Built & Natural Environments

Designing and Maintaining Buildings and Natural Spaces with Purpose

Addressing sustainability in our buildings and campus spaces is critical to meeting Johns Hopkins University’s climate action goals and protecting the well-being of our community and environment.

Johns Hopkins University buildings are at the heart of our campus community and provide secure spaces to work, live, and learn. However, they also account for approximately 90% of the university’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The creation and enforcement of green building standards embeds sustainability through all stages of every project across the institution, enhances positive outcomes for occupants and the environment, and reduces cost premiums associated with sustainability measures. Ensuring the sustainability of our buildings, the sites they occupy, and the infrastructure they rely on also adds to the academic experience on campus and serves as teaching tools that complement curricular learning for students.

As JHU works to address sustainability in its buildings, we are also committed to improving and expanding access to greenspace on our campuses that supports the surrounding regional ecosystems. The university continues to recognize and protect the role of greenspace in providing ecosystem services and social benefits including increased habitat and biodiversity, resilience to climate change, human health and well-being, and improved community linkages.

Built Environment

GOAL 5: Plan, Design, and Operate Buildings and Campuses to Safeguard Environmental and Human Health

JHU embeds sustainability and health into all campus planning, and designs and operates buildings to reduce emissions and provide healthy environments in which to work, learn, and thrive. The university also commits to aligning our leased spaces with climate and sustainability goals.

High-Performance and Healthy Buildings Requirements

Johns Hopkins University has begun phasing in a new set of requirements aimed at helping design and construction teams meet the university’s ambitious sustainability, health, and well-being goals in campus building projects. The High-Performance and Healthy Buildings (HPHB) Requirements are aimed at integrating sustainability practices consistently within campus capital projects – including new construction, major renovations, and building modifications. Detailed information about the HPHB Requirements can be found here.

LEED-Certified Buildings on JHU’s Campuses 

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a certification program managed by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon- and cost-saving buildings and is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. The majority of recent construction and renovation projects at JHU are at least LEED Silver certification; since the adoption of the High-Performance and Health Buildings Requirements in 2025, new construction and major renovations are expected to seek LEED Gold certification as a minimum.