News

As events and in-person activities resume on campus, there are resources available to you to ensure your preparations support the University’s commitment to sustainability.

Columbia’s ten-year sustainability plan, Plan 2030, completes its first full year this Earth Day. We are proud to share with you the Sustainable Columbia Plan 2030: Year One Progress Report and highlight the work being done across the University to contribute to a more sustainable future. 

As Columbia continues to implement the sustainability commitments outlined in Plan 2030, we write to announce Columbia’s future plans to gradually transition Columbia-managed parking areas for use by zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) only, phasing out access for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles such as gas and diesel vehicles. The phase-out in university-managed space is expected to begin between the years 2030 and 2037 in an effort to meet the university’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.

Continuing its 2018 commitment to achieve 100% net zero emissions electricity, Columbia University has again taken action to mitigate emissions associated with its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from purchased electricity.

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There are two ways Columbia commuters can participate in 511NY Rideshare's Earth Month programming.

Fitwel®’s three-star rating, its highest, recognizes the building’s extensive features that cultivate physical, mental, and social health of occupants as well as overall sustainability. 

Columbia University added 15 parking spaces to the park and ride program at its Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campus, bringing the total to 36 spaces. The program allows Columbia employees living in the Rockland County area to give up their car commute to Columbia’s Morningside and Manhattanville campuses by parking at Lamont and catching the free Columbia Transportation shuttle.

After more than a year hiatus due to Covid-19, “Clean + Go Green” is back at the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses on Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3. Some drop off and donation locations are different than past years due to the presence of other tents on campus, so please review the locations carefully.

Columbia’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050 or sooner and its new sustainability plan qualify the university for participation in this global challenge.

As we near the end of October, Campus Sustainability Month, we'd like to highlight the work being done across the university to contribute to a more sustainable future. Click here to read the full newsletter from October, 2021.

On Thursday, September 23, a panel of Columbia faculty, staff and student representatives discussed the University's ten-year sustainability plan – Plan 2030 – and goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The virtual event included an overview of the plan and discussion about activity underway, noting the role that students and faculty play in meeting the University's goals. The event was coordinated as part of Columbia’s partnership in Climate Week. 

As Climate Week NYC begins, the university explores creating a fully electrified campus. The Columbia Climate School is university partner of the weeklong climate showcase.

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