“Harvard University’s Bold Steps Towards a Fossil Fuel-Free Future: Investments in Renewables and Energy Efficiency”

Harvard University is making significant strides in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, with a goal of eliminating its use of fossil fuels by 2050. The university has recently made substantial investments in renewables and energy efficiency to achieve this ambitious target.

Since 2006, Harvard had already reduced its emissions by 30 percent, but the expansion of its campus in the Allston neighborhood of Boston and the rebound from the Covid pandemic partially reversed these gains. To counteract this, Harvard is now focusing on more costly fixes, such as replacing gas-fired boilers with electric heating systems.

To support these ongoing emissions reductions, Harvard has increased its Green Revolving Fund from $12 million to $37 million, making it the largest sustainability endowment in the nation. This fund has already financed over 250 sustainability projects at the university, ranging from small initiatives like installing high-efficiency dishwashers to larger projects like transitioning to electric vehicles.

In addition to these efforts, Harvard has partnered with Mass General Brigham, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and eight other Boston-area institutions to build and operate a solar farm in Texas and a wind farm in North Dakota. This Consortium for Climate Solutions aims to purchase 1.3 million megawatt hours of clean energy per year, equivalent to the electricity consumption of 130,000 homes and avoiding the release of 920,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Harvard’s commitment to sustainability extends to its buildings, with 98 percent of its emissions coming from this source. The university plans to use its Green Revolving Fund to address direct emissions from gas-fired boilers, with potential solutions including geothermal heating and cooling systems. While Harvard has deployed geothermal systems on a smaller scale, there are currently no plans for a campus-wide project due to space constraints.

Overall, Harvard’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and investing in renewable energy demonstrates its commitment to combating climate change. By leveraging partnerships, innovative technologies, and sustainable funding mechanisms, the university is setting a positive example for other institutions to follow in the transition to a greener future.