About Us

Who We Are

Sustainability efforts at Harvard Law School involve well over 50 students, faculty, and staff members.  The Law School's commitment to the University's sustainability principles,  particularly the University Greenhouse Gas Goal (see below), is overseen by Dean for Administration Francis McCrossan.  Building improvement projects are developed and implemented by Facilities Management, led by Director of Facilities John Arciprete, as well as energy consultants from Aramark.  Communications and community engagement initiatives are led by a Sustainability Coordinator from the Harvard Office for Sustainability, who works out of Holmes Hall alongside Facilities Management.  Dining and custodial services staff members provide crucial support to HLS sustainability efforts every day.  In addition, dozens of additional staff, students, and faculty are involved through our Green Team, Green Living Program, Green Office Program, Green Early Interview Program, and other initiatives.  

Our Goals

Harvard University is committed to reducing campus greenhouse gas emissions 30% below Fiscal Year 2006 levels by 2016, including growth.  The goal was set based on the recommendations of a Task Force of faculty, students, and senior administrators which was established by President Faust in the spring of 2008.  Harvard is also committed to a number of broader “sustainability principles,” which include the environmentally responsible management of energy, water, waste, emissions, transport, building design and renovation, and procurement.  To learn more about the University’s GHG Commitment, sustainability principles, and green building guidelines, visit http://green.harvard.edu/commitments.   The goal of the HLS Sustainability Coordinator and Facilities Management is to bring sustainability principles to the forefront of HLS office and academic culture.

What We Have Accomplished

Energy data suggest that Harvard Law School buildings consumed 21% less energy during the first half of Fiscal Year 2010 (July- December 2009) than they used during the same six month period in 2009.  These savings have resulted in greenhouse gas emission reductions of around 600 MTCDE (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents).  Since 2006, HLS has reduced emissions from existing buildings by around 25% (by around 2,400 MTCDE), not including construction and growth.  Including construction and growth, we have reduced emissions by 17.7% (around 1,600 MTCDE).  In the future the Law School will work to offset roughly 1,900 MTCDE projected to result from the Northwest Corner Project when completed in FY11.

Our entire community is a part of these efforts; roughly half of the above energy and emission savings are attributable to occupant conservation.  Thanks in particular to the students, staff, and faculty who have adjusted their thermostats in support of the Harvard Temperature Policy, shut down electronics at the end of the day, switching off power strips, and turning off lights.  Our actions are adding up!

To learn more about our efforts, please browse the rest of our website, and in particular the Green Living Program, Green Team, and Projects and Initiatives pages.