Endicott Announces Groundbreaking Sustainability Plan to Steward Institution Through 2030
Endicott College has announced an ambitious goal to achieve net zero emissions by the College’s 100th anniversary in 2039—and it’s just the start of a groundbreaking new Sustainability Plan that outlines a bold future for the institution.
The visionary effort was led by the Office of Sustainability and in partnership with Endicott’s Campus Sustainability Committee and President’s Council.
Centered around four pillars—Climate & Energy, Campus Operations, Health & Equity, and Experiential Learning—the Sustainability Plan will not only dramatically reduce the College’s carbon footprint but aims to contribute positive social, economic, and environmental solutions that will address environmental injustices and create a healthier and more equitable community.
“As a 235-acre oceanfront institution, Endicott is committed to sustainable practices, and this Sustainability Plan is our commitment to current and Gulls that Endicott will be here for another 100 years,” said President Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D. “Innovative thinking is the backbone of our College, and innovative thinking will lead us into the future.”
Beginning in 2025, the Sustainability Plan offers a roadmap and guide until 2030 that includes other milestones such as:
- Develop new onsite renewables and energy infrastructure to support 25% of campus power by 2030;
- Strengthen operational programs to reduce campus food waste, with preference given to minimization, and then diversion strategies;
- Develop and implement Green Building Standards for all new construction and renovations;
- Support the Center for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as they review hiring and recruitment practices and campus-wide academic and social issues, and develop educational forums to confront systemic and environmental racism on campus and in our society;
- Ensure equitable access to nutritious and sustainable food for the entire campus community that is affordable and meets various dietary needs;
- Endeavor to improve indoor air quality, occupant health, and comfort by making conscious decisions regarding healthy material compositions;
- Develop new and expand existing sustainability-focused courses to be integrated into the general education core curriculum;
- Establish a conceptual Sustainability Center to house sustainability efforts on campus, enhance engagement across the College, and cultivate sustainability research and solutions for our community and beyond.
As part of this commitment, President DiSalvo has also enrolled the College in the Second Nature’s Presidents’ Climate Leadership Carbon Commitment. By joining this initiative, Endicott aligns itself with a network of leading higher education institutions, including Cornell, Duke, Northeastern, Tufts, and the University of Connecticut, all of which are dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality as swiftly as possible to address climate change.
“As a coastal College, our future is directly impacted by sea level rise caused by climate change,” said Carly Thibodeau, Associate Director of Sustainability. “Our Sustainability Plan offers us a real opportunity to make a marked impact—to limit our impact on the local ecosystems while conserving the natural space around us and fostering a culture where prioritizing our planet and acting locally is a no-brainer.”
A living document, the Sustainability Plan will be reassessed in 2030 and updated to seek new sustainability opportunities and build on existing successes. The plan will serve the operations of the entire Beverly campus and extend across all its buildings and stakeholders.
Learn more about the Endicott College Sustainability Plan.