What is SOAR and why get involved?
SOAR is a University-wide sustainability campaign that helps Columbia schools and departments take meaningful, measurable action toward our sustainability goals. The program offers high-impact, vetted, and easy-to-implement actions that reduce emissions, save money, and support Plan 2030 priorities—especially Culture Change and Campus as a Living Lab. Participate to make sustainability part of everyday operations.
Learn More about Each Area of SOAR
Bottled water contributes to plastic waste, emissions from production and transport, and long-term pollution. The Office of Sustainability can help schools and departments transition away from bottled water by working with Facilities to identify feasible water connections and establish convenient water bottle filling stations in your building.
SOAR News
Columbia Sustainability Leaders Share Campus as Lab Insights at AASHE 2026
Columbia University’s Office of Sustainability joined sustainability professionals from across North America at the 2026 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Conference & Expo.
Staff Profile: Samreen Afzal, Director for Analytics in the Office of Sustainability
We asked Samreen some questions about how her work contributes to Columbia’s sustainability mission.
Columbia University’s First All-Electric Residence Hall at 611 West 112th Street Earns LEED Gold
Columbia University’s first all-electric residence hall at 611 W. 112th Street was awarded LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), marking the University’s first residence hall to receive LEED recognition.