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Environmental sustainability

Harvard's Sustainability Report Highlights Progress Toward Net-Zero Emissions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Harvard's 2024 sustainability report presents a positive outlook for the University's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report notes that campus net emissions have flatlined for the ninth consecutive year, positioning the University to achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2026. This milestone is largely attributed to the success of Harvard's renewable energy projects, including a consortium with MIT and Massachusetts General Brigham that will add 1.3 million megawatt-hours of renewable electricity to the U.S. grid annually. These projects are expected to avoid an estimated 1 million tons of emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Harvard's campus net greenhouse gas emissions have remained flat for the ninth straight year, keeping the University on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2026.
  • The Harvard Endowment's annual climate report remains unavailable, six months after its expected publication date.
  • The Consortium for Climate Solutions, a renewable energy aggregation between Harvard, MIT, and Massachusetts General Brigham, established two large-scale renewable energy projects that will add 1.3 million megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually to the U.S. grid.
  • These projects have avoided an estimated 1 million tons of emissions, and Harvard will aim to purchase 100% of its electricity from renewable sources starting in 2026.
  • The University is expanding its fleet of electric vehicles, bringing the total number of EVs to 18, with nearly one-third of its fleet powered by electricity.
  • Harvard is on track to cut food-related emissions by 25 percent by 2030, and has already reduced its food-related emissions by 13.55 percent.

Statistics:

  • 1.3 million megawatt-hours of renewable electricity will be added to the U.S. grid annually through the Consortium for Climate Solutions.
  • 1 million tons of emissions are estimated to be avoided through Harvard's renewable energy projects.
  • 100% of Harvard's electricity purchases will come from renewable sources starting in 2026.
  • 18 electric vehicles are part of Harvard's fleet, with nearly one-third of its fleet powered by electricity.
  • 14 percent is the campus physical expansion, while 40 percent is the reduction in emissions per square foot.

Sources:

  • Harvard's 2024 Sustainability Report
  • Heather Henriksen, Harvard's chief sustainability officer
  • Consortium for Climate Solutions
  • The Sunrise Movement
  • Harvard's Sunrise Movement;
  • The Crimson Editorial

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