Since launching Phase Two of the Decarbonization Plan this spring, UMass Amherst has been working with RMF Engineering, Brailsford & Dunlavey, and DOC Construction to lay the groundwork for an updated plan to be completed in 2027. The planning process is ongoing, and the university is now inviting campus faculty, staff, and students to learn more about the work and share their perspectives at Decarbonization Days, a series of events on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Wednesday, Oct. 21.

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“We've spent the past several months gathering data, listening to the campus community, and understanding where we stand today. Decarbonization Days is a chance for people to see what we’ve learned so far and help us think through what comes next, while the plan is still taking shape,” said Martha Larson, director of sustainability and project manager with RMF Engineering, Inc.

The work is guided by the Decarbonization Subcommittee of the Chancellor’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, a group of faculty, staff and students that meet monthly with the consultant team. Early input from the campus community is already informing that work. A spring survey, promoted at Earth Month events and on the Sustainability at UMass website, shared some key insights. Respondents generally agreed that addressing climate change should be a central goal for UMass, that the university should actively design decarbonization efforts to support learning and research, and that investing more now to accelerate emissions reductions is worthwhile.

The updated plan builds on energy conservation efforts and projects already in place across campus, including:

• The installation of new solar photovoltaics and electric batteries at the Central Heating Plant
• New geo-exchange bore fields at Lot 31
• Reduction of campus square footage and related energy consumption through demolition of older, inefficient buildings
• New heat recovery chillers and a thermal energy storage tank at the North Energy Exchange Center
• Ongoing controls upgrades for strategic energy management and optimization 

In addition, planning is underway for a phased project to explore deep geothermal for this region. This plan will also consider the use of an ambient loop network system. This type of system will enable easier conversion of the campus to a hot-water network.
 

Decarbonization Days Schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 20

• Campus as a Living Lab Round Table (Faculty and staff), Cape Cod Lounge, Student Union, noon-2 p.m.
• Campus Open Forum (Open to the UMass Amherst community), Integrative Learning Center N151, 4-5 p.m.
• Student Gathering (Students), Old Chapel Multi-Purpose Room, 6-7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 21

• Scope 3 Emissions Workshop (Faculty and staff), Cape Cod Lounge, Student Union, 10-11 a.m. 
• Faculty Campus Research Round Table (Faculty and staff), Cape Cod Lounge, Student Union, noon-2 p.m. 
• Campus Open Forum (Open to the UMass Amherst community), Integrative Learning Center N151, 4-5 p.m.

The two open forums are identical sessions, so attendees can register for either day that works best. Those unable to attend one of the events can also stop by the Decarbonization Days table at the Student Union on Monday, Oct. 20, and Tuesday, Oct. 21.

More information about the planning process and the university’s Path to Carbon Zero is available on the Sustainability at UMass site.