Protecting the World that Sustains Us
APEI recognizes the importance of leading by example. Our students’ achievements in sustainability are bolstered
by our own environmental practices. For this reason, our organization invests in technologies and programs that
enable us to reduce our carbon footprint and business waste. APUS, our largest subsidiary, is leading the way
with its pledge to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050 as a charter signatory to the American College and
University Presidents Climate Commitment (now called Second
Nature).
As an online institution, APUS has an inherently lower carbon footprint than traditional brick-and-mortar
universities—requiring no physical grounds to maintain, and thus eliminating the need for students and
instructors to commute. At the same time, APEI’s nursing schools (RU and HCN) offer flexible programs that
require in-person attendance only when necessary. By combining online course offerings with conveniently located
campuses, these universities reduce the need for long commutes, thereby further preventing pollution.
APEI’s long-term environmental goals aim to emit less than 0.23 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per
full-time enrollment (FTE) annually by 2030. Additionally, APEI has set targets to achieve a 20% reduction in
non-hazardous waste per FTE by 2030, following up with a 50% reduction by 2050. APEI established 2022 as the
base year for emissions, non-hazardous waste, and other sustainability comparisons following its transformative
acquisition of Rasmussen University in 2021.
In 2023, APEI’s overall emissions remained stable year-over-year, surpassing our stated goals and reflecting our
continued commitment to long-term sustainability. APEI and its subsidiaries collectively reported emissions of
0.206 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per FTE in both 2022 and 2023. This achievement underscores the
effectiveness of our sustainability initiatives, including the implementation and ongoing support of remote work
practices, particularly at APUS.
APUS itself emitted only 0.044 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per FTE in 2023, significantly better than our
overall long-term goal. In 2023, APEI further enhanced its climate disclosure transparency by becoming a Climate
Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting company.
Our commitment to these goals is best demonstrated by our investment in renewable energy and energy-efficient
administrative buildings. In October 2009, APUS broke ground on a new, energy-efficient academic center in an
EPA-targeted revitalization corridor within Charles Town, WV. This building earned LEED-Gold certification by
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Similarly, our finance center—which was built in 2011—also earned
LEED-platinum certification. Both buildings were constructed with low-VOC (volatile organic compounds)
materials, and we continue to use Green Seal products for all cleaning and kitchen supplies. APUS also employs a
comprehensive recycling program—which APEI plans to introduce to the rest of the organization—that includes
batteries, paper, plastic, metal, cardboard, and light bulbs.