Climate Action
Reducing emissions. Building resilience. Transforming our Campus.Ìý
Climate change is already shaping Colorado and communities worldwide. At CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï, climate action means reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for changing climate conditions, and integrating climate considerations into operations, construction and future planning. Across campus, we are improving energy efficiency, modernizing infrastructure, reducing emissions and strengthening climate resilience. The 2024 Climate Action Plan guides this work, establishes the university’s long-term climate goals, and continues to inform ongoing initiatives and updates.
Our Climate Goals
ÌýÌý 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030
ÌýÌý Zero emissions by 2050
ÌýÌý Advance reductions in high-impact Scope 3 emissions.
Progress Toward Our Goals
CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï tracks greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and other indicators to measure progress, evaluate current efforts and inform future action.Ìý
VisitÌýfor their reported emissions data.
How CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï is Taking Climate Action
ÌýÌýEmissions and Decarbonization
Measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from campus energy, buildings, transportation, purchasing, construction and other university activities.Ìý
Prepare campus infrastructure, utilities, operations and the CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï community for current and future climate-related impacts.Ìý
Understanding Emissions
CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï measures greenhouse gas emissions to understand where they come from, track progress and identify opportunities for reduction. Emissions are organized into three scopes using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol framework.
Emissions generated directly from sources owned or controlled by CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï, including fuels used for campus heating, university-owned vehicles and equipment, and other direct sourcesÌý
Indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity and other energy used to power CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï buildings and operations. These emissions occur outside campus boundaries but result from the energy the university purchases and consumes.Ìý
Indirect emissions associated with university activities that occur from sources outside CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï’s direct ownership or control. These include purchased goods and services, construction, business travel, employee and student commuting, food, waste and other activities across the university’s value chain.
Greenhouse gas emissions are typically reported as carbon dioxide equivalents (COâ‚‚e), allowing different greenhouse gases to be compared using a common measure.
Get Involved
Climate action at CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï is a campus-wide effort. Students, faculty and staff can contribute through everyday actions, campus programs, events and opportunities to help advance university sustainability efforts.
[Explore Ways to Get Involved - (coming soon)]
Related News & Research
Stay up to date on climate action across CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï, including campus projects, sustainability initiatives, research and other developments.
[View Climate News & Research Ìý- (coming soon)]