Science-based targets show institutions how much and how quickly they need to reduce their GHG emissions to reach net zero by 2050, which Columbia committed to in 2020. In its most recent sustainability plan, Plan 2030, Columbia commits to achieve this on a trajectory such that total cumulative emissions from 2019 to the date net zero is achieved shall not exceed 14.6 times the University's 2019 emissions.
The targets are for total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions sources for which accurate, comprehensive data was available at the end of 2019, when the plan was developed. Scope 1 emissions are direct, coming from sources that an organization owns or controls, while Scope 2 emissions are indirect, resulting from the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling. (For treatment of Scope 3 emissions, visit the Trajectory to Net Zero page on the Sustainable Columbia website).
Columbia’s interim emissions reduction targets outlined in Plan 2030 are:
- 15% by 2025
- 42% by 2030
- 63% by 2035
- 100% by 2050
The interim Scope 1 and 2 targets for 2030 and 2035 are in line with corresponding cumulative emissions multiples and absolute emissions reduction percentages for SBTi’s best-case mitigation scenario as of 2019 when the targets were set. The 2025 targets are less ambitious to reflect the limited mitigation options available to Columbia at the time of Plan 2030’s creation.
To reach these targets, Columbia completed comprehensive energy studies at both the Morningside and Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) campuses, which resulted in a Strategic Decarbonization Master Plan. Recommendations from the studies include electrification of the Morningside campus Central Energy Plant as well as electrification and energy efficiency initiatives at Manhattanville and CUIMC.
A combination of retro-commissioning, energy conservation measures, and building electrification projects have already contributed to a reduction in emissions of 8% at the Morningside campus (over 2019 levels) as reported in Columbia’s 2023 Annual Progress Report. The 2024 report is set to be released this fall.
