Among the Schools and Units that make up Harvard University, there are a great variety of activities, policies, and practices that are lessening Harvard's impact on the environment. You can read about those by exploring the School pages on this site.
Harvard-wide commitments
On a University-wide scale, Harvard has made four overarching commitments:
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Greenhouse Gas Reduction Commitment
Harvard University has committed to a GHG reduction goal of a 30 percent reduction from Fiscal Year 2006 levels by 2016, including growth. The goal was set based on the recommendations of a Task Force, made up of faculty, students, and senior administrators, established by President Faust in the spring of 2008 to recommend a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal for the University.
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Sustainability Principles
Harvard University contributes to the global environment and human well-being in several important ways. Through its primary mission of research, education, and outreach, Harvard’s faculty have made significant advances in many areas including, science, economics, public policy, design, medicine, and public health. The University’s academic contributions provide a considerable opportunity and responsibility to consider the example set by the economic, human health, and environmental performance of its campus. Harvard also influences generations of students whose future behaviors and decisions are shaped by what they learn from their campus experience and the actions of the University’s leaders.
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University-wide Temperature Policy
The Harvard University Temperature Policy provides a framework to assist building managers and occupants in achieving a healthy, productive, and safe working environment while reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions to the lowest practicable level. This Policy was implemented in July 2009 on the recommendation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal Executive Committee and Building Efficiency and Demand Management Working Group. Specific temperature policies and building management policies are implemented by the individual School and Unit Facilities Departments.
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Green Building Guidelines
Harvard's Green Building Guidelines represent the integration of sustainability into routine practices. The Guidelines include achievement of a minimum of LEED Silver, specific required LEED Credits, the practice of Life Cycle Costing throughout the project, and use of the Integrated Design approach. There are separate guidelines for projects over $5 million and those under $5 million.
Read More (Green Building Resource website)
