Climate Action

Reducing Emissions and Building Resiliency

In 2007, the President’s Task Force on Climate Change was formed to develop a set of recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at JHU. At that time, students, faculty, staff and regional partners strategized pathways to address climate change mitigation, culminating in a 51% GHG emissions reduction goal by 2025. Since then, JHU has invested considerably in its infrastructure and buildings to utilize technologies that reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency. These initiatives have resulted in a steady decrease in the university’s carbon footprint.  

Solar Agreement  

On Earth Day 2019, Johns Hopkins University announced a 15-year Solar Agreement with Constellation, an energy supplier headquartered in Baltimore, to procure 250,000 MWh of clean power annually. The agreement is the largest in the state of Maryland and was the largest among any single university nationally at the time of its signing. Along with demand-side energy management and efficiency investments across the university, the agreement helps JHU successfully meet its goal of reducing the university’s GHG emissions three years ahead of schedule, while also meeting international climate targets to limit global warming under 1.5°C.

Transparent Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting

In 2022, JHU became one of only 19 universities to join The Climate Registry, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting and empowering organizations to reduce GHG emissions to mitigate climate change. Now, JHU has received a Climate Registered Gold Certification, a designation for those whose emissions have been validated by a third-party and are reported publicly. Verification ensures that JHU’s GHG inventory aligns with global standards and that the university’s data is consistent and publicly transparent over time. This step provides assurance that JHU’s reported GHG emissions represent a faithful account of our climate impact. 

On-Campus Solar Panels  

Johns Hopkins is home to some of the largest rooftop solar projects in the City of Baltimore. Photovoltaic panels sit atop seven buildings collecting solar radiation and converting it directly into electricity. These panels generate approximately 3,600 MWh of clean renewable energy each year—enough electricity to power approximately 200 U.S. households.