Unlocking the Full Potential of University Climate Pledges
The climate crisis demands urgent action, and universities — as incubators of innovation and shapers of tomorrow's workforce — are among the most effective drivers of environmental impact. The scale of their environmental impact is significant — in 2020, just 93 U.S. universities were responsible for 5.8 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the output of 1.1 million cars. With nearly 6,000 colleges across the U.S., their total impact on our environment when scaled up can be substantial; for instance, many universities spend anywhere from $1-27 million dollars annually on energy. This growing awareness of environmental impact has driven many universities to take significant steps toward sustainability.
More than 1,050 universities across 68 countries have committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. While these pledges are encouraging, many institutions struggle to translate their commitments into concrete action. University sustainability professionals often lack adequate resources and funding to implement these ambitious goals, creating a gap between aspirations and achievement. To bridge this divide, institutions should leverage external expertise and adopt ROI-driven strategies that can help overcome budget constraints and achieve scalable climate impact.
Challenges Facing University Sustainability Professionals
While elite institutions may have the advantage of larger budgets and endowments, many universities face significant financial constraints. Sustainability professionals are often forced to "do more with less," limiting their ability to implement comprehensive, impactful strategies. Rather than taking a holistic approach to sustainability across multiple buildings and portfolios, institutions often feel compelled to demonstrate success through individual legacy projects to win stakeholder support, resulting in an approach that is ultimately less efficient and more costly; however, with increasing climate regulations and student demand for low-carbon buildings, taking a more comprehensive approach now would be advantageous. While one-off or legacy projects can deliver ROI and help convince stakeholders of their value, we must move beyond these iconic but isolated successes.
To unlock effective, comprehensive solutions, universities can leverage outside consultants who bring the expertise, resources, and industry-tested approaches necessary to transform ambitious plans into actionable strategies. With over 15 years of experience in energy management and sustainable buildings — as well as firsthand experience as a consultant at the university level — I have witnessed how limited resources and siloed efforts often hinder progress. During a conversation with university project managers, I suggested using energy modeling to guide new construction designs. While the idea was well-received, they explained that financial limitations prevented them from dedicating resources to properly track and manage energy this way. This goes to highlight that while great ideas often exist on paper, the lack of practical tools and funding frequently leaves initiatives unrealized. Progress can be made by blending in-house expertise and external support to drive scalable and meaningful sustainability initiatives.
Innovative Solutions and Success Stories in Campus Sustainability
Addressing these challenges requires a holistic understanding of resource use and emissions, which is why universities — like buildings — must assess their energy usage comprehensively. One powerful tool to achieve this is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which not only evaluates a building’s environmental impact over its entire lifespan but can also be applied to college campuses. LCA examines all four stages of a building’s life cycle — from the procurement and processing of raw materials to repair, maintenance, and eventual demolition, and provides a detailed roadmap for minimizing environmental impact. These insights, paired with the right external expertise, can help institutions achieve their sustainability goals more effectively and at scale.
There is reason for optimism. Many universities are already adopting these practices and achieving measurable success. In Texas, the University of Texas at Austin has made energy-efficient buildings and green design a priority, aiming to reduce both life cycle costs and environmental impact. The first campus to do so in the world, PEER Certification has enabled the campus to ensure that their buildings continue to have reliable power, even if the local utility grid fails. Their efforts extend beyond buildings, utilizing SITES — a rating system that guides, evaluates, and certifies sustainability in the planning, design, construction, and management of landscapes and outdoor spaces. They were able to transform their medical school and its teaching hospital, a 16.2-acre development in the center of campus, into a sustainable environment. The campus did this by reducing outdoor water use, fully restoring native riparian plant communities, incorporating 28% recycled content in materials, and restoring 3,318 cubic yards of soil.
Operational emissions in higher education institutions remain a significant challenge, with laboratories being the largest energy contributors. Addressing this issue requires improved management strategies and reliable benchmarks. Some universities are tackling it. Michigan State University, for instance, provides real data sets for platforms like I2SL (International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories). This collaborative effort supports the creation of robust benchmarking tools, enabling institutions to set data-driven goals for reducing energy-intensive laboratory operations.
Bold, strategic action can lead to meaningful progress. Universities must embrace partnerships and innovative strategies to transform climate pledges into measurable outcomes. By blending internal leadership with external expertise, they can overcome barriers, amplify their impact, and establish a model for climate action that inspires and influences all sectors.
Marcus Hazelwood is a leader in energy management with 15+ years of experience. His expertise spans higher education, commercial, and municipal systems. As Principal at EA Energy Solutions, he specializes in building optimization, energy audits, and green certifications. His career includes roles as a project manager for three national engineering firms and as an Energy Analyst at Harvard University. Founder of Haze Enterprises, he helps businesses achieve sustainability goals. Marcus brings expertise in net zero strategies and project efficiencies.