Green Facilities

Conservation

Energy 

Facility heating is the biggest contributor to campus greenhouse gas emissions, so replacing our fossil fuel infrastructure is a top priority. Currently, seven buildings are fitted with geothermal heat pumps, which are a cleaner and more efficient alternative. These heat pumps utilize the Earth’s natural heat to provide both heating and cooling, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. With their proven success, expanding the use of geothermal heat pumps across campus is a crucial step towards achieving our emissions reduction commitment.

Additionally, Facilities Management and the Sustainability Office are working to implement mechanisms across campus to  help Hamilton meet its 2030 carbon neutrality goals, to include:

• LED lighting 
• Sensored air quality controls
• Electric mowers
• Replacement of paper towels with hand dryers
• Expanding available bike and walking trails 

Equipment and Materials

EV Fleet

Burning gasoline and diesel in Hamilton’s fleet vehicles and Grounds maintenance equipment represents 324 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Hamilton aims to reduce fleet vehicle and equipment emissions by 50% or more from the 2007 baseline and develop a comprehensive plan for gradual vehicle fleet electrification.

Fertilizer Reduction

Fertilizer use currently emits seven tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year. Hamilton aims to reduce fertilizer emissions by 60% from the 2006 baseline, as we gradually move away from synthetic fertilizers. 

Fugitive Fertilizer Reduction

Fugitive refrigerants are high global warming potential fluorinated gasses that can leak from cooling systems around campus. The Sustainability Office aims to collaborate with Facilities Management to study potential replacements that would reduce refrigerant emissions by 50%.