SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS OPERATIONS
Greener together.
Now
is our moment.
Why us? Why now?
As the effects of climate change become more urgent each day, our response must meet the moment. Dartmouth has a responsibility to act and we are uniquely positioned to drive climate solutions—focusing on our unique sense of place, our history and ties to Native and Indigenous communities, our rural, cold-climate location, and, of course, talented and tireless community.
Dartmouth Climate Collaborative
The Dartmouth Climate Collaborative is a renewal of our commitment to meaningfully address climate change and sustainability at Dartmouth and beyond. We know the best solutions come when diverse perspectives are at the table, and this collaborative seeks to do just that, galvanizing the collective power of our community to realize a more sustainable, enduring future for us all. Over the next five years, Dartmouth will invest more than $500 million in capital improvements to accelerate our campus decarbonization efforts and meet new carbon goals to reduce emissions on campus 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2050.
Pillars of Action
DECARBONIZATION & SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
Dartmouth Sustainability, in collaboration with partners across campus, is working on a complete transformation of our campus energy system. Decarbonizing is complex, but we have a plan to get to carbon zero by 2050. Through a combination of energy efficiency, production, and distribution projects, we will reduce our campus carbon emissions to zero.
CAMPUS AS LAB &
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Experiential learning is essential to creating effective changemakers. Involving students in the process of developing and implementing real sustainability solutions on our campus and in our region gives our students a foundation of understanding that will prepare them for becoming movers and shakers in the world.
TEACHING
Every student at Dartmouth should leave with an understanding of sustainability and why action is so important. Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum in innovative ways is essential for shaping the next generation of thoughtful leaders. The Dartmouth Climate Futures Initiative will be a first step towards imagining what this will look like.
Campus Operations:
Our Approach
Our road map to a sustainable campus.
In 2023, Dartmouth Sustainability worked with faculty, staff, students and community experts to evaluate our campus operations and chart a path forward for each category. While we still have a long way to go, we feel this community-led process will lead us to a sustainable Dartmouth we could not have possibly imagined on our own!
The following are the set of recommended goals and strategies that resulted from our community process.
Landscape & Ecology
GOAL
Dartmouth will leverage its landscapes and land holdings to cultivate sustainable, thriving ecosystems.
.jpg)
Energy
GOAL
By 2050 at the latest, Dartmouth will reduce our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions to zero, with a 2030 milestone of at least 60% compared to 2010 baseline, without using offsets and working within our region.
Community
GOAL
Dartmouth will use its resources to advance sustainability and equity across our broader Upper Valley community.
Food
GOAL
Dartmouth will support and nourish regenerative, sustainable food systems.
.jpg)
Transportation
GOAL
Dartmouth will reduce the carbon emissions of transportation, improve the equity of mobility and will strive to maximize the social and environmental benefits of its transportation system.
Materials & Waste
GOAL
Dartmouth will leverage our purchasing, materials and waste management, and disposal to reduce environmental and social harms, and maximize positive impacts.
Water
GOAL
Dartmouth will incorporate community needs, scientific guidance, and regional best practices while managing campus water systems.
