Skip to main content

Harvard Office for Sustainability

Accelerating Action for a sustainable future

Our Goals

Fossil Fuel-Free by 2050, Fossil Fuel-Neutral by 2026

Learn more about Harvard’s Fossil Fuel-Free by 2050 Goal (Goal Zero).

Harvard’s Fossil Fuel Goals

013019_Sanes_626

The Harvard Healthier Building Academy

The University is taking steps to eliminate harmful chemicals on campus

We are enhancing the health, productivity, and quality of life of our students, faculty, and staff by making smart, informed decisions about the design and maintenance of our built environment.

Explore the HHBAOpens new window

2023_Harvard Spring Campus Beauty-27

Facts and Figures

How we’re modeling sustainability

Yellow illustration that looks like an outline of a power plant with a leaf coming out the top.

40% decrease in carbon emissions per sq. ft., 2006-2023

Net emissions reduced by 30% from 2006 to 2023, inclusive of 16% square footage growth at the University.
Healthy building icon

150 LEED, 2 PHIUS, 1 LBC building certifications

As of 2024, Harvard has 150 LEED-certified buildings on campus; two historically significant buildings that meet PHIUS (Passive House Institute US) certification standards; and 1 Living Building Challenge Petal certification for Harvard's Science and Engineering Complex, the first wet laboratory building to achieve the certification from International Living Future Institute.
Icon of solar panels on a roof.

3 Megawatts of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Capacity

Harvard has installed 3 megawatts of solar panel capacity on campus, the equivalent of 600 home installations, as well as 0.5 MW of installed storage.
Icon of blue and white water droplets.

2M gallons of water saved

thanks to FAS with water conservation at Laboratory for Integrated Science and Engineering (LISE). The Center for Nanoscale Systems at FAS is retrofitting their systems with projected savings of 2,036,945 gallons per year, equal to ~3 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Icon of plant-based meal

18.5% decrease in food-related carbon impacts

The shift toward plant-based foods as part of the Coolfood Pledge reduced GHG emissions per plate by 18.5% since 2019. Harvard remains on track to meet the Coolfood 2030 goal of a 38% reduction in per-plate emissions.
Icon of an electric bus and emblem that shows decreasing carbon dioxide.

~220K lbs. CO2 emissions averted due to EV buses

Harvard’s electric shuttle buses are averting GHG emissions of ~220,500 pounds of CO2 annually. Since the electric shuttles came online in 2021, Harvard has purchased 10+ new EVs, including mail trucks, box trucks, vans, parking vehicles, and utility vehicles.

Annual Sustainability Report

We are using data to uncover new insights and drive continual improvements in how we operate our campus.

View the 2023-2024 ReportOpens new window

Harvard Annual Sustainability Report graphic with icons showing wind turbines, blueprints, a gear, and arrows pointing right.

Sustainability at Harvard

Connect with OFS

Whether you are a student, staff member, alum, or simply interested in learning more about sustainability at Harvard, there are many opportunities to get involved and take action. Explore student opportunities and resources available.

Connect with the Office for Sustainability

Students pose for a photo near the river holding trash removal tools during the 2022 Charles River Clean-Up event.