Sustainability
Harvard Will Purchase Power from Two Renewable Energy Projects Through Climate Consortium
Harvard announced Wednesday that it will help finance two utility-scale renewable energy projects through the Consortium for Climate Solutions, an agreement with institutions including MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Harvard Hires 8 New Climate Faculty Across FAS, Graduate Schools
Harvard hired eight new climate faculty members in 2024 as the Salata Institute continues to expand climate research and hiring, the University announced earlier this month.
Harvard Updates Standards, Increases Funding for Sustainable Infrastructure
Harvard University announced its 2024 Sustainable Building Standards and the tripling of the University’s Green Revolving Fund from 12 million to 37 million this month.
Harvard Kennedy School ‘Greenplexity’ Tool Debuts at COP29
Harvard Kennedy School’s Growth Lab debuted an interactive online tool — dubbed “Greenplexity” — to help countries identify opportunities for green growth at the United Nations’ COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday.
First ‘Freecycle’ Event of the Semester Held in Smith Center
The Harvard Office for Sustainability hosted its first Freecycle event of the semester at the Smith Campus Center on Tuesday.
Harvard Researchers Suggest Green Hydrogen Will Remain Costlier Than Projected
Harvard researchers found in a recent study that prices for green hydrogen — hydrogen fuel created from sustainable energy sources — will remain high.
‘Make It Easy, Make it Tasty’: How Harvard’s Dining Services Influences Student Food Choices
In Harvard’s dining halls, every array of food has been carefully constructed. Harvard University Dining Services selects particular tray placements, serving station names, and menus based on student preferences to meet sustainability and local sourcing goals.
Cambridge Officials Celebrate Start of $77 Million Fire Station Renovations
Top Cambridge officials celebrated the start of long-delayed renovations on the Cambridge Fire Department Headquarters at a Tuesday groundbreaking ceremony at the 491 Broadway Street construction site.
Harvard’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased by 2.3 Percentage Points in 2023
Harvard’s net greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.3 percentage points from 2022 even as it’s on track to meet its goal of becoming fossil fuel-neutral by 2026, per the University’s annual sustainability report.
Harvard Public Health School Appoints Mary Rice as New Director of C-CHANGE
The Harvard School of Public Health appointed Mary B. Rice, a pulmonary and critical care physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, as the next director of its Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment. She will lead C-CHANGE starting Oct. 1.
Cambridge Hires Julie Wormser as Inaugural Chief Climate Officer
The City of Cambridge has hired longtime climate policy advocate Julie E. Wormser as its inaugural chief climate officer. She will head the city’s Office of Sustainability starting Oct. 1.
Harvard Public Health School Launches New Climate Change and Planetary Health Concentration
The Harvard School of Public Health rolled out a new concentration this fall titled “Climate Change and Planetary Health,” exploring the effect of climate change on the planetary health crisis.
Temporary Vertical Garden ‘Polinature’ Opens at GSD
A vertical garden at the Harvard Graduate School of Design opened to the public last Tuesday as an example of how immediate, low-cost solutions can mitigate extreme heat for vulnerable populations.
Debra Haaland Touts Biden Climate Agenda, Celebrates HLS Grads in Class Day Speech
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Debra A. Haaland addressed Harvard Law School’s Class of 2024 during the school’s Class Day ceremony on Holmes Field Wednesday afternoon
Youth Action Group Led by Harvard Undergrad Sues Maine for Failure to Meet Climate Goals
The Maine Youth Action — a political action organization co-founded by Cole A. Cochrane ’27 — alongside the Conservation Law Foundation and Sierra Club sued the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Board of Environmental Protection on Friday for a failure to meet its pledged climate goals.
Adams House Announces Climate Funding Program for Student Projects
Adams House, one of Harvard’s twelve upperclassmen houses, launched Adams Works on Climate earlier this month — a two-year program to fund climate projects led by Adams residents.
New HES Sustainability, Global Development Degrees Director Hopes to Strengthen Programs
The Harvard Extension School appointed Michael J. Mortimer to lead the school’s Sustainability and Global Development Practice master’s degree programs earlier this year, as he seeks to fill gaps and refine the program curriculum.
Harvard Affiliates Testify Against Oil Drilling on California Harvard-Owned Land
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission voted to approve an exploratory oil drilling project on former Harvard land holdings in California on Jan. 31, following testimony on environmental repercussions.
Cambridge City Council Maps Agenda For Term, Announces New Role for Climate Sustainability
The Cambridge City Council convened a special meeting Tuesday with city officials to set term priorities and announce the creation of a new position focused on climate resilience.
More than 30 Harvard Students and Faculty Attended COP28, Expressing Optimism on Climate Initiatives
More than 30 Harvard students and faculty traveled to Dubai to attend COP28, the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, last month.
Harvard Salata Institute Funds Seven Student Climate Research Projects
Harvard’s Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability announced the third round of awards for student-led projects last week, funding seven projects that include input from a total of 20 student organizations across the University.
Harvard Business School Students Put Forth Sustainability Solutions at Annual Climate Symposium
The Harvard Business School’s annual student-run Climate Symposium drew more than 500 attendees to Klarman Hall and raised more than $100,000 over Nov. 18 and 19.
Bezos Earth Fund Executive Leon Clarke Discusses Decarbonization, Climate Policy at Harvard Kennedy School
Leon Clarke, the director of decarbonization pathways at the Bezos Earth Fund, spoke about decarbonization and philanthropy at the Harvard Kennedy School on Monday.
Experts Discuss Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainability at Salata Institute Discussion
Cornell applied economics professor Prabhu L. Pingali and Nigerian Conservation Foundation director Joseph D. Onoja discussed climate sustainability at the Center for Government and International Studies Tuesday.
Harvard’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Flatline for Seventh Straight Year in 2022
Harvard’s campus net greenhouse gas emissions continued to flatline for the seventh straight year in 2022, as the University experienced its first full year of normal functioning since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.