Climate Action Plan

**Progress towards carbon neutrality**
Explore how our campus has changed, and where emissions have been reduced since 2008 using the Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

The Climate Action Plan is Cornell's overarching plan for carbon neutrality for campus operations, the advancement of a living laboratory for climate research and teaching, and global solutions for a low-carbon future by 2035.

We can make a difference by demonstrating scalable low-carbon solutions on campus, advancing climate literacy and research initiatives, and accelerating impact through collaborative partnerships locally and globally. Our Climate Action Plan is the roadmap to achieving campus carbon neutrality by 2035 and creating a more just and secure future for our community, New York state, and the world. The Sustainable Cornell Council stewards the Climate Action Plan.

Climate Action Partners

Cornell is a member of several national and global partnerships to advance climate leadership. Learn more on our Partnerships page.

Current Climate Action Plan Strategies & Key Actions

Avoid, reduce, replace, offset carbon reduction hierarchy — The carbon reduction hierarchy helps identify which actions will be most impactful and efficient.

Cornell's CAP strategies and actions are informed by two decision-making frameworks, our quadruple-bottom-line sustainability framework (people, planet, prosperity and purpose) and a carbon reduction hierarchy (avoid, reduce, replace, then offset).

Explore the tabs below to find key actions identified for each carbon reduction strategy.

Culture Change Actions

Campus climate literacy for employees and students

Green Development Actions

Build and maintain high-performing buildings and spaces
Maximize efficient use of existing campus buildings and spaces
Improve land use

Alternative Transportation Actions

Increase commuter use of alternative transportation
Improve intra-campus transportation
Optimize use of virtual participation and remote work
Support improvements to regional mass transit
Reduce carbon intensity of air travel
Increase efficiency of Cornell fleet: convert to alternative fuel vehicles

Energy Conservation Actions

Support next-generation Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Actions

Steam to low-temperature hot water heat distribution conversion
Heat campus with renewable energy: Develop Earth Source Heat
Power campus with 100% renewable electricity
Optimize campus energy systems for renewables: peak heat and emergency power strategies

Carbon Sinks & Sequestration Actions

Leverage research, operations, and campus physical assets to offset unavoidable university emissions: land based carbon sinks and sequestration

Relative carbon reducing potential of each key action vs 2019 emissions

How can I get involved? The best way to support Cornell's progress to carbon neutrality is to read the reports, join a club or sustainability team, and look for ways to reduce emissions or improve sustainability where you live and work using the strategies outlined in our roadmap.

Climate Action Plan Documents

The Ithaca campus Climate Action Plan is a "living document." Thus, the 2009 CAP is considered the basis document with new reports evolving the strategy over time. This positions Cornell to leverage new technology and funding opportunities, and with flexibility to pivot as external regulatory, policy and market factors evolve. Some reports such as Options for a Carbon Neutral Campus have focused on creating plans or research implementation strategies for specific aspects of the CAP but have not substantially altered the initial strategy.

Basis Documents & Comprehensive Updates
Targeted Updates & Supplemental Reports

Original Climate Action Plan 2009 (PDF)

Published: September 2009

After President Skorton committed the institution to carbon neutrality in 2007, the first comprehensive action plan was released in 2009. This includes basis documents, reports and analysis of options.

Report cover for Climate Action Plan Update & Roadmap (2013)

Climate Action Plan Update 2013 (PDF)

CAP Actions Detailed Appendix (PDF)

Published: December 2013

Detailed list of each priority action in the 2013 CAP Roadmap, with responsibilities and data to support the path forward.

Illustrative carbon neutral campus energy system for Cornell's Ithaca campus

Sustainable design of Cornell University campus energy systems toward climate neutrality and 100% renewables

Published: June 2022

Examines the sustainable design of carbon-neutral energy systems, considering earth source heat, lake source cooling, on-site renewable electricity generation, and sustainable peak heating systems.