Climate Action Plan 3.0
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About the Plan
Lafayette College’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) 3.0 outlines a pathway to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 while strengthening campus resilience to the impacts of a changing climate. Building on more than a decade of climate leadership, including the progress and lessons of Climate Action Plans 1.0 and 2.0, CAP 3.0 reflects both the urgency of the climate crisis and Lafayette’s responsibility to lead through action, education, and collaboration.
Through CAP 3.0, Lafayette recommits to climate leadership rooted in its values as a liberal arts institution with distinctive strengths in engineering, civic engagement, and experiential learning, preparing students not only to understand climate change, but to help solve it.
CAP 3.0 Goals
Roadmap to carbon neutrality
The wedge chart below illustrates an approximate timeline for how we will reduce our emissions between today and 2035. Our pathway to carbon neutrality includes activities in five categories that contribute to our campus footprint: thermal loads, electricity, transportation, waste and procurement, and Metzgar campus.
CAP 3.0 Impact Areas
Progress to Date
Overall since 2008, the College has recorded a 68.60% decrease in market-based greenhouse gas emissions for scopes 1 and 2. As of 2024, Lafayette procures renewable energy for 100% of campus electricity, eliminating scope 2 emissions under the market‑based method. Below you will see a 184.76% “increase” in scope 3 due to more advanced data collection and analysis on additional categories of impact.
Since the establishment of CAP 2.0 in 2019, notable achievements have been made for carbon reductions, the advancement of renewables, energy efficiency, academics and research, transportation, circular economies, zero waste, and our sustainable food loop, as well as for campus engagement. You can read more about these achievements as well as the particular goals still in progress from CAP 2.0 in CAP 3.0 Section 6.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CAP 3.0
What is a Climate Action Plan (CAP)?
A CAP is a strategic plan that outlines how an organization will reduce greenhouse gasses and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
How was the Climate Action Plan 3.0 developed?
Lafayette College developed CAP 3.0 to build on the progress achieved under previous climate commitments and to respond to evolving climate, regulatory, and institutional conditions.
At the same time, campus growth, infrastructure electrification, and an expanded understanding of climate risks and scope 3 emissions underscored the need for an updated, more comprehensive strategy to remain on track for carbon neutrality by 2035 and to strengthen campus climate resilience.
To develop this CAP, we embarked on a massive stakeholder engagement campaign reaching over 300 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners in 46 open meetings to solicit feedback and direct input on this Climate Action Plan.
Why now?
As Lafayette College celebrates its bicentennial, we reflect on our long-standing history, while also looking forward to ambitions that will define our future. Sustainability has been elevated time and time again as a key theme that must be woven throughout each and every element — from infrastructure and operations, to academics and research. Sustainability and climate action is and must continue to be a part of who we are as a dedicated value of the College.
As responsible members of our local, regional, and global communities, it is vital to take responsibility for our impact. It is imperative that we reduce our emissions to curb the negative effects of climate change and evaluate resiliency strategies. This plan is not just a road map, it is a crucial undertaking for the future health of the Lafayette community.
How is the Climate Action Plan related to the Strategic and Campus Master Plans?
The CAP is informed by both the Strategic and Campus Master Plans as the recommendations must align with college infrastructure, energy, culture, and community. The CAP provides insight into how the Strategic and Campus Master Plans come to fruition in the context of our climate commitments. The CAP is a separate strategic framework that builds on and contributes to existing initiatives.
How can I stay informed about CAP 3.0 progress?
Stay connected with Lafayette Sustainability and follow CAP 3.0 progress by subscribing to the monthly Sustainability Campus Newsletter.
Connect with us
Office of Sustainability
Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center Room 203
746 High Street
Easton PA, 18042
sustainability@lafayette.edu
746 High Street
Easton PA, 18042
sustainability@lafayette.edu