Building a “Climate University”

Duke has been committed to building a culture of sustainability for decades, but the effort has taken on new urgency as the threat of climate change becomes more real. In 2024, the university reached carbon neutrality – no net greenhouse gas emissions. In 2025, it will convert to 50 percent solar power. The remodeling of campus infrastructure for greater efficiency will continue well into the coming decades, as Duke convenes broad-ranging discussions about the climate future and makes every degree program include climate awareness.

Learn more about the Duke Climate Commitment.

This story is part of the Sustainable Operations Series

Duke’s Chilled Water System

Duke’s chilled water system provides efficient cooling by shooting 39-degree water through a looped campus-wide network of around 15 miles of pipes laced through university and medical campus buildings. This network consists of three expansive central plants which use considerably less energy than having each individual building rely on its own air conditioning system.

Learn more about Duke’s chilled water system.

Carbon Offsets 

Duke’s carbon neutrality has been made possible by a longstanding commitment to create and invest in high quality carbon offsets — activities that lock away greenhouse gas emissions. Two full-time employees in Duke's Office of Climate and Sustainability work on finding ethical, high-quality offsets, and their scope is truly global — from destroying refrigerants in Bangkok to planting trees in Mexico.

Read more about Duke’s efforts to curb emissions. 

The Duke Reclamation Pond

In response to a 2007 summer drought, Duke decided to expand efforts to find a sustainable and secure way of handling water needs to properly cool campus buildings and labs without depleting Durham’s limited potable water reservoir. As a result, the Duke Pond, a 5.5-acre water reclamation project, collects rainwater and storm runoff from 22% of West Campus’ area for use at Duke’s Chiller Plant, saving approximately 100 million gallons of potable water each year.

Learn more about the reclamation pond.

Supply Chain

Sustainability is built into Duke's supply chain in numerous ways, such as Procurement Services' Surplus and Supplier Diversity programs. These programs lead directly to increases in items donated to non-profit organizations, surplus property items donated for Duke departmental use, and increased spending with minority, women, veteran, small, and LGBTQ owned businesses.

Find out more about sustainable procurement and waste reduction.

Solar Power

Duke University will soon be taking half of its electricity from renewables thanks to 101 megawatts of solar capacity from three new solar facilities being built off campus. Smaller solar installations on campus also contribute, including a 750 kW solar photovoltaic system on the Research Drive Parking garage, and a 45 kW solar photovoltaic system and 15 kW solar hot water system on Grainger Hall, the LEED Platinum home of the Nicholas School of the Environment. 

Hidden Sustainability at Duke

While many efforts to reduce Duke's environmental impact are at the forefront of discussion and on full display, the campus and greater community are home to a number of hidden sustainability projects that, while discreet in nature, are essential in collecting rainwater, preventing erosion, and helping to cool buildings. The water in the cisterns irrigates the plants and grass in Duke Medicine Circle and a handful of other nearby landscaped areas.

Read more about campus sustainability projects.

Duke's Sustainable Dining and Food

Duke Dining recognizes the modern food system often pursues efficiencies and profit at the expense of environmental health, community well-being, and fair economic relationships. Faced with this reality, Duke Dining eagerly took on the role of catalyst for changing the system. In 2021, 19% of all food purchases were local, 26% of seafood was local or MSC Certified by Seafood Watch Best Choices/Good Alternatives, and 100% of Coffee Purchases were Fair Trade.

Read more about sustainable dining at Duke.

Duke’s Sustainable Transportation

With more than 30,000 employees, thousands of students, and tens of thousands of visitors, Duke University and the Health System generate significant demand for transportation. Duke strives to increase the convenience and incentives for commuters using alternative modes of transportation in order to achieve carbon neutrality, preserve green space, and prevent congestion.

Read more about Duke’s efforts to curb emissions. 

The Last Coal Train

The final coal delivery by rail car in 2009 marked the end of an era and a step toward reducing Duke's use of coal and a big step toward sustainability and the reduction of the university’s carbon footprint. By tapping into other fuel sources and investing in the re-opening of the historic steam plant on East Campus, coal consumption that year was reduced by approximately 70 percent. Duke completely eliminated the use of coal on campus by 2011.

Read about the end of coal use at Duke.

The Duke Campus Farm

The Duke Campus Farm, a one-acre working farm owned and operated by the university, provides thousands of pounds of sustainably-grown produce and hosts food systems education. Year-round curricular and co-curricular programming and engagement opportunities are provided for the greater Duke and Durham community to reimagine the ways food is cultivated and accessed.

Learn more about the Duke Campus Farm.