Local & Regional Sustainability Partners
Climate change and sustainable systems transformation are not challenges isolated to just one organization, or to our campus. Cornell is fundamentally a partner in creating a more sustainable future and just community, and works alongside creative partners in Ithaca, Tompkins County, and our state and region to accelerate solutions impact.
Local Partners
Cooperative Extension (CCE) puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well-being. CCE brings local experience and research-based solutions together, helping New York State families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.
The Tompkins County Energy Task Force (ETF) provides guidance to the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability and Legislature on energy, climate change, and energy-related economic development. Members of the Campus Sustainability Office serve on this Task Force.
Sustainable Tompkins is a citizen-based coalition working towards a more sustainable regional community. Projects focus on local carbon offsets, energy efficiency, climate protection, green purchasing, sustainable community development, green-collar jobs, sustainable enterprise, greening health care, and economic/ecological justice. Sustainable Tompkins supports a critical carbon offsets program for the Cornell community.
Cornell was a founding member of the Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (TCCPI) , an award-winning climate action and clean energy coalition in the Ithaca, NY area made up of community leaders from the education, business, local government, nonprofit, and youth sectors.
Cornell and our community's local bus service provider, the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit or TCAT, transports 1,000s of people to and from Cornell University, Ithaca College, Tompkins Cortland Community College as well as across the region to retail, entertainment, commercial, residential and professional centers.
Higher Education Partners
The NY Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education (NYCSHE) unites representatives of higher education and supporting organizations with a common interest to promote, sustain and advocate for environmental, economic and social responsibility as envisioned by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Cornell representatives serve on the Board of this organization and contribute to or host annual conferences for New York state.
New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education (NYSCHE)
The REV Campus Challenge is a membership-based network of two- and four-year, public and private colleges and universities from all regions of NYS. Members recognize the unique position held by higher education institutions to further clean energy and declare their intent to further clean energy adoption through actions on campus, by training tomorrow’s leaders, and by working within their local communities.
Cornell is a founding member of the NY Higher Education LSRE Project consortium of more than 20 State University of New York (SUNY) and private NYS higher education institutions working together to procure new, large-scale renewable power development in New York state. NY Higher Education LSRE Project seeks to provide a cost-effective way for participating campuses to promote renewable energy generation to meet sustainability goals, create a risk mitigation strategy against volatile electric and gas prices, and provide academic and research opportunities.