Sustainable Smith

In 1886, Florence Merriam Bailey, a student concerned about the plight of birds, started the Smith College Audubon Society and began weaving the fabric of sustainability at Smith that can now be found across all aspects of the college—in academics, operations, research and student life. Smith prepares women through active learning and societal engagement to foster and lead sustainable, just communities and to make significant and lasting contributions to address the critical issues of the times. Like Florence, students are frequently at the heart of sustainability issues on campus. You’ll find their stories throughout these pages.

It’s Easy Being Green

Smith is going green, again! Slated to be completed in summer 2025, Kathleen McCartney Hall—the future home of the Lazarus Center for Career Development and the Wurtele Center for Leadership—will be made of responsibly sourced mass timber (a first for a Smith building!), will feature a living roof, and—in conjunction with Smith’s extensive geothermal energy project—will soon be among the most sustainable buildings on campus.

Read the Article Learn More About the Project

Carbon Neutral by 2030

We are committed to acting against climate change and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality means achieving net zero carbon emissions by sequestering or offsetting the equivalent amount of carbon or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as we release. Since the early 2000’s we have been reducing our energy consumption (demand) and cleaning up our energy supply with renewable generation sources.

Learn More About Our Commitment to Carbon Neutrality

Explore Sustainability at Smith

Academics

Students engaged in sustainability coursework

Get Involved

Action and Impact

Students taking action in sustainability

For Faculty

Center for the Environment (CEEDS)

Center for the Environment, Ecological Design & Sustainability, Smith College

MacLeish Field Station

An Example of Energy Storage

Professor of Engineering Judy Cardell, with the help of some students, assesses the viability of thermal energy storage on campus. “I think we’re going to have a bigger impact by being an example for other colleges and perhaps urban neighborhoods to learn from,” she says.

Read The Article More About Professor Cardell

Real-World Applications

Eugenia Rogers ’25 recently interned with Domini, a women-led mutual fund firm that combines investing with positive impacts on the planet. Here’s what she had to say about discovering the far reaches of environmental work.

“I am thankful for the research training I had at Smith before this opportunity. I took ENV 201: Researching Environmental Problems course before I started working at Domini. The research skills and techniques I learnt in that class helped set me up for success. I was able to hone them and share with my intern team as well who weren't exposed much to environmental science. My learning at Smith helped me write an 8-page summary on best practices for the corporate industry to implement to curtail global deforestation.”

“It's incredible what being open-minded can bring your way. I had no clue that what I'm studying could benefit the finance world. I was surprised to see how much both fields could influence each other, especially with the ESG boom that's currently happening in the world today. It has exposed me to the endless possibilities available with an ES&P degree, even for a Black international student like me. I'm super excited for what comes next!”