In honor of Earth Month in April, Duke Chapel was illuminated in green. Duke Chapel's exterior lighting is part of a broad campus energy and cost saving initiative using LED lights. 

Request for Proposals (RFP) invites ambitious, well-designed educational projects that advance climate and sustainability fluency across the Duke University community. Proposals are welcome from Duke faculty and staff. Approximately 10–15 projects will receive funding. Individual awards will range between $1,000–$20,000. Funded projects will be implemented during Academic Year 2026–2027. Proposals are due May 15.

Duke University’s Office of Climate and Sustainability and the National University of Singapore (NUS) welcome proposals for NUS-Duke University Joint Sustainability Research Initiative Grants. This initiative aims to kick-start collaborations in climate and sustainability-related research between the two universities. Each institution has committed approximately $400,000 in funding to support up to four selected projects. Proposals are due June 1.

Eight honorees received 2026 Climate Commitment Leadership Awards at the annual Duke Climate Commitment Celebration event Thursday, April 9. The awards recognize students, staff, and faculty who demonstrate leadership in climate and sustainability efforts in support of Duke’s Climate Commitment and who embody its vision. This year’s group came from across Duke.

Applications are open for Green Devil internship positions - paid, project-based opportunities designed to elevate student leadership in sustainability. These positions run from August 2026-May 2027. From creative storytelling to campus circularity strategy, climate dialogue to leadership teams, roles span a wide range of sustainability and climate themes. Whether you’re a communicator, organizer, researcher, or hands-on problem-solver, there’s a Green Devil role for you. Apply by Monday, May 11th at 9am. Questions? Reach out to Sophia Masciarelli.

Student-athlete Sydney Tomlak's experience with a first-year course that connected environmental science to real-world impact inspired her to get more involved at Duke, and later lead the Duke Sustainable Athletics Group (DSAG). Upon graduation in May, she will pursue a career helping drive the transition to clean energy.

When Tavey Capps, above left with Dr. Toddi Steelman, joined Duke’s new Office of Sustainability in 2006, the university was already moving toward a greener future. From grassroots change to carbon neutrality, see how Duke grew greener. Working@Duke - celebrating 20 years - documents two decades of sustainability successes. (Photo from Climate Road Trip - Duke Reclamation Pond)

After 19 years of leadership, Bill LeFevre, executive director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens, is preparing to retire in October 2026. Since joining Duke in October 2007 as the first full-time director of Duke Gardens, LeFevre has guided a period of extraordinary growth and transformation, including the opening of the Garden Gateway in April.

“Bill LeFevre’s leadership has transformed Duke Gardens into one of the nation’s premier public gardens and a treasured resource for both the Duke community and visitors from around the world,” said Toddi Steelman, Vice President and Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability at Duke University. “His vision and stewardship have ensured that the Gardens will continue to inspire, educate and serve for generations to come. We are committed to a thoughtful leadership transition that builds on Bill’s legacy and dedication to excellence, innovation and impact.”  

A committee has been appointed to lead the search for the next Executive Director. 

Oceans Week at Duke (March 23-27) featured the Blue Economy Summit alongside a series of events focused on ocean and climate solutions—key priorities within the Duke Climate Commitment. From new financial models for coastal protection to emerging blue technologies, the week underscored how ocean research is being translated into scalable, real-world impact for sustainability in the blue economy.

Associate Professor AnnMarie L. Walton, PhD, RN, MPH, FAAN, a nationally recognized oncology nurse researcher, is leading conversations about how climate change is increasing cancer risk, disrupting cancer care, and challenging healthcare systems—while also calling for nursing leadership in climate action. As Dr. Walton emphasizes, “Climate change is not a distant environmental issue. It’s a health issue that is showing up in our clinics, hospitals, and communities right now.” 

The second Climate Action Day organized by the Climate Action Collaborative to Promote Reproductive Health (CACRH) based in the Duke Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, focused on more resilient communities — and ways health professionals and others in our communities can help. 

The third annual “From Billions to Trillions” summit addressed unlocking the funding needed to scale clean energy and other climate solutions worldwide. It drew 500 leaders from energy, tech, finance, government, academia and philanthropy. 

Duke University achieved carbon neutrality in 2024 and 2025 and is now building the strategy to achieve net-zero emissions and developing its sustainable operations roadmap for non-carbon aspects (including buildings, food, transportation, procurement, waste, water and natural resources). In the spring of 2025, Duke convened the Carbon Reduction Resource Allocation Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee (CRRAAAC), a representative body of faculty, staff, and students, to help determine the path forward regarding carbon offsets. The committee recommended the reallocation of offset resources towards direct and additive net-zero and sustainability initiatives in support of Duke’s climate goals. University leadership met with the CRRAAAC in September 2025, commending its work and sharing that Duke plans to advance its net‑zero goals by aligning capital investments, especially building and utility infrastructure renewal, with its Climate Commitment rather than significant further investment in carbon offsets. Reflected in the current five‑year University capital plan, this shift from growth to renewal prioritizes efficiency and preservation of embodied carbon to achieve greater long‑term decarbonization impact on campus. A final CRRAAAC meeting was held in April 2026 and clarified that additionality considerations would not be included in plans moving forward given the shift to renewal and the larger capital investments entailed in this commitment. Efforts to define a Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 Plan are currently under way.

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe visited Duke University on April 23 for a climate conversation with Stanback Dean Lori Snyder Bennear of Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment, introduced by Toddi Steelman, Vice President/Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability at Duke. Thank you to community members, students, faculty and staff for joining us for this special Earth Month event in Goodson Chapel of Duke Divinity School.

Duke celebrated the entire month of April with Earth Month events and moments around the entire campus. Here are a few snapshots of the energy and activity!

In order: School of Nursing Planetary Health Fair (April 1), Duke Athletics Day of Service at Duke Campus Farm (April 15), Duke Arts Field Notes (April 17), Earthfest (April 17), Let's Talk About Climate Change Student Showcase (April 19), Climate and Sustainability Impact Showcase (April 21), Arbor Day Campus Tree Planting (April 7), Garden Gateway Opening (April 8), Duke Chapel in green (April 17-23). 

May 1 - Deadline for Duke Campus Farm Summer CSA 

May 6-7 - Heat Season Warmup Workshop

May 8 - Carolinas Wild Butterflies: Identification and Monitoring

May 11 - Deadline for Green Devils applications

May 14 - Deadline for Applications: Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability

May 15 - Climate and Sustainability Education Innovation Fund: Request for Faculty and Staff Proposals due

May 29 - Climate and Fungi (CLIF) Symposium II