Plan 2030 - JLedits

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY PLAN, 2021-2030

Plan 2030 is a ten-year strategic plan that outlines aggressive sustainability goals, grounded in climate science, for Columbia’s New York campuses to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Building on the goals achieved in its first sustainability plan, Columbia has developed this plan in conjunction with its own Earth Institute scientists and faculty, using guidance from the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish principles and measurable targets that will help ensure Columbia will achieve this goal. Achieving these targets requires an increased commitment across all areas of the University, and the ability to model sustainable values within every part of its culture – the way it educates, operates, designs, constructs, and manages resources.

Read the full Executive Summary.

COMMITMENT AREAS

To achieve the targets outlined in the Climate Leadership and Trajectory to Net Zero sections, the University has set specific goals with detailed strategies in six key commitment areas below. The content in these areas was developed by sustainability planning working groups with faculty, student, and administrator participation.

Illustration of solar panels and wind turbines atop campus buildings with some trees in the colors of the Sustainable Columbia brand
An illustration of Columbia's Morningside Campus with green infrastructure, such as wind turbines and solar panels, implemented into the design. Surrounding the illustration are six icons representing the six focus areas of Plan 2030: Campus Energy, Sustainable Transportation, Responsible Design and Construction, Culture Change and Campus as a Living Lab, Responsible Materials Management, and Water Conservation and Capture.
Illustration of an intersection with a bus, a bicycle rider, and the subway overhead to represent transportation in the brand colors of Sustainable Columbia
Sustainable Transportation

Reduce emissions from on-campus fleet vehicles, commuters, and business travel.

Illustration of campus with Low Library in the background, a person presenting in front of a classroom, and students gardening on a lawn on campus in the brand colors of Sustainable Columbia
Culture Change & Campus as Living Lab

Commit to enhance student literacy and access to the campus as a living lab.

Graphic representing responsible design and construction at Columbia University.
Responsible Design and Construction

Ensure the design, construction, and refresh processes at all campuses support the University’s long-term goal to both decarbonize and achieve zero waste.

Illustration of three people each standing behind a recycling bin, and each of them are throwing away a piece of waste into the appropriate bin.
Responsible Materials Management

Send zero waste to landfill, host sustainable events, ensure retail tenant alignment, and practice sustainable procurement.

Graphic representing Water Conservation and Capture at Columbia University.
Water Conservation and Capture

Increase efforts toward water conservation, capture, and awareness.