Facilities and Operations Implements Sustainable Initiatives in Alignment with Plan 2030

A new electric SUV that was purchased for the Public Safety fleet is parked on College Walk, with Butler Library in the background.

Plan 2030 Year 2 Update

On Earth Day 2023, Columbia celebrated the second full year of the release of its Sustainability Plan 2030 by sharing a two year progress update, detailing recent progress on sustainability efforts across the University. Aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Science-Based Target Initiative, Plan 2030 sets the University on an aggressive trajectory to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.

Highlights of campus sustainability initiatives implemented by departments across Facilities and Operations to are found below. Read the full two-year progress update to learn more.

Public Safety’s Gradual Transition to Electric Vehicles Results in 33 Percent Reduction in Annual Fleet Emissions

Through gradually transitioning its vehicles to hybrid and electric as they need to be replaced, Public Safety has greatly reduced its emissions. Public Safety acquired five new patrol vehicles this past winter, which offer improved sustainability performance and support Plan 2030, bringing Public Safety's hybrid and electric fleet up to 21 hybrid vehicles, three electric vehicles, and one plug-in hybrid vehicle. As the 2022 reporting year came to a close, it was revealed that the department has achieved a 33 percent drop in fuel consumption since 2019, which is the baseline year for Plan 2030.

New LED Lighting Upgrades Help Advance Building Sustainability

Campus Operations completed a pilot program to replace incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs in eight campus buildings – comprised of nearly 1.2 million square feet and 11,000 fixtures – to help reduce the University’s energy consumption. The upgrades helped conserve about 1,900 Megawatt hours of electricity, and reduced campus emissions by 560 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

The success from the pilot paved the way for a multi-year initiative aimed to reduce energy consumption through lighting across the entire Morningside campus, with LED lighting conversions continuing over the next several years. When complete, the conversion is anticipated to result in a significant reduction in energy consumption and operating costs, in line with Columbia’s sustainability goals.

Columbia Housing Donates More Than 1,800 Pieces of Furniture to Domestic and Ukraine Charities

Following upgrades and renovations to Hogan Hall, Schapiro Hall, and East Campus in summer 2022, Columbia Housing had more than 1,800 gently used items of furniture in need of a new home. As part of the University’s commitment to sustainability, Columbia Housing sought a smart recycling solution and partnered with IRN: The Reuse Network. With IRN’s help, Columbia Housing was able to divert 150,372 pounds of waste from landfills while supporting one international and six domestic charities. Donations support organizations like domestic healthcare charities, disaster recovery, furniture recovery and even a group focused on Ukraine relief efforts.

Design and Construction Sustainability Standards to be Developed

To align with the goals established in Plan 2030 for project-based sustainability efforts, Planning and Capital Project Management and Manhattanville Development Group will assess, update, and create policies to deliver a new sustainability standard that ensures all building design and construction decisions are aligned with Plan 2030 science-based targets and Local Law 97 (LL97), ensuring the University meets them.

Electrification Studies Yield Pathways to Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Operations recently conducted studies to develop a Strategic Decarbonization Master Plan that would meet Plan 2030 and NYC Local Law 97 emissions reduction requirements. Recommendations from the studies include electrification of the Morningside campus Central Energy Plant as well as potential electrification and energy efficiency initiatives at the Manhattanville and Medical Center campuses.

Columbia Achieves 100 Percent Net Zero Emissions Electricity

Columbia sustained its commitment to 100 percent renewable electricity in 2022 for its campus facilities at Morningside, Nevis, Baker, Manhattanville, the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center by taking action to mitigate emissions associated with its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from purchased electricity.

Since 2018, Columbia University has voluntarily addressed its Scope 2 GHG emissions from Purchased Electricity with the use of environmental attributes from renewable energy and carbon offsetting projects.

For more information on Columbia's sustainability efforts, visit the Sustainable Columbia website.