Climate leaders on and off the field 

Duke Athletics is stepping up to support the Duke Climate Commitment with a new initiative aimed at advancing sustainability and climate action across campus and beyond. 

The new Athletics Climate Team (ACT) is on a mission to align Duke Athletics with the university’s climate goals and to leverage the resources, platform and people of Duke Athletics to promote sustainable practices.  

The effort is being co-led bu Nina King, vice president and King-Compton Families Athletic Director, and Toddi Steelman, vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability, along with more than 40 members, including student-athletes, coaches and staff from across Duke.

“We’ve been working on sustainability within Duke Athletics for a long time—through our facilities, our operations, our teams and our behaviors,” King said. “ACT helps us bring all of that work together with a clear, strategic focus. It’s about using our platform to inspire meaningful change.” 

Steelman said this partnership showcases the breadth of the Duke Climate Commitment. 

“This partnership matters because Duke Athletics is unmatched in excellence,” Steelman said. “Our teams and athletes are leaders on and off campus. We couldn’t be more impressed and delighted at how Nina and the whole Duke Athletics team is committing so enthusiastically in thought and action to achieve real, lasting impact in our community both on campus and off. Our partnership is truly one of a kind.” 

Building on a Strong Foundation  

The creation of ACT builds upon years of grassroots and institutional efforts. Brandon Hersh ’24, a former student-athlete and the university’s first joint hire between Duke Athletics and the Office of Climate and Sustainability, has been a leader in this work. Hersh co-founded the Duke Sustainable Athletics Group (DSAG), which now includes more than 50 student-athletes representing a range of sports and academic disciplines.  

“DSAG laid the groundwork, showed that student-athletes care and proved there is a model for this work,” Hersh said. “Now, with ACT, we’re bringing ideas to scale across all of Duke Athletics.

“It’s about making sustainability at Duke sustainable itself— embedding it into our culture and seeking innovative solutions where they make sense.”  — Brandon Hersh ’24, a former student-athlete and the university’s first joint hire between Duke Athletics and the Office of Climate and Sustainability

DSAG has launched several successful initiatives, including athletic gear drives, “green games,” educational sessions and waste pilot programs. Each of these efforts are “repeatable and scalable by design,” Hersh said. The group’s successes demonstrate the potential of student-led and grassroots efforts to influence behavior and shape institutional values. 

In 2023, following the success of the “Zero Waste Initiative,” the Athletics Department hosted a successful Climate Commitment Football Game featuring the “Leave it in the Bowl Initiative” to support waste-stream sorting by Duke’s sustainability team.   

“When the incorporation of sustainability into Duke Athletics improves the experience and is operationally sound, fans respond positively,” Hersh said. “Athletics provides a unique opportunity to connect with people and encourage change.”  

A Broader Commitment 

Beyond internal operations, ACT is also fostering partnerships.

• One current academic project involves graduate students from a Nicholas School in environmental sciences energy course, who are conducting a comprehensive water use assessment of Duke’s football practice fields. Their findings could inform broader landscaping practices across campus.   
• As part of Earth Month activity and Duke Athletics “week of service,” student-athletes are participating in farming and gardening projects at Duke Campus Farm by getting their hands in the soil and at the same time learning about locally-grown, sustainable food production.  
• Duke has been a leader for over a decade in the Athletic Coast Conference’s Sports Sustainability Team. This summer, Duke Athletics welcomed leaders from across the country to the Collegiate Sports Sustainability Conference, the first-ever national conference on athletics and sustainability. The event underscored Duke’s commitment not only to its own climate goals, but also to advance the role of athletics in global sustainability conversations nationwide.  
• Looking ahead, the ACT team has outlined three priority areas: Operations and Physical Environment, Engagement and Education, and Leadership and Innovation. The team is developing a strategic plan to guide its efforts, balancing ambition with practical resource management.  

As the ACT team continues to pursue sustainability and mobilize the Duke community and fans, they will share plans and progress, offering fans and visitors an inside look at how Duke Athletics is working to be more efficient and sustainable, and share how others can get involved.  

“Whether you’re an athlete or a fan, you can support the Athletics Climate Team. The entire campus and community is included,” said Lindsay Batchelor, director of climate and sustainability. “Duke Athletics leads a meaningful shared experience, and ACT will help carry that momentum forward for the climate.”  

Did You Know?

• Blue Devil Tower at Wallace Wade Stadium is LEED Silver certified. 

• Nearly all athletic facilities feature LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures and anti-microbial lighting in locker rooms.  

• Training table meals are sourced in part from local farms and producers.  

• The field hockey team’s vibrant blue turf is not only water-efficient but also made primarily from sugar cane-based material.   

• Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium is the first NCAA Division I outdoor college sports venue to be lit with LED lighting.