Climate Action
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, with impacts already being felt in Maryland through rising temperatures, more frequent flooding, stronger storms, and extreme weather. As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Loyola is called to respond with urgency, compassion, and a commitment to justice, recognizing that the effects of climate change disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
Loyola's Climate Action Plan, finalized in 2026, outlines a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen campus resilience, and advance environmental and social responsibility. Building on previous sustainability commitments, the plan aligns with Together We Rise, the university's strategic plan, specifically to Care for Our Common Home. In addition to supporting strategic priorities, it also supports operational sustainability and compliance with evolving state requirements and best practices in higher education.
Developed through collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and external partners, this plan serves as a roadmap for meaningful climate action and positions Loyola as a leader in climate resilience and sustainability in Baltimore and beyond.
Goals
Achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
Reduce emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 60% from our 2015 baseline by 2031.
Become a leader of climate resiliency in Baltimore
Scope 1 Reduction Actions
| Action | Timeline | Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Increase the electric fleet of campus vehicles as vehicles are replaced with the goal of full replacement by 2045 | FY 2045 | Transportation and Facilities |
| Create a vehicle idling policy | FY 2026 | Sustainability Committee |
|
Increase public EV charging access on campus by annually reviewing the number of EV parking permits issued on-campus as well as the use of existing chargers to determine where more EV chargers should be installed. At least one, dual port charger should be available in every parking lot by FY 2045. |
Ongoing | Transportation and Facilities |
| Develop a policy to eliminate all fossil fuel infrastructure in new campus construction and renovation projects | FY 2027 | Sustainability Committee and Facilities |
| Replace fossil-fuel powered HVAC and water heating systems in all Loyola buildings at or over 35,000 square feet | FY 2040 | Facilities |
Scope 2 Reduction Actions
| Action | Timeline | Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the Campus Clean Energy Master Plan. | FY 2045 | Transportation and Facilities |
| Add electric meters to all campus quad buildings. | FY 2026 | Sustainability Committee |
|
Add meter to Boulder and Newman’s natural gas kitchen equipment. |
Ongoing | Transportation and Facilities |
| Update the electric substation to provide increased capacity for electrifying campus buildings. | FY 2027 | Sustainability Committee and Facilities |
| Prioritize low hanging energy retrofits such as lighting. | FY 2040 | Facilities |
|
Maximize on-campus renewable energy with solar and geo-exchange systems and retain Renewable Energy Certificates (specific projects in three rows below): |
Ongoing | Facilities |
| Add rooftop solar to the Fitness and Aquatic Center. | FY 2027 | Facilities |
| Add a solar canopy to the parking lot at 5401 York Rd. | FY 2028 | Facilities |
| Add solar rooftop on Loyola/Notre Dame Library | FY 2028 | Facilities |
| Add geo-exchange to campus | FY 2031 | Facilities |
| Utilize direct purchase, community solar, or Power Purchase Agreements to invest in off-site renewable energy. | FY 2035 | Facilities |
Scope 3 Reduction Actions
| Action | Timeline | Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Develop a Circular Campus Plan. | FY 2027 | Circular Campus Working Group |
| Increase compost accessibility across campus. | FY 2026 | Facilities |
|
Launch a campus re-use program for office supplies and furniture. |
FY 2027 | Procurement and Facilities |
| Reduce travel to campus through carpooling incentives and public transportation use. | Ongoing | Parking and Transportation and Office of People and Culture |
|
Reduce travel to campus with flexible work-from-home policy. |
FY 2025 | Office of People and Culture |
Climate Resiliency Actions
| Action | Timeline | Leader |
|---|---|---|
|
Incorporate green stormwater infrastructure when new impervious square footage is added in a sufficient amount to offset the new impervious space. |
Ongoing | Facilities |
|
Allow shifted work schedules for non-office workers where possible and equitable to allow for work to occur during the cooler parts of the day. |
Ongoing |
Facilities and Office of People and Culture |
|
Provide liberal work at home on high heat and/or red energy days to reduce energy use on campus as well as pollution emission from vehicles. |
Ongoing |
Facilities and Office of People and Culture |
|
Ask that all non-essential experiments utilizing hoods and other high energy appliances be delayed during red energy days. |
FY 2031 | Facilities |
|
Develop a plan for campus should a red energy day be declared while fall or spring courses are in session |
FY 2031 | Facilities and Sustainability Committee |
|
Develop a generator use policy that considers energy use, weather and air quality forecasts, and only allows use if generators when it is essential for health and safety |
FY 2031 | Facilities |
|
Develop, implement, and maintain an effective heat illness prevention and management plan in writing and in line with the Maryland Department of Labor’s draft Heat Stress Standard. Require that companies that contract with Loyola for outdoor work Loyola have a written plan as well. |
FY 2031 | Office of Sustainability |
|
Install publicly facing wet bulb globe temperature instrumentation on Evergreen, at York Road, and at Ridley for assessment of heat conditions OR provide handheld instruments accessible to outdoor workers and coaches. Ensure that coaches, supervisors, and employees know how to access and understand the measurements |
FY 2031 | Facilities |