Sustainable Campus
Yale has made a significant commitment in recent years to maintaining a “green” campus and serving as a leading example of how a large research university can pursue its mission while reducing its environmental impact. Yale’s efforts draw on the energy and passion of many of its students and the support and guidance of expert faculty and staff.
Through the environmental principles it has adopted and the coordination of the Office of Sustainability, Yale pursues environmentally sound policies and practices in such areas as energy, building design and construction, transportation, food and waste management. The distinctive Yale Sustainable Food Project oversees a sustainable dining program with a seasonal menu, manages a model college farm, and supports academic and educational endeavors related to food and agriculture.
In 2005, Yale adopted the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 10% below 1990 levels by the year 2020.
In announcing the University’s goal, President Richard C. Levin said:
By adopting this goal Yale is one of the first universities in the country to commit to a fifteen-year strategic energy plan. We intend to reach our goal through a combination of a strong energy conservation program, investing in alternative energy sources, purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates, and implementing on-site renewable and clean energy demonstration projects.
Every one of us on campus has a role to play in helping achieve this goal, by conserving energy and by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that flow from its use. Effective conservation programs can further free up funds within the University budget that will in turn be invested in renewable and non-CO2 emitting forms of energy.
