The New School On Pace to Exceed NYC Carbon Challenge Goal
As one of the first participants in the NYC Carbon Challenge, The New School pledged in 2014 to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent by 2030.
Just four years later, the university is on track to meet and even exceed that goal, reducing its GHG emissions by 14.6 percent. This effort reflects the The New School’s ongoing commitment to confronting global climate change through its sustainability-focused curriculum and initiatives.
In a recent progress report, the NYC Mayor’s Office praised The New School for its investments in energy-efficient measures including ice-storage cooling, cogeneration, and equipment controls and commissioning; divesting fully from fossil fuels; and hiring two new sustainability-focused staff members who work “with students to examine the feasibility and potential impact of more distributed projects.”
“Students have examined opportunities such as optimal temperature set points, efficient computer settings, and the design of advanced lighting systems,” according to the report. “Following a student-led study, The New School installed computer software on nearly 3,000 computers to better synchronize operational hours with actual activity. This action alone is saving an estimated three percent of total campus electricity.”
The New School’s commitment to sustainability can be seen in the University Center, a LEED gold-rated campus hub, participation in a history-making climate march, divestment from fossil fuels, and the expansion of its already diverse catalogue of curriculum options for students on the environment and climate justice.