Sustainability is a core value at Bowdoin that is seen in operational decision-making all across campus.

The Bowdoin Sustainability Office originated in 2001 as an office within Facilities Management focused on reducing the college's environmental impact. The has implemented or overseen many projects over the years including significant waste reduction efforts during student move-out, food waste diversion programs, Bowdoin’s transition to single stream recycling, alternative transportation programming, developing one of the first EcoRep programs in the country, and focusing on efforts to become a carbon neutral campus. 

Bowdoin Achieved Carbon Neutrality in 2018 two years ahead of schedule, making Bowdoin among the first few colleges in the country to have achieved its commitment. When Bowdoin achieved carbon neutrality in 2018 the College promised it wouldn’t stop there—the ultimate goal is to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and advance a resilient campus that models climate solutions, creating educational opportunities for our students throughout the process.

In May 2022, Bowdoin College launched “Sustainable Bowdoin 2042”, a landmark campus clean-energy plan investing more than $100 million to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2042. 

bfu_silver_2022.pngBicycle Friendly University

Bowdoin College is recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists, joining an elite group of 221 colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia that are taking action for our efforts to make it easier and safer for students, faculty, and staff to choose to get around by bike.

treecampus_highered_logo.jpgTree Campus USA

Bowdoin College has earned distinction through the Tree Campus Higher Education Program! Bowdoin achieved the distinction by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education's five standards, including maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and student service-learning project.

Sustainable Bowdoin 2042: Path to a Fossil Fuel-Free Campus

Download the Climate Action Plan