ABOUT
A COMMITMENT TO OUR FUTURE
Villanova’s guiding principles of Veritas, Unitas and Caritas shape the 10-year Sustainability Plan that the University formally adopted in 2020—a plan that also is essential to the University Strategic Plan 2020–2030, Rooted. Restless. The Sustainability Plan details the measurable actions that Villanova is taking to achieve an ethos of sustainable living in every aspect of campus life.
Through rigorous academic programs and the research of expert faculty, Villanova advances knowledge in critical areas such as resilient water systems, energy-smart electronics, biodiversity loss, coral bleaching, the societal impact of extreme weather and climate change and public health, to name a few.
On campus, Villanova has committed to sustainability best-practices, promoted environmental ethics, and ensured that our constituents understand the ecological and socioeconomic impact of their daily choices on the world and on future generations. A steady growth in the number of LEED-certified buildings, more efficient recycling efforts, including significant improvement in recycling construction waste, the installation of hydration stations in buildings across campus, the use of energy-efficient LED lighting, and the purchase of local and sustainable foods by Dining Services are just some of the noteworthy sustainability achievements to date.
LAUDATO SI’ UNIVERSITY PLEDGE
In 2021, under the leadership of University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Villanova publicly committed to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Action Platform toward integral ecology. The University pledged to develop a customized plan to take decisive action and build a better future in the spirit of the Gospel and from the rich experience of St. Augustine.
Villanova continues to be inspired by Pope Leo XIV, who has made care for creation and environmental stewardship a focus of his papacy.
AN AUGUSTINIAN PERSPECTIVE
Augustinian tradition emphasizes service to and care for one’s community. Caring for and about what we hold in common is our vocation. God is our common inheritance; creation, our common good; the earth, our common home. They are given to all of us to cherish, share and bequeath to future generations. “Let us love God, for he made these things and he is not far off, for he did not make them and then go away: they are from him but also in him.” (Confessions, IV, 12, 128)