Georgia Tech’s formal approach to sustainability began in 1992 when it received a $1 million grant from the General Electric Foundation to establish the Center for Sustainable Technology (CST). Under the direction of Dr. Carol Carmichael, the Center provided a foundation for campus-wide education on the principles of sustainability and brought together faculty to weave these concepts into the curricula.
On Earth Day 1999, the Center expanded to become the Institute for Sustainable Technology and Development (ISTD). Led at various times by Carmichael, Professor Bert Bras, and Professor Charles Liotta, the ISTD continued to serve as Georgia Tech’s chief advocate on sustainability issues – developing and implementing comprehensive curriculum, research, and campus management programs.
The Institute expanded again with a generous gift and was renamed the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) in 2009. BBISS embodies Georgia Tech’s commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future through a comprehensive and innovative systems-based approach to creating technological, management, and policy solutions to challenges facing society in the 21st century.
This video highlights the thirty-year anniversary (in 2022) since Georgia Tech established CST and formally began an initiative to move towards sustainability.
History of Sustainability at Georgia Tech
The timeline that follows provides a broader view of the history of sustainability at Georgia Tech and BBISS’ central role in its evolution.
First Three African American Students
In 1961, three African American college students integrated the Institute after 76 years of serving only white students. Remembering our past and committing to centering equity in our sustainability journey is how we build a better future for all.
Advanced Components Test Facility
The Georgia Tech Research Institute completed a 325 kW solar thermal test facility, featuring 500 mirrors that focused sunlight onto a central receiver. This facility was used to test high-temperature materials, explore biomass conversion to fuels, and demonstrate solar-powered electricity generation.
Center for Sustainable Technology (CST) was established
In 1992, the Center for Sustainable Technology (CST) was established to integrate sustainability into education campus-wide. Faculty from all of Georgia Tech's colleges were convened to weave these concepts into curricula.
The Center for Sustainable Technology expanded
The Center for Sustainable Technology expanded its scope to include interdisciplinary research when it became the Institute for Sustainable Technology and Development (ISTD) in 1999.
The Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) was established
The Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) was established in 2004. SEI showcases Georgia Tech’s impact by demonstrating how clean and diverse energy sources can reduce climate impacts and operational costs while improving social equity and national security.
Office of Environmental Stewardship was established
President Clough signed onto the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which pledged the Institute to pursue carbon neutrality by 2050. The same year, the Office of Environmental Stewardship was established, which later became the Office of Campus Sustainability.
GT expanded ISTD into the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS)
Georgia Tech expanded ISTD into the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS). BBISS embodies Georgia Tech’s commitment to a just, sustainable, and prosperous future through a comprehensive systems-based approach to developing scientific, technological, management, policy, and sociocultural solutions to our sustainability challenges.
Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business (ACSB) was launched
To connect the Institute’s sustainability work to the business community, the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business (ACSB) was launched to act as a catalyst and connector for transformative business leadership.
Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) launched
The Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI), originally the Institute for Paper Science and Technology, was launched in 2014 as an Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI) to reflect its expanded scope of research relating to biomass materials.
Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) was launched
The Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) was launched to equip Georgia Tech students with the skills to collaborate with community partners to address key sustainability challenges in their professions and their civic lives. SLS emphasized social sustainability and equity within Georgia Tech’s sustainability ecosystem.
Launched the endowed Energy, Policy, and Innovation Center (EPICenter)
Georgia Tech launched the endowed Energy, Policy, and Innovation Center (EPICenter) to connect Georgia Tech energy expertise to regional policymakers, elected officials, and the public in deploying equitable, resilient, low-carbon energy solutions.
Established sustainability networks spanning the local to the global
In this five-year period, Georgia Tech helped establish sustainability networks spanning the local to the global: UN Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, Greater Atlanta (2017), the University Global Coalition (2019) to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact (2021).
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design was opened
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design was opened to the campus and public. Abiding by a strict design and construction process, as well as a rigorous programming framework, the Kendeda building obtained Living Building Challenge certification in 2021, the most challenging ecological building certification program in the world.
Restructuring creates Infrastructure and Sustainability (I&S)
Georgia Tech restructured its facilities management organization to become Infrastructure and Sustainability (I&S), responding to a recommendation from the Institute Strategic Plan, to more intentionally integrate sustainability and lead by example with campus operations.
The Georgia Tech EcoCommons was completed
The Georgia Tech EcoCommons was completed and opened to the pubic. The EcoCommons is an 8-acre engineered urban landscape designed to restore part of the original watershed, rebuild native habitats, manage stormwater, and serve as a living laboratory for students and faculty.
Office of Sustainability created
The Office of Campus Sustainability was restructured into the Office of Sustainability, sitting within Infrastructure & Sustainability to bridge sustainability efforts across research, education, and operations. It was expanded to include the departments of utilities, sustainable buildings, and the Kendeda Building.
Georgia Tech launched its Climate Action Plan
Georgia Tech launched its Climate Action Plan and became a key partner of the New York Climate Exchange, which will train and educate the next generation of climate experts, sparking cutting-edge research and innovation in the fight to combat the climate crisis.
Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education (SCoRE) created
SLS was institutionalized as the Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education (SCoRE), housed within BBISS, to deepen the Institute's capabilities to conduct integrated community-engaged sustainability research and education.