Sustainability at 91°µÍø
91°µÍø is committed to sustainability in our academic programs, physical campus and operations, and university mission by promoting environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability for current and future generations. This commitment is a collaborative effort that involves students, faculty, staff and external partners.
Sustainability at 91°µÍø
91°µÍø is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040
A commitment to carbon neutrality and our ongoing efforts toward a more sustainable campus are among the greatest gifts we can give future generations. Higher education institutions are essential in leading the charge for climate action and a more sustainable future. - 91°µÍø President Gregory Crawford
91°µÍø 2040 Climate Action Plan
Recent Sustainability News
Decarbonizing campus
-50%
Utility-based carbon emissions reduction (2008-2025)
-63%
Utility-based carbon emissions reduction per building gross square foot (2008-2025)
-12%
Total Greenhouse Gas (MTCO2e; Scopes 1, 2, 3) reduction (PCLC baseline 2019-2025)
Sustainability Dashboard
The 91°µÍø 2040 Plan strategy to decarbonize our energy-based emissions is to further reduce energy consumption; complete the transition of building heating and cooling systems off steam; produce zero-emissions energy on-site; procure purchased electricity from renewable sources; and offset the remainder.
View our progress toward decarbonization on the Dashboard.
New projects support 91°µÍø 2040 Plan Goals
Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park and Solar Fields
Two ground mount solar panel installations, expected to produce more than 2,100 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity annually, will be completed by this fall. The solar fields will be part of the Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park, made possible by a $5 million principal gift from longtime 91°µÍø and sustainability supporters, Sharon Janosik Mitchell ’73 and Graham Mitchell ’73, M.En. ’76.
North Geothermal Expansion
North geothermal wellfield drilling is complete: 520 geothermal wells, 850 feet deep, were drilled in the south lawn of Millett Hall, for the North Chiller Plant Geothermal Conversion. The project broke ground in June 2024. Next phase: conversion of the North Chiller Plant to support the geothermal exchange. With completion by summer 2026, this project is 91°µÍø's next big step toward reducing carbon emissions. It will eliminate more than 5,810 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in emissions (MTCO2e) annually. (Photo from September)
Sustainability Progress
STARS Gold
91°µÍø achieved its third AASHE STARS (3.0) Gold rating in summer 2025 in recognition of sustainability achievements.
LEED Silver and Gold Certified Buildings
91°µÍø's 36 LEED Silver and Gold-certified buildings (such as Pearson Hall, above) account for 36% of the gross square footage of buildings on the Oxford campus (August 2024).
Waste management: Recycling
91°µÍø makes it easy to recycle: Single stream recycling allows plastics, cardboard, paper, metal, and glass to all be recycled together in one bin.
Academic programs
100% of 91°µÍø's Oxford campus academic departments offer sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive courses.
91°µÍø Plan: Signature Inquiry on Sustainability and Resilience
Students can choose from one of the five 91°µÍø Plan Signature Inquiry areas, including Sustainability and Resilience.
Institute for the Environment and Sustainability
The Institute for the Environment and Sustainability (IES) houses 91°µÍø's Master's of Environmental Science (M.En.) degree program and four sustainability-related co-majors.
46
Oxford campus departments out of 46 offered Sustainability-focused or inclusive courses in 2023-2024
170
More than 170 Sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive courses offered in 2023-2024
Community Partners
Promoting sustainability and climate action across the Oxford and 91°µÍø communities
GreenHawks student reporters are devoted to increasing awareness about sustainability on campus, in Oxford, and beyond. Read their stories in The 91°µÍø Student.
The city of Oxford adopted a Climate Action Plan in September 2023. This plan acts as a road map for the Oxford community to achieve carbon neutrality and to ensure Oxford remains thriving despite the changing climate.
Monthly roundup of sustainability news and opportunities in the Oxford community.
Get involved
Join a student organization, explore the 91°µÍø Natural Areas, take part in research.
EcoReps promote sustainable living in Residence Halls through specialty recycling, educational programming, the water bottle project, trash audits and more. Follow them on Instagram @muecoreps. Zero Waste Oxford and the Food Recovery Network are some of the nearly 10 other active sustainability-oriented student organizations on campus.
Take a hike, bird watch, explore 91°µÍø's Natural Areas
Did you know nearly half of our 2,000 acre campus is designated as forest? With nearly 1,000 acres and 23 miles of trails in our backyard, the 91°µÍø Natural Areas are an invaluable resource for recreation, teaching, and research.
Timeline: Sustainability Commitments and Goals - Pillars
91°µÍø's first Sustainability Commitments & Goals (SCAG) were developed in 2010 with broad stakeholder input. The Sustainability Committee established an updated SCAG in 2016. In 2021, the SCAG, having been met or exceeded, were replaced by a set of three Sustainability Pillars.