Mason’s Climate Commitment

In the summer of 2007, Mason’s President Alan Merten signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and thereby committed Mason to becoming “climate neutral.” That means the university is actively taking steps to reduce or offset all CO2 emissions associated with the university’s electricity use, heating, cooling, commuting, and travel.

Already real progress has been made. Mason is saving more than $1 million every year in utility costs with the help of an energy-efficiency contract with Siemens Building Technologies initiated in 2004. Mason also now has policies that all new buildings will be built to green standards. Learn more about current and future actions.

The Sustainability Office is completing a greenhouse gas inventory and will soon enlist the campus community in the development of a Climate Action Plan to identify the most effective ways to further reduce our emissions.

In the meantime, simple steps like turning out lights when leaving a room, powering down computers when not in use, and recycling cans, bottles, and paper make a real difference. Read more about ways you can help whether you are a resident student, non-resident student, or faculty/staff member.

Several hundred members of the Mason community have volunteered to lend support by informing others at Mason how they can reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. We call these messengers Climate Champions. Interested? Learn more...

Siemens associate hard at work saving Mason energy and water