Community Lecture Series | The Next Chapter in Campus Sustainability: Decarbonization

Thursday, November 2, 2023 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Keisha Payson is the director of sustainability for the College, since 2001. Over the years Payson has focused on both engaging faculty, staff, and students in Bowdoin’s sustainability efforts as well as ensuring that Bowdoin integrates sustainable practices and policies in operations across campus. In 2009 the College released its first climate action plan with a goal to reduce its own source emissions by 28% and then purchase carbon offsets and renewable energy credits to neutralize remaining campus emissions. In 2018 the college achieved the 28% reduction two years ahead of schedule and made good on the goal of becoming carbon neutral. At the same time, the College set its sights on developing a new goal to completely decarbonize the campus. In the spring of 2022, the College released “Sustainable Bowdoin 2042: Path to a Fossil Fuel-free Campus”. The detailed plan to decarbonize campus within two decades includes a minimum investment of $100 million in campus infrastructure between now and 2037 with the goal of utilizing carbon-free clean energy by 2042. Payson will provide a high-level overview of the plan and share some interesting details about the challenges and opportunities ahead of them. Sponsored by the Association of Bowdoin Friends.

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