Background
The 2026 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI) will include minor changes in light of a mix of STARS Version 3.0 as well as Version 2.2 reports being accepted. Similar to our 2025 update, the SCI will once again include consolidated impact areas in the Operations category.
- Energy & Climate (V3) combines Air & Climate and Energy (V2)
- Buildings & Grounds (V3) combines Buildings, Grounds, and Water (V2)
- Procurement & Waste (V3) combines Purchasing and Waste (V2)
Updated Counts for Performer Lists
As in 2025, the SCI will have two separate top performer lists in each area, one for institutions using STARS 2.2, and another for institutions using STARS 3.0.
For 2026, we will list the top five performers using STARS 3.0 and the top five performers using STARS 2.2. We are moving to a five-five split because 3.0 reports comprised roughly half of reports considered in this year’s SCI. As in past years, we anticipate that some impact areas will have multi-way ties that result in lists with something other than 5 recognized institutions.
There are likely to be situations in which average scores in some impact areas are notably higher (or lower) in STARS 3.0 (e.g., if the impact area got significantly harder in 3.0). We will include graphical analysis to provide clarity around potential scoring differences.
Beyond the 2026 SCI
We intend for the SCI top performer lists to remain aligned with the latest version of STARS, and will continue to use the Version 3 impact areas as long as they remain valid. In 2027 and beyond, the split of Version 2.2 and Version 3.0 reports in top performer lists may change again. When only a small number of 2.2 reports remain valid for recognition, the lists may be co-mingled.
For questions, email stars@aashe.org.