The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) marks five years of dedicated work in advancing sustainable practices within the business community this year. Established in October 2019, the CSB has focused on equipping businesses with strategies that address environmental, societal, technological, and economic challenges while creating value for all stakeholders.
“From the very beginning, the vision for the Center for Sustainable Business was to create a hub where business innovation meets environmental and social stewardship. What I admire most about the CSB is its unwavering commitment to equipping businesses and graduate students with the tools and knowledge they need to lead in sustainability. Watching the Center grow over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding and I am proud to have been part of its foundation.”
— William Sapon, President, Tri-Sector Advisors
The Center for Sustainable Business at the University of Pittsburgh aims to promote the adoption of more sustainable business practices. Through innovative research and specialized education and training, the CSB helps companies learn how to leverage their investments in sustainability across all functions of the organization to generate better business and societal outcomes.
Mission and Vision
- Identify and innovate best practices: they synergize economic value with social benefit through cutting-edge research and practical solutions.
- Cultivate a dynamic Community of Practice: they bring together businesses, academics, policymakers, and community leaders to solve problems collaboratively and build resilience strategies.
- Access and apply collective wisdom: they pool the deep and diverse knowledge of the CSB community and research organizations, as well as the research capabilities of the University of Pittsburgh.
What The CSB Does
- Collaborative Research Projects involving faculty and graduate students that address critical sustainability issues.
- Executive Education Workshops designed to immerse business leaders in sustainable business practices.
- The upcoming Company Baseline Assessment tool, launching in 2025, to help organizations benchmark and improve their sustainability initiatives.
Key Accomplishments Over the Past Five Years
Heinz Endowment Grant: In 2021, CSB received an $800,000 grant from the Heinz Endowment. This funding enabled the Center to expand its team by adding three new full-time members in 2023, with plans for two additional hires in the near future.
Sustainable Event Practices: Between 2023 and 2024, CSB hosted 11 sustainability-focused events, each incorporating guidelines to minimize food waste, including a comprehensive Food Waste Plan that aligns with CSB’s commitment to zero-waste event management.
Green Office Certification: In 2022, CSB achieved “Sustainable Oak” status, the highest level of Pitt Green Office certification at the University of Pittsburgh. This accomplishment reflects a commitment to sustainability in areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable transportation.
Major Projects
Collaborative Research Projects:
- Ansys: Conducted Life Cycle and Emissions Assessments to identify pathways for emissions reductions.
- CNX: Developed low-carbon fuel strategies with implementation recommendations.
- CONSOL: Created methane mitigation plans and explored solar installations on mine sites.
- Koppers: Developed sustainable procurement strategies and analyzed their potential benefits.
- People’s Gas: Mapped renewable energy pathways and assessed costs and feasibility.
- PITT OHIO: Designed a carbon calculator and proposed mine remediation plans.
- S&B USA: Evaluated public-private infrastructure partnerships for sustainability impact.
- Ductmate Industries: Assessed renewable energy scenarios for feasibility.
- HarbisonWalker: Conducted a market analysis for recycled materials and projected growth areas.
- PGH2O: Identified waste reduction opportunities, including cost-benefit analyses.
- Sloan Lubrication: Performed Life Cycle and Impact Analyses for steel products.
The Marshall Plan for Middle America
The Center for Sustainable Business was a key contributor to the “Marshall Plan for Middle America Roadmap,” a collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the Steel Valley Authority, and the Heartland Capital Strategies Network. This roadmap lays out a strategy for regional cooperation that brings together:
- Reliable research and evidence to help chart the path forward
- Governing institutions with identifiable infrastructure needs and community ties
- Companies to invest in long-term market development and support the 4. transition to more sustainable business practices
- Capital finance development
- Community oversight, transparency, and accountability
“The center has motivated me to align my long-term career goals with a sustainability outlook. After working with the CSB, I feel that I am well-equipped to ideate and innovate product development and bring those into line with the sustainability priorities.”
— Devesh Udasi, Graduate Student, University of Pittsburgh
Learn more about Pitt’s Center for Sustainable Business.
The post Pitt Center for Sustainable Business Celebrates 5 Years appeared first on Pitt Sustainability.