Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Harvard set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below a 2006 baseline by 2016, inclusive of growth. As of the end of Fiscal Year 2010 emissions have decreased 10.4% including 3 million square feet of growth, 20.3% without growth (from base buildings). For the first time, every School at Harvard achieved energy reductions in the FY06-FY10 period. You can learn more about Harvard's efforts to reduce emissions on our Commitments page.
Harvard Green Buildings
Harvard University adopted Green Building Standards in 2009, which require at least LEED Gold certification and build upon the 2007 Green Building Guidelines. As of January 2012 Harvard has 95 buildings registered with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), 64 of which are certified, the highest number of certified projects of any U.S. university according to the USGBC. Given that buildings account for such a large percentage of energy used in the U.S., high-performance, energy-efficient buildings are a major part of reducing Harvard's greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Offices
In 2009, Harvard started the Green Office program, a four-step process for reducing energy use and waste in Harvard offices, and a simple way to involve your co-workers in making a more sustainable workplace. Do you have what it takes to achieve a Leaf 4 green office? You can also browse a list of the 145 offices that already participate.
Reducing Energy Use
Harvard’s Schools and departments are making big strides in reducing energy use across campus. Every day facility leaders join faculty, students and staff to implement energy saving projects in dorms, offices, classrooms and laboratories. To date, energy audits have been performed on 60% of the campus. As a result of that effort, Schools have implemented over 700 cost-effective energy conservation measures and have identified over 1,500 additional projects that will save money and cut energy use.
Renewable Energy at Harvard
In 2009, Harvard met 17.5% of its electricity needs through renewable sources, most of which is purchased energy. There are a number of small-scale on-site renewable energy installations on campus including building-integrated wind, photovoltaics, and solar-thermal for heating hot water. Learn more about Harvard's renewable energy efforts on our renewable energy page, which includes an interactive map of renewable energy projects and downloadable factsheets about different energy sources.
Recycling Rate
Harvard's recycling rate of 55% in 2008 is the highest recycling rate of the Ivy League. Take that, Yale! This is a result of a new SingleStream recycling process, new composting programs popping up in cafes, office buildings and dorms, not to mention student-led waste audits, freecycle events, reuse efforts such as the Harvard Reuse List and Harvard Surplus Center, and efforts of Green Teams across the campus. Learn more about a variety of efforts to reduce waste across the Harvard campus.
Green Loan Fund
The Green Campus Loan Fund is a $12 million revolving loan fund that provides up-front capital for projects that reduce Harvard's environmental impact. Loan fund projects save the University almost $4 million dollars per year and have a median return on investment of 27%. (That's a lot better than the stock market!)
Local Food
Depending on the season, 35-70% of produce featured on Harvard University Hospitality and Dining Services (HUHDS) menus is grown within 250 miles of our kitchens. 25% of the total budget is dedicated to locally produced foods. You can learn more on our "Food" page or learn about HUHDS' Food Literacy Project. Harvard holds two farmer's markets, one in Cambridge and one in Allston. Buy fresh produce, meet farmers, and see gourmet chef demos from mid-June through the last week of October.
Transportation
Each member of the Harvard community contributes to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Only 15% of Harvard employees drive to work alone, a very low rate even for an urban University. Thanks to generous commuter benefits, infrastructure support for bicycles, and the Departmental Bike program run by the Commuter Choice office, record numbers of Harvard commuters are reducing their transportation-related carbon footprint! Read more stories related to "Transportation."
