In March 2022, the University of Chicago joined the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Climate Challenge as an inaugural partner reinforcing its existing commitment to reduce portfolio-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and to share successful solutions and decarbonization strategies. As a partner, the University is one of more than 80 organizations across the U.S. economy stepping up to the challenge and driving real-world action toward a low-carbon future. As the University of Chicago undertakes this challenge, the DOE will support its efforts with technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and a platform for the organization to demonstrate its commitment to being part of the solution to climate change.

“We plan on sharing greenhouse gas reduction strategies and progress with the broader market to help other organizations build on our success”, adds Alicia Berg, Assistant Vice President – Campus Planning + Sustainability. “We look forward to working with the DOE and our peers in the challenge to turn the risk of climate change into an opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and create a better future for our planet.”

The University of Chicago is a proud United States Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR Partner and now a DOE Better Climate Challenge Partner, collaborating with peer institutions to reduce higher education campus greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of this energy efficiency program is to: (1) reduce the impact on the environment as about 70 percent of University greenhouse gas emissions are from energy usage in campus buildings; (2) redirect funds currently going to utility providers back into the maintenance of our campus buildings; and (3) reduce the risk of disruption to our educational and research mission by locating and correcting issues before systems and components in our buildings fail. More than 300 energy efficiency measures have been completed in University of Chicago campus buildings since 2009, and buildings will continue to be a primary target of our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use.