The Office of Sustainability provides centralized coordination, encouragement, and accountability to foster a campus culture that "cares for our common home."
In 2007, Holy Cross embarked on a journey to bring its carbon emissions from 23,056 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) down to net zero. We support this effort by strategically coordinating campuswide practices, policies, and initiatives. We track the College’s progress by reporting our greenhouse gas inventory externally and internally. We partner with community members across campus to implement ideas that encourage lasting environmental stewardship.
Coordination
Groups and individuals take environmental action every day. We bring these different stakeholders together to maximize the College's resources, time, and people-power for the purpose of environmental progress. Join our campus network through MyHC.
Encouragement
Recognizing that environmental stewardship takes a communitywide effort, the Office of Sustainability collaborates and supports individuals and groups across campus to implement ideas that offer lasting change. For instance, we've been involved with:
- Course development (e.g., an Academic Internship Program seminar focused on food production)
- Cocurricular learning (e.g., Pothos Corporate Responsibility Consulting Project)
- Events (e.g., Clean Out Your Office Day)
- Public engagement (e.g., Plogging)
- Professional development (e.g., a plant-based recipe development workshop with Dining Services)
- Operational changes (e.g., waste diversion through Hartsprings Foundation)
Accountability
In compliance with the Carbon Commitment, Holy Cross submits a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory to SIMAP regularly. This reporting process transparently demonstrates the College’s progress and provides Holy Cross an opportunity to assess current efforts and realign work to maximize impact.