Climate Action

Reducing emissions. Building resilience. Transforming our Campus. 

Climate change is already shaping Colorado and communities worldwide. At CU Boulder, climate action means reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for changing climate conditions, and integrating climate considerations into operations, construction and future planning. Across campus, we are improving energy efficiency, modernizing infrastructure, reducing emissions and strengthening climate resilience. The 2024 Climate Action Plan guides this work, establishes the university’s long-term climate goals, and continues to inform ongoing initiatives and updates.

Explore the Climate Action Plan

Our Climate Goals

   50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030

   Zero emissions by 2030

   Advance reductions in high-impact Scope 3 emissions.

Progress Toward Our Goals

CU Boulder tracks greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and other indicators to measure progress, evaluate current efforts and inform future action. 

[Explore Climate Data and Progress (coming soon)]

Visit Xcel’s website for their reported emissions data.

How CU Boulder is Taking Climate Action

Emissions and Decarbonization

Measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from campus energy, buildings, transportation, purchasing, construction and other university activities. 

Climate Resilience

Prepare campus infrastructure, utilities, operations and the CU Boulder community for current and future climate-related impacts. 

Understanding Emissions

CU Boulder measures greenhouse gas emissions to understand where they come from, track progress and identify opportunities for reduction. Emissions are organized into three scopes using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol framework.

Scope 1 | Direct Emissions

• Emissions generated directly from sources owned or controlled by CU Boulder, including fuels used for campus heating, university-owned vehicles and equipment, and other direct sources 

Scope 2 | Purchased Energy

• Indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity and other energy used to power CU Boulder buildings and operations. These emissions occur outside campus boundaries but result from the energy the university purchases and consumes. 

Scope 3 | Indirect Emissions

• Indirect emissions associated with university activities that occur from sources outside CU Boulder’s direct ownership or control. These include purchased goods and services, construction, business travel, employee and student commuting, food, waste and other activities across the university’s value chain.

Greenhouse gas emissions are typically reported as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e), allowing different greenhouse gases to be compared using a common measure.