Carbon emissions reduction
UMass Amherst has reduced campus carbon emissions by almost 30% over the past 15 years by combining aggressive energy efficiency projects, on-site campus renewable energy production, new energy-efficient buildings, energy storage technology, and energy resiliency.
Central Heating Plant
In 2009, a new more efficient plant replaced the coal-fired facility that had powered campus since 1918, significantly reducing greenhouse gases. In 2015, we added a solar hot water system to our heating plant and in 2018 we installed a battery storage system.
Green building guidelines
In 2010, UMass Amherst created guidelines that required all new campus buildings and major renovations to be certified LEED Silver plus.
UMass Climate Action Plan
Approved in 2010, this was the first campus document to identify strategies to help the campus reach carbon neutrality.
Wind Center
In 2011, the pioneering UMass Amherst Wind Energy Center (the first academic wind research center in the US) received a $3.2 million National Science Foundation grant for the training of doctoral students in interdisciplinary wind energy research.
Northeast Climate Adaption Science Center
Established on campus in 2012 as part of a federal network, this center gathers the scientific information and builds the tools needed to help fish, wildlife, and ecosystems adapt to the impacts of climate change.
UMass Comprehensive Campus Energy Plan
Released in 2015, this report mapped out the next 10 years of responsible energy usage for the campus.
School of Earth and Sustainability
Established in 2016, SES provides students, faculty, the campus community, and the commonwealth with a central hub for innovation, research, education, and outreach related to sustainability in the natural and built environments.
Fossil fuel divestment
In 2016, UMass Amherst was the first major university to divest its endowment from direct holdings in fossil fuels.
Battery energy storage system
In 2019, we installed 360 lithium-ion battery modules that will save the campus a projected $2.5 million in energy costs over the next 10 years.
UMass Carbon Mitigation Task Force
The task force was formed by Chancellor Subbaswamy in 2019 and charged with determining how quickly the campus could transition to 100 percent reliance on renewable energy sources.
Climate change research
Over $175 million in climate change research grants have been awarded to over 100 UMass Amherst faculty members since 2012.
Energy Transition Institute @UMass Amherst
This stakeholder-engaged research entity was established in 2021 to enable a fast and fair transition to a decarbonized energy system in the US.
