Meet Northwestern's New Director of Sustainability, Greg Kozak

Greg joined sustainNU in September 2019. As director, Greg is responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of Northwestern’s sustainability programs. A core component of this work involves collaborating with administrators, faculty, staff and students to integrate sustainability into both the operational and academic functions of the University. His expertise is in the areas of global and U.S. climate change policy and regulations, carbon markets, greenhouse gas management, and sustainability.

Greg came to Northwestern from United Airlines where he led cross-divisional sustainability programs and provided leadership to United’s environmental strategy, reputation, and related advocacy and communication efforts. Prior to joining United, he worked as an environmental consultant assisting clients in various industries on environmental issues including sustainable business practices and sustainability strategy development.

Originally from South Bend, Indiana, he now lives in Chicago where he enjoys live music and traveling with his wife and two children. Greg earned a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability.

Q: What drew you to Northwestern?

A: If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be working at Northwestern I wouldn’t have believed you. I loved my time at United. The aviation industry is fascinating from the perspective that there’s a plethora of environmental and sustainability challenges, but also opportunities to do some pretty innovative things. So I wasn’t actively looking outside of United, but when this role became available, I knew I had to jump at the chance. What I love about this position is that it combines two passions of mine—academia and sustainability. My father was a professor and I grew up in college towns my whole life, so it’s always been in my DNA and now I have the opportunity combine that with my passion for sustainability.

Q: What are you working on right now?

A: Northwestern released its Strategic Sustainability Plan in fiscal year 2018. We’re now in fiscal year 2020, so we’re more than halfway into the implementation of that plan. I’m doing a deep dive into our data and metrics, to see how the university is tracking against its sustainability commitment areas— the built environment, resource conservation, transportation, experiential learning and communications & engagement. Some areas we’re doing well. For example, we’re on track to meet our goal of reducing our energy intensity by 20% by 2020 compared to our 2010 baseline, whereas other areas require more focus, so that’s what I’m concentrating on.

Additionally, when you look at the University’s environmental impact from a carbon footprint perspective, it’s all about the built environment so we’re laser focused on energy and water efficiency. The sustainNU and facilities leadership team is currently evaluating a number of innovative public-private partnerships (P3s), which will focus on demand-site energy management, energy efficiency, renewables procurement, on-site generation, as well as energy infrastructure. That’s where we have the opportunity to make a huge positive impact.

Q: What do you want people to know about you and/or sustainNU?

A: Those who’ve worked with me would describe me as competitive, sometimes to a fault. I didn’t come to Northwestern to ensure we’re viewed as a leader in this space. I want Northwestern to be the leader in this space. Fortunately, I’ve inherited an awesome team with a tremendous amount of passion, institutional knowledge, and collaborative spirit. All the ingredients are in place at the University—from the Office of the President, to the Facilities team, to our faculty and students—to do some great things from a sustainability perspective.

Q: What’s your favorite tip for sustainability?

A: Adjusting your thermostat a few degrees when you know you’ll be away from home or the office. That’s my lame one. Another one that I heard recently that I really liked—particularly when you think about NU students and what actions they can take—was one our dining and catering partner Compass told me, “Take what you need and eat what you take.” Even though we have partnerships with food rescue groups, food waste is a tremendous challenge for the University on a daily basis and in our dining facilities.