Higher Education Decarbonization Playbook

Designed to provide colleges and universities with actionable and financially viable strategies to significantly reduce campus carbon emissions.

From assessing current building conditions and engaging key stakeholders, to strategic planning and implementation, we’ve created a guide to campus decarbonization. Plus, we’ve provided key information on funding and financing, case studies of campus decarbonization projects, and other helpful resources.

Our goal is to make carbon reduction more accessible to institutions, by making the process as simple as possible.

Key Benefits of Decarbonization

Reducing carbon emissions has powerful benefits across the board.

Environmental: Decarbonization is crucial for mitigating global warming, reducing harmful air pollutants, and protecting biodiversity.
Economic: Reduced energy consumption can lead to significant cost savings. And with more students interested in the clean energy transition, a decarbonized campus could be a selling point that increases enrollment.
Health: Cleaner air and a healthier environment contribute to physically and mentally healthier students, faculty and staff.
Resilience: Decarbonization reduces reliance on fossil fuel-based energy grids, which means an improved ability to withstand and recover from disruptions like power outages.

Why Higher Ed Institutions Are Paving the Way

Colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in the transition to renewable energy sources through:

Infrastructure and Operations: Many campuses have centralized energy systems which make it easier to implement a large-scale clean energy transition. And, campuses often have a backlog of building infrastructure upgrades and repairs that can be tackled in a holistic decarbonization effort, so it’s a win-win.
Community Impact: An institution committed to decarbonization has the power to transfer crucial knowledge about mitigating climate change across campus and far beyond. Enthused students become changemakers and with the research-backed solutions, local communities and policymakers can be empowered to make decisions that will have a real and lasting impact.
Research and Development: Academia provides a multi-disciplinary talent pool of experts who can contribute to campus clean energy solutions in meaningful ways. Campus decarbonization offers an incredible opportunity for developing long-term innovative strategies.

Start Your Decarbonization Journey Today

Engage Stakeholders

Find out how to get buy-in from key decision makers, your energy team, finance team, and utility to ensure a thorough approach and shared engagement.

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Develop Your Strategic Plan

Gain guidance on creating a data-driven roadmap that is strategically aligned from assessing your baseline through goals setting and defining a solid plan.

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Explore Decarbonization Strategies

Dig into technical information on decarbonization strategies from load reduction to electrification to production and storage, plus explore simple how-to guides.

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Weigh Your Financial Options

Access helpful information about a wide array of financing mechanisms, plus programs, incentives and grants that may be available to your institution.

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Explore Case Studies

Explore examples and lessons learned from institutions that are decarbonizing, to get inspiration, help with buy-in, and avoid costly mistakes.

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