Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Neutral Territory

HWS is one of only 11 colleges and universities nationwide to go climate neutral.

In 2024, Hobart and William Smith’s commitment to environmental sustainability hit a critical milestone: as of January, the campus is climate neutral thanks to renewable energy production and practices resulting in a zero increase in net production of carbon, methane and other greenhouse gases. This achievement puts HWS a year ahead of schedule and among only 11 colleges and universities nationwide to achieve climate neutrality.

In April, a President’s Forum Series panel consisting of alumni and students celebrated this progress and discussed the future of climate change (see p. 12). The event also featured a video message from former Vice President Al Gore, who praised the “truly significant contributions to the growing climate action movement…that have already made Hobart and William Smith a national leader in campus climate action.”

“This is a huge, multiyear success,” says Professor Tom Drennen, the Stine Family Endowed Chair in Management and Entrepreneurship, who has been a driving force in HWS’ sustainability efforts. “It’s taken a lot of planning and collaboration, so it’s very exciting to reach this goal.”

By the numbers

11

Number of colleges and universities nationwide, including HWS, that have achieved climate neutrality.

16,000+

Total number of panels at HWS’ two solar arrays.

6

Number of electric vehicle charging stations on campus.

2

Number of solar farms powering the HWS campus. Together, the arrays represent one of the largest solar installations at a higher education institution in New York State.

2007

The year HWS was a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, promising climate neutrality by 2025.

2016

The year the first solar farm, located on Route 14N in Geneva, went online, followed the next year by the Gates Road site in the Town of Seneca.

39.2 GWh

Energy generated to date.

23,056

Number of barrels of oil mitigated.

26,392

Number of trees saved by the solar arrays.

49%

Percentage of campus electricity usage generated by the HWS solar farms; the remaining portion of electricity is offset by wind power generated elsewhere in the U.S., which HWS supports by purchasing credits.

38,743,083 lbs.

Amount of carbon offset by the HWS solar farms since they went online.

Learn more about HWS’ ongoing sustainability initiatives.

 

*Numbers as of May 2024