Since 2005, Wesleyan University has shown great leadership in addressing climate change.  The university was honored with a 2010 CT Climate Change Leadership Award.  Accomplishments include:

Signing the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which calls for a greenhouse gas inventory and plan to achieve carbon neutrality.

Building or renovating the following buildings to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards:  Fauver undergraduate housing, Usdan University Center and Albritton Center.

Installing a natural gas co-generation facility and making energy efficiency improvements to lighting, motors, pumps, and chillers.

Adopting comprehensive recycling and composting initiatives campus-wide including annual participation in Recyclemania.

Utilizing 4 electric vehicles and establishing of a ride board to facilitate carpooling and employee commuting.

Developing a one-acre organic farm at Long Lane facilities.

Purchasing more than 1 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy to help host community Middletown become Connecticut’s first Clean Energy Community.

Campus-wide greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced from approximately 38,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2005 to 33,000 metric tons in 2009.