Organizational Structures

The Duke Climate Commitment is an institution-wide invitation to participate in Duke’s climate and sustainability efforts; no single entity on campus has sole ownership of the Climate Commitment. However, to provide a strategic direction, advice, coordination, communication, and collaboration of endeavors in support of the Climate Commitment, organizational structures were developed to guide governance and implementation of key Climate Commitment activities. These structures include the Climate Commitment Advisory Council, established in January 2024, and the Office of Climate and Sustainability, initially formed in summer 2023 and restructured in summer 2024.

Education and Campus Engagement

Duke University seeks to educate and empower a climate-and sustainability-fluent campus community and alumni network that understands anthropogenic climate change and its origins and is well-equipped to address it by innovating and implementing creative, scientifically-informed, just and responsible solutions. The intention is to create an immersive, interdisciplinary educational ecosystem for learning about climate and sustainability in and out of the classroom. 

Research

Duke engages in meaningful research that advances discovery, as well as mitigates, responds, and adapts to climate change. This work is prioritized in a three-pronged goal:

• Become a globally recognized thought and action leader in three areas — Climate Policy and Finance, Climate and Health, and Oceans — where Duke has distinctive advantages;
• Grow new areas where Duke has made investments in demonstrated strengths — Environmental and Climate Justice, Climate and Community Resilience, and Climate Science and Technology; and
• Continue to create opportunities for widespread participation and inclusion for Duke’s research community.

Duke aims to see more faculty, students, and staff recognize and choose Duke because they want to be part of the thriving interdisciplinary community of scholarship and action.

Sustainable Operations

Duke strives to be a bold and visible example of living, working, and practicing Climate Commitment values. Sustainability and decarbonization are key priorities in university decision making. Duke University aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions including the Duke University Health System as well as support sustainable operations in energy, water, transportation, waste diversion, procurement, food and natural spaces. 

External Engagement

Duke engages with decision-makers and practitioners outside the University, advancing its capacity to serve as an honest broker and convenor to bring parties together to tackle climate and sustainability challenges. Through this work, Duke attracts corporate, NGO, alumni, philanthropic, decision makers, and research partners to join in the work of the Climate Commitment and meaningfully engage with the communities this work touches.  

Community Partnerships

Duke invests in authentic partnerships — especially in Durham, the region and across NC — through robust mechanisms to source community-based problems to co-create a more sustainable place to work and live. The University leverages its unique position as an academic leader and community partner to advance community-based climate and sustainability work in collaboration with the Duke Community Affairs (DCA).