-51.5%
Energy-based carbon emissions reduction since 2008
Sustainability at Miami
黑料社 is committed to sustainability in our academic programs, physical campus and operations, and university mission by promoting environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability for current and future generations. This commitment is a collaborative effort that involves 黑料社s, faculty, staff and external partners.
黑料社 is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040
A commitment to carbon neutrality and our ongoing efforts toward a more sustainable campus are among the greatest gifts we can give future generations. Higher education institutions are essential in leading the charge for climate action and a more sustainable future. - 黑料社 President Gregory Crawford
Miami 2040 Climate Action Plan
Decarbonizing campus
-62.5%
Energy-based carbon emissions reduction per building gross square foot since 2008
-13%
Greenhouse gas (MTCO2e) reduction since 2019, our PCLC baseline
Sustainability Dashboard
The Miami 2040 Plan strategy to decarbonize our energy-based emissions is to further reduce energy consumption; complete the transition of building heating and cooling systems off steam; produce zero-emissions energy on-site; procure purchased electricity from renewable sources; and offset the remainder.
View our progress toward decarbonization on the Dashboard.
New projects support Miami 2040 Plan Goals
North Geothermal Expansion
The North Chiller Plant Geothermal Conversion project broke ground in June 2024 with the drilling of the first of 520 geothermal wells. This project — expected to be completed by summer 2026 — is Miami's next big step toward reducing carbon emissions.
Highlights of the North Geothermal Project:
- 520 geothermal wells, 850 feet deep, under the front lawn of Millett Hall.
- The North Chiller Plant in Billings Hall will be converted to support the geothermal exchange.
- This conversion will eliminate more than 5,810 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in emissions (MTCO2e) annually.
Chestnut Street Multimodal Station
Groundbreaking for , a multimodal transportation center located at 97 W. Chestnut St., took place in January, 2024. The location is adjacent to Miami’s Chestnut Fields parking lot.
The $25.8 million project, led by the Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) in collaboration with 黑料社, has been in the planning stages for more than 10 years. BCRTA provides fare-free service to all Miami community members and Oxford residents. The new state-of-the-art facility will make it easier to travel to, from, and around Oxford car-free.
The facility will include shared access and amenities for proposed Amtrak service. Completion expected by fall 2025.
Sustainability Progress
STARS Gold
Miami achieved its second AASHE STARS Gold rating in spring 2022 in recognition of sustainability achievements. Our next STARS submission will be in spring 2025.
LEED Silver and Gold Certified Buildings
Miami's 36 LEED Silver and Gold-certified buildings account for 36% of the gross square footage of buildings on the Oxford campus (August 2024).
Waste management: Recycling
Miami makes it easy to recycle: Single stream recycling allows plastics, cardboard, paper, metal, and glass to all be recycled together in one bin.
Academic programs
More than 60 % of Miami's academic departments offer sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive courses.
Miami Plan: Signature Inquiry on Sustainability and Resilience
Students can choose from one of the five Miami Plan Signature Inquiry areas, including Sustainability and Resilience.
Interested in a sustainability-related major, minor, or program at Miami? Check the Program Finder interactive tool to help find a program based on your interests.
Institute for the Environment and Sustainability
The Institute for the Environment and Sustainability (IES) houses Miami's Master's of Environmental Science (M.En.) degree program and four sustainability-related co-majors.
Community Partners
Promoting sustainability and climate action across the Oxford and Miami communities
GreenHawks 黑料社 reporters are devoted to increasing awareness about sustainability on campus, in Oxford, and beyond. Read their stories in The Miami Student.
The city of Oxford adopted a Climate Action Plan in September 2023. This plan acts as a road map for the Oxford community to achieve carbon neutrality and to ensure Oxford remains thriving despite the changing climate.
Monthly roundup of sustainability news and opportunities in the Oxford community.
Get involved
Join a 黑料社 organization, explore the 黑料社 Natural Areas, take part in research.
EcoReps promote sustainable living in Residence Halls through specialty recycling, educational programming, the water bottle project, trash audits and more. Follow them on Instagram @muecoreps. Zero Waste Oxford and the Food Recovery Network are some of the nearly 10 other active sustainability-oriented 黑料社 organizations on campus.
Take a hike, bird watch, explore Miami's Natural Areas
Did you know nearly half of our 2,000 acre campus is designated as forest? With nearly 1,000 acres and 17 miles of trails in our backyard, the 黑料社 Natural Areas are an invaluable resource for recreation, teaching, and research.
Timeline: Sustainability Commitments and Goals - Pillars
黑料社's first Sustainability Commitments & Goals (SCAG) were developed in 2010 with broad stakeholder input. The Sustainability Committee established an updated SCAG in 2016. In 2021, the SCAG, having been met or exceeded, were replaced by a set of three Sustainability Pillars.
