Progress is possible

Yale University has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 17% since committing to a steep reduction in 2005, President Richard C. Levin reported today in a speech at the University of Copenhagen. (press release)

Yale's goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020. That will require reducing emissions 43% from where they were in 2005, so they still have a long way to go, but they're moving in the right direction.

How are they doing it? From the press release:

• Installation of more efficient heating and cooling systems in 90 buildings
• New automated controls for heating, cooling and lighting
• Replacement of windows
• New and modified power plant equipment
• Achieving LEED Silver or better certification for all new buildings and major renovations
• Use of ground water for cooling
• A 10% yearly reduction in electricity consumption by students in Yale's undergraduate residential colleges achieved through a variety of measures

You can read the full text of President Levin's speech here.