a battery surrounded by trees

The Path to Decarbonization

It’s Electric

Energy is integral to our daily lives. Energy consumption is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, a chronic cause of global climate change that triggers increased frequency and potency of extreme weathers, sea level rises, species extinction, water and food shortages, ocean acidification, and spread of diseases, among many others. Implementing energy conservation measures and switching to renewable energy are critical to reducing our energy demand and the impacts of its use. Amherst College is committed to decarbonizing our operations by 2030.

Between 2 Mammoths

The Campus Energy Transformation

Wes Dripps ’92, Director of Sustainability sits down with President Michael Elliott ’92, to discuss the College's Climate Action Plan, what we've accomplished since the Plan was drafted in 2019, and current projects underway to achieve our goal of decarbonization by 2030.

A photo of Johnson Chapel with the sun shining through trees

Decarbonizing by 2030

Read Amherst’s Climate Action Plan to learn how we aim to achieve decarbonization of our campus energy system by 2030 through transformative modernization of our energy system from fossil fuels to renewable electricity.

Climate Action Plan Trustee Statement

What’s Next

  • Transitioning the entire campus from an antiquated fossil fuel driven steam heating system to a new low temperature system that utilizes geothermal wells and runs on renewable energy.
  • Seeking additional sources of renewable electricity to help run the new campus energy system once built.
  • Educating the campus around ways to reduce energy consumption from cold water laundry to turning out lights to powering off mini-fridges.
  • Supporting a Green Labs program to minimize and optimize energy use from the various research labs across campus.