The Built Environment

Efficient Design and Operations

Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions on college campuses. Buildings also use significant amounts of potable water and materials, and can negatively impact human health. Amherst College has a long-standing commitment to building sustainably and has enthusiastically incorporated sustainable strategies, design, and practices in our buildings’ construction, renovation, and operations. 

What’s Next

  • Converting our campus wide antiquated steam system run on fossil fuel to a new low temperature hot water system and geothermal heat pump system run on renewables.
  • Carefully considering building materials and embedded carbon in the design of the new student center.
  • Aggressively working towards decarbonizing our operations by our 2030 carbon neutrality goal!
  • Increasingly implementing a full life cycle analysis approach to building design and operation