Harvard University has announced its five-year sustainability plan, which  will apply new “green” standards in an effort to reduce waste and energy use. Heather Henriksen, director of Harvard's Office of Sustainability, shared that Arizona State University’s plan served as a direct model for Harvard.

In a Harvard Crimson article, Henriksen explained that while other universities' sustainability plans focus on climate change and emissions, ASU’s is more holistic. She cited faculty involvement in sustainability research and teaching, along with greater emphasis on everyday campus operations and health, as examples.

ASU's framework for addressing the challenges of sustainability incorporates four pillars; namely, education, research, business practices, and global partnerships and transformation. The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability serves as the hub of ASU's overall sustainability initiatives. ASU's School of Sustainability, one of the first such schools in the country, trains the next generation of sustainability practitioners, entrepreneurs and leaders.