Harvard Kennedy School of Government

HKS’s Sustainability Commitment

The Kennedy School’s commitment to sustainability began with an active grassroots effort and is now institutionalized with a School-specific Sustainability Plan that was adapted from the University’s Sustainability Plan. The Harvard Kennedy School’s sustainability strategy is grounded in scholarship and community engagement, integrating research, teaching, governance, and culture. HKS seeks to cultivate impactful programs and pilot new strategies for the University with a focus on climate, health, and equity.

HKS is committed to incorporating sustainability throughout its operations and policies. Projects include generating renewable energy and reducing energy and fossil fuel use, with a special focus on Scope 3 emissions reduction including transportation and air travel, sustainable events and reducing food waste, and reducing our plastic footprint.

Sample of HKS Project Activities:

More than 100 MWH each year

HKS has a 91.2 kW solar system with more than 230 panels installed on the buildings of Littauer, Ofer, Rubenstein, and Wexner.

2+ tons recycled

HKS launched Harvard’s first plastic bag recycling program, which is now diverting more than two tons of plastic waste across Harvard every year from our waste streams to be recycled into new products.

More than 1,000 pounds of food shared each year

HKS hosts the Food Chain, a food waste diversion program open to anyone in the Kennedy School community to be notified after events are over to share leftover food, reduce food waste, and reduce food insecurity inside our community.

• HKS launched Harvard’s first plastic bag recycling program, which is now diverting more than two tons of plastic waste across Harvard every year from our waste streams to be recycled into new products.
• HKS hosts the Food Chain, a food waste diversion program open to anyone in the Kennedy School community to be notified after events are over to share leftover food, reduce food waste, and reduce food insecurity inside our community. The program shares out hundreds of pounds of food each year among community members that would otherwise go into our compost waste streams. Kennedy School members can sign up here.
• The Sustainability Leadership Council has been working to reduce flight-related emissions generated from our faculty, student, and staff air travel by helping people fly less, fly better, and offset what cannot be avoided. Learn more!