Georgia Tech’s formal approach to sustainability began in 1992 when it received a $1 million grant from the General Electric Foundation to establish the Center for Sustainable Technology (CST). Under the direction of Dr. Carol Carmichael, the Center provided a foundation for campus-wide education on the principles of sustainability and brought together faculty to weave these concepts into the curricula.

On Earth Day 1999, the Center expanded to become the Institute for Sustainable Technology and Development (ISTD). Led at various times by Carmichael, Professor Bert Bras, and Professor Charles Liotta, the ISTD continued to serve as Georgia Tech’s chief advocate on sustainability issues – developing and implementing comprehensive curriculum, research, and campus management programs.

The Institute expanded again with a generous gift and was renamed the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) in 2009. Led by Professor John Crittenden, the BBISS embodies Georgia Tech’s commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future through a comprehensive and innovative systems-based approach to creating technological, management and policy solutions to challenges facing society in the 21st century.

For a more extensive history of sustainability at Georgia Tech, please visit the history page on the Georgia Tech Campus Sustainability website.