Climate Action Plan
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
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
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.
The Ithaca campus Climate Action Plan is a "living document." Thus, the 2009 CAP is considered the basis document with new reports evolving and informing 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.
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.
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.
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.
Options for a Carbon Neutral Campus (Page)
Published: October 2016
Technical and financial analysis of solutions to power & heat the Ithaca campus to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2035.
CAP Goal Acceleration Working Group Report (PDF)
Published: June 2014
Examined new climate science and recommended accelerating the carbon neutrality date from 2050 to 2035, then adopted by the administration.
Climate Action Plan 2011 Update Full (PDF)
Published: January 2012
After reducing emissions 25% in the first two years of the carbon commitment, the CAP was evaluated for ongoing effectiveness.