Sustainability at Hobart and William Smith Colleges
When Hobart and William Smith President Mark D. Gearan signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007, the Colleges cemented both their dedication to a campus-wide effort of environmental sustainability and a more complete education towards its mission. In doing so, President Gearan set in motion an institution-wide initiative that incorporates environmental sustainability in all campus life and decisions.
The Hobart and William Smith Collegesâ Climate Action Plan is designed to fulfill the Collegesâ obligation to achieve ânet zero greenhouse gas emissionsâ by 2025. It incorporates the input of students, faculty and staff in an effort to create an inclusive educational atmosphere that offers practical application for theories and ideas learned in the classroom, with the result of making a positive difference on the immediate HWS campus, in the local community and on a global scale. By fostering the growth of an environmental âliving laboratory,â this Climate Action Plan offers opportunities for students to become empowered leaders and agents for change.