Sustainability Initiatives

University of Minnesota celebrates five years of sustainability

The University’s sustainability efforts have included reducing water consumption and cutting coal use on campus, as well as a goal of reducing campus-wide energy consumption by five percent each year.
Oct. 23, 2014

The University of Minnesota is celebrating five years of sustainability efforts.

The school launched the “It All Adds Up” campaign in 2009 with the goal of reducing energy consumption on campus and creating a greener community, according to the Minnesota Daily.

The University’s sustainability efforts have included reducing water consumption and cutting coal use on campus, as well as a goal of reducing campus-wide energy consumption by five percent each year. The school has actually exceeded that goal ahead of schedule in large part due to building updates that have resulted in better efficiency.

The school’s energy management has reviewed and updated more than 50 buildings to make them more sustainable. The renovations have saved $7.6 million each year in energy costs. For example, the University updated TCF Bank Stadium’s mechanical systems, which resulted in savings of nearly $100,000 annually, the Minnesota Daily reported.

Sign up for American School & University Newsletters