Brown is commited to campus sustainability.  The University's Energy and Environment Mission Statement affirms that "in order to develop sustainable and equitable patterns of local and global resource use, Brown University will minimize its energy use, reduce negative environmental impacts and promote environmental stewardship. Brown will use the opportunities created by these actions to further its educational, research and service missions."

Brown has made the following commitments in support of it's Energy and Environment Mission Statement. 

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

On January 24, 2008 President Simmons announced Brown’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals.  They call for a 42 percent reduction below 2007 levels (equivalent to 15 percent below 1990 levels) by 2020. 

For the past three year Brown has dramatically exceeded its interim goals of 4% per year reduction in green house gas emissions.  By 2010 Brown had reduced its carbon footprint by 57,519 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, or 21.2% below 2007 levels.

More information about the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals and how Brown is achieving them can be found in the Annual Sustainability Report.

Signatory of International Sustainable Campus Network’s Sustainable Campus Charter

On January 28, 2010, President Ruth Simmons signed the Sustainable Campus Charter . Signatories, of the Sustainable Campus Charter, become partners of the International Sustainable Campus Network, whose purpose, according to the Network charter, is to enhance universities' commitments to construct, redesign, and organize their campuses in an exemplary and sustainable way and to include the experiences in their education.   

 

Annual Sustainability Reports  

Compiled by the Facilities Management Energy & Environment Office, the Annual Sustainability Report delineates the means by which Brown University has taken measures to promote and sustain environmentally conscious operations and behavior on campus. Each report includes information on University commitments, energy reduction, green buildings, waste reduction and recycling efforts, student groups and projects, transportation, dining, graphic services, purchasing and green cleaning.