The Campus - Business & Environment - Harvard Business School

"With ambitious targets to reduce emissions, there is no more 'business as usual' for any campus or business. Fortunately, it's possible to reap significant cost savings with creative investments in conservation and technology."

Andrew O'Brien

HBS Chief of Operations
"By following the LEED guidelines, HBS can construct energy-efficient buildings with minimal environmental impact and demonstrate its commitment to building a sustainable campus."

Meghan Duggan

Assistant Director of Sustainability and Energy Management

Leed–Certified Projects

We are committed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design/LEED guidelines for all new construction and major renovations, with Gold Certification as our goal.

What is LEED certification?

Map of all campus projects

Campus Operations:
An Internal Business Perspective

We are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions 30% from 2006 levels by 2016, as part of an effort to increase environmental stewardship at HBS while realizing cost savings through efficiency and waste reduction. The HBS program focuses on implementing energy conservation and waste reduction, establishing best practices such as LEED certification, and encouraging individual behavior change.

Since 2003, we have completed more than 45 energy conservation measures, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by 2,495 metric tons of C02 equivalent (MTCDE), reducing operating costs $920,000 and maximizing utility rebates totaling more than $830,000. The HBS Master Plan incorporates environmentally and financially sustainable practices throughout campus.

Statistics

Green House gas reduction, 2006-07	4.4%
Utility Bill Savings from Conservation Projects, FY '07	14%
CO2 Savings from Conservation Projects, FY '07 (MTCDE: metric tons of C02 equivalent)	2,495 tons
LEED-certified Buildings	5
Campus Recycling Rate, FY '08	54%
Emissions Offset by Shad Hall Cogeneration Project	464 tons

Highlights

Turbines Up and Spinning

Harvard Real Estate Services, in conjunction with Harvard Parking Services, has placed two 10 kW wind turbines atop the Soldiers Field Park Garage. After almost two years in planning stages, the structures were at last erected and set spinning on a bright day in September, 2009. View the project fact sheet for more information.

The Boston Business Journal recognizes HBS for the Gallatin Hall project in the 1st annual Green business awards.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Working Group at HBS

Since the announcement of the 30% greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal by 2016, the University has been engaged in a comprehensive GHG reduction program planning process.

Five working groups with representation from across all of Harvard's Schools and units are currently developing recommendations on the following topics: GHG Inventory & Measurement, Finance, Marketing, Communications & Engagement, Energy Supply and Building Efficiency & Demand Management.

Green is the new Crimson. Discover 10 new ways to Green Your Scene at HBS.

Peer-to-Peer Education

Green Living Program

The Green Living Program is a peer-to-peer educational program that employs six MBA students who promote sustainable living among the student body. The program focuses on energy and water conservation, and recycling and waste reduction. Through activities, campaigns and information sharing, the six Green Living Representatives encourage the student body to generally take greater responsibility for their own role in driving University-related environmental impacts. Representatives also suggest infrastructure and policy improvements that may remove barriers to student conservation.

Green Week

Every April, HBS hosts a series of events to raise environmental awareness throughout the HBS community. The 2008 Green Week was a partnership among the student Business & Environment Club, HBS Operations, the Dean's Office, and the Harvard Office for Sustainability. Green Week events include: field trips to LEED-certified buildings; films, panels, and speakers on business and the environment; and displays and activities on recycling and composting in dining facilities and other conservation measures.

The Green Team

The Green Team includes staff working to implement and communicate best individual practices to reduce waste, water use, and energy use. The Green Team sponsors an annual energy competition in which campus residents compete to reduce energy use in their buildings for one month. In 2007, participants saved almost $20,000 and offset carbon emissions by 220,000 lbs. or 100 MTCDE.

Sustainability intranet (login required)

Business & Environment

Andrew O'Brien

HBS Chief of Operations

Meghan Duggan

Assistant Director of Sustainability and Energy Management