Timeline
A Look Back: Columbia's Commitment to the Environment
1949
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), an institute dedicated to research in the earth sciences, is established
1975
- Dr. Wally Broecker coins the phrase “global warming”
1986
- Lamont-Doherty scientists develop the first model to accurately predict the extreme weather associated with an El Niño event
1988
- Dr. James Hansen testifies to Congress about the nature of climate change and the need to address it
1992
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is drafted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
1994
- Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC) is established to stem the loss of biological diversity
1996
- The Earth Institute is established to address complex issues facing the planet and its inhabitants, with particular focus on sustainable development and the needs of the world's poor
- Columbia is recognized with an EPA University Partner of the Year Award
1998
- Styrofoam and polystyrene are eliminated from undergraduate dining halls on Morningside campus
2000
- Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing (ACSRI) is established as a permanent addition to the University
2001
- Columbia becomes a member of the U.S. Green Building Council
2006
- Columbia becomes an Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) member
- Columbia University establishes the Office of Sustainability to work across Columbia— including individual schools, student groups, and offices—to spearhead campus programs and initiatives in the field
- The Eco-Reps Program, a joint initiative developed by the students of GEO (a student green group) and Housing and Dining Services administrators, is started to encourage green living in the residence halls
2007
- Columbia University President Bollinger signs the New York City Mayoral Carbon Challenge by committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2017
- Columbia commits to a minimum LEED® Silver certification for all new buildings and reconstruction projects
- Memorandum of Understanding is signed between Columbia University and the Environmental Defense Fund in a sustainability cooperative effort
- Electric and natural gas energy procurement: Competitive bid from independent energy providers reduces energy cost
2008
- Columbia’s Morningside campus submits its first Climate Action Plan as a participant in the New York City’s Mayoral Challenge.
2009
- The Campbell Sports Center and the Allan Rosenfield Building, Floors 11–13 (Medical Center), receive LEED® Gold certification
- Knox Hall receives LEED® Gold certification for its geothermal wells that supply the building with 100 percent of its energy needs, even during summer peak energy loads for cooling
- University Facilities and Operations introduces Master Planning Elements for Central Utilities & Central Plants
2010
- The Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building becomes the first LEED® Silver certified building at Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campus and wins the 2009 Lab of the Year Award
- Faculty House receives LEED® Gold certification
- Master of Science in Sustainability Management degree program is established to address the growing demand for sustainability professionals, including lawyers, engineers, marketers, communications professionals, policymakers, and scientists
- The Studebaker Building (2nd Floor) and the Core Lab (Lamont) achieves LEED® Gold; Studebaker project is certified LEED® Silver
- The first microturbines are installed as a new energy-efficient technology on Columbia’s Morningside campus
- All Dining locations offer organic, fair-trade certified, and locally roasted coffee from the Brooklyn Roasting Company
2011
- First phase of Central Chilled Water Plant Renewal & Optimization is completed
- Alumni Center Building Restoration achieves LEED® Gold certification
2012
- Columbia receives AASHE STARS Gold recognition
- Northwest Corner Building achieves LEED® Gold certification
- Columbia’s Manhattanville campus achieves LEED® Platinum certification under the LEED® for Neighborhood Development (ND) rating system, making it the first LEED-ND Platinum certification for New York City
2013
- The Office of Sustainability comes under new leadership and expands staff
- Electric charging stations are installed in the Morningside campus parking garages in order to promote the use of electric vehicles
2015
- Sustainability Strategic Process begins at Columbia
- Columbia receives AASHE STARS Gold recognition for the second time
- Residential Boiler Fuel Oil to Natural Gas Conversion is completed
- International District Energy Association (IDEA) cover article featuring Columbia University’s campus Energy Renewal Project—Central Chilled Water Plant Improvement
- The Brown Institute for Media Innovation at the Columbia School of Journalism receives a LEED® Gold certification.
2016
- Columbia formally adopts the University Sustainability Principles
- Columbia is registered as a participant at the “Leader” level in the State of New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Initiative
- Columbia is recognized by the Association of Energy Engineers with a Corporate Energy Management of the Year Award
- Columbia recognized by the Association of Energy Engineers with an Association of Energy Engineers—Young Energy Professional of the Year Award
- Central Chilled Water Plant: Installation of second high-efficiency steam chiller completed; $1 million+ in Con Edison incentives awarded
- The Office of Sustainability is recognized with a City and State Corporate Social Responsibility Award in Sustainability
2017
- Columbia launches its first Sustainability Plan
- Columbia’s new Manhattanville campus opens to the public
- Columbia’s central steam plant boiler renewal and optimization project is completed