Fast Facts

Sustainability Fast Facts

Cornell University holds a Platinum Rating, the highest possible from the Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS) and is advancing an innovative path to campus carbon neutrality by 2035.

Climate Leadership

  • On track for campus carbon neutrality goal by 2035, with 51% reduction in emissions since 2008
  • Earth Source Heat will heat the campus using a breakthrough deep geothermal technology
  • MOOC Cornell Climate Fellows course has reached 3,000+ citizens from 65 countries since 2017
  • 85% of students believe climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time

Academics & Research

  • Sustainability research has increased 141% in the last decade, with 36% of all faculty contributing
  • 91% of academic programs offer sustainability courses, a total of 811 offerings across 29 departments
  • 41 undergraduate and 78 graduate sustainability majors, minors, or concentrations offered
  • 40+ living laboratory projects and learning initiatives support 6,000+ students each year

Campus Operations

  • 15 solar arrays and a hydropower plant provide 100% renewable electricity on sunny days, all year
  • Lake Source Cooling provides 100% fossil-fuel-free renewable cooling to campus from Cayuga Lake
  • 28 green buildings, including 5 LEED Platinum Buildings with green roofing and solar arrays
  • Cornell Farm composting diverts 4,000 tons of food waste from residences and dining halls annually
  • Grounds staff use a mobile solar trailer to power fossil-fuel free landscaping equipment
  • Water use has dropped 25% since 2005, with 116.5 million gallons conserved last year alone

Culture & Engagement