UTRGV Office for Sustainability is committed to advancing sustainable development across our campus by focusing on the three pillars of sustainability: Environmental, Social, and Economic. These pillars recognize that sustainability is achieved when we protect natural resources, encourage a healthy and equitable community, and support a resilient economy for present and future generations.
As our university continues to grow, it is important for every department, office, and organization to identify how their practices and initiatives contribute to well-being across campus and throughout the Rio Grande Valley. By leveraging the unique strengths of each area and fostering collaboration across our community, we move closer to creating a balanced and lasting approach to sustainability.
Using the three pillars framework provides a clear pathway for any campus group to see how its work matters for people, for the planet, and for prosperity. Through partnership and shared responsibility, we can make meaningful progress toward a stronger, more sustainable UTRGV.
United States EPA 3 Pillars of SustainabilityExplore the Three Pillars of Sustainability!
Advance community health, engagement, and well-being by:
- Promoting environmental justice and empowering communities to address pollution.
- Supporting human health and access to essential resources like water, food, and energy.
- Encouraging public participation and education in sustainability decisions.
- Fostering sustainable, resilient communities through thoughtful planning and collaboration.
Protect and restore natural ecosystems and resources by:
- Sustaining healthy habitats and ecosystem services.
- Designing safer, more sustainable chemical processes.
- Maintaining air quality and reducing pollutants.
- Improving water quality and advancing treatment technologies.
- Minimizing environmental stressors and their impacts.
- Reducing waste to protect natural resources and prevent pollution.
Support sustainable economic growth and community prosperity by:
- Strengthening and creating quality jobs.
- Encouraging incentives that promote sustainable behaviors.
- Promoting transparent market practices and informed decision-making.
- Improving valuation of natural resources in economic planning.
- Reducing costs and risks through innovative, waste-free processes.