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Sustainability at Miami

Miami University is committed to sustainability in our academic programs, physical campus and operations, and university mission by promoting environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability for current and future generations. This commitment is a collaborative effort that involves students, faculty, staff and external partners.

Miami University is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040

A commitment to carbon neutrality and our ongoing efforts toward a more sustainable campus are among the greatest gifts we can give future generations. Higher education institutions are essential in leading the charge for climate action and a more sustainable future.  - Miami University President Gregory Crawford 

Decarbonizing campus

-51%

Utility-based carbon emissions reduction (2008-2024)

-63%

Utility-based carbon emissions reduction per building gross square foot (2008-2024)

-13%

Total Greenhouse Gas (MTCO2e) reduction (PCLC baseline 2019-2023)

Sustainability Dashboard

The Miami 2040 Plan strategy to decarbonize our energy-based emissions is to further reduce energy consumption; complete the transition of building heating and cooling systems off steam; produce zero-emissions energy on-site; procure purchased electricity from renewable sources; and offset the remainder.

View our progress toward decarbonization on the Dashboard. 

sunset on campus

New projects support Miami 2040 Plan Goals

Sharon and Graham Mitchell near the Western Upper Pond and Selfie M

Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park

A $5 million principal gift from longtime Miami and sustainability supporters Sharon Janosik Mitchell ’73 and Graham Mitchell ’73, M.En. ’76 will create a Sustainability Park and enable Miami to start producing electricity from solar power. Two solar fields — Western Geothermal and the Thompson site — are expected to produce 2,260 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity annually. 

aerial view millet hall lawn

North Geothermal Expansion

The North Chiller Plant Geothermal Conversion project broke ground in June 2024 with the drilling of the first of 520 geothermal wells. This project — expected to be completed by summer 2026 — is Miami's next big step toward reducing carbon emissions. It will eliminate more than 5,810 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in emissions (MTCO2e) annually.

Sustainability Progress

sunrise over psychology building

STARS Gold

Miami achieved its second AASHE STARS Gold rating in spring 2022 in recognition of sustainability achievements. Our next STARS submission will be in spring 2025.

mcvey data science

LEED Silver and Gold Certified Buildings

Miami's 36 LEED Silver and Gold-certified buildings account for 36% of the gross square footage of buildings on the Oxford campus (August 2024).

Waste management: Recycling

Miami makes it easy to recycle: Single stream recycling allows plastics, cardboard, paper, metal, and glass to all be recycled together in one bin.

Academic programs

More than 60 % of Miami's academic departments offer sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive courses.

Community Partners

Promoting sustainability and climate action across the Oxford and Miami communities

GreenHawks

GreenHawks student reporters are devoted to increasing awareness about sustainability on campus, in Oxford, and beyond. Read their stories in The Miami Student.

City of Oxford's Climate Action Plan

The city of Oxford adopted a Climate Action Plan in September 2023. This plan acts as a road map for the Oxford community to achieve carbon neutrality and to ensure Oxford remains thriving despite the changing climate. 

Get involved

Join a student organization, explore the Miami University Natural Areas, take part in research.

Join a student organization

EcoReps promote sustainable living in Residence Halls through specialty recycling, educational programming, the water bottle project, trash audits and more. Follow them on Instagram @muecoreps. Zero Waste Oxford and the Food Recovery Network are some of the nearly 10 other active sustainability-oriented student organizations on campus.