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A person rides a cruiser bike down the center of a walkway in the foreground, with a primarily glass-walled building in the background and between it and the cyclist a porch covered by a living roof and a small planter with a partially obscured sign that reads Earle M. Jorgensen Laboratory. Another planter with dry grasses contains a blue sign with a wheelchair and arrow in white.
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Annual Sustainability Report

Each year, Caltech's Sustainability Office issues an annual report reviewing the Institute's progress toward enhancing campus sustainability. Progress in the six main sustainability focus areas of energy, water, materials, built environment, mobility, and emissions are chronicled in each year's report.

Recent Highlights

  • A newly comprehensive understanding of campus utilities and spaces opened the door for a major campus decarbonization effort. In 2021, technicians analyzed thermal systems in every building and air flow in more than 500 spaces, and wrapped up a meticulous multiyear study of the campus utility system and energy sources, consumption, and associated emissions.
  • The return of many community members to campus as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted caused a rebound in energy and water use and waste generation.
  • Emissions rose as campus was reoccupied and cars began returning to parking lots in significant numbers.
  • Most Caltech community members chose a different method of coming to campus than driving alone.
  • Water savings were realized from new drought-tolerant landscape installed in place of turf.
The title "Caltech 2021 Sustainability Report" appears in white at the top of a photograph. Towers of orange and white balloons topped with the numerals 2021 appear in the foreground. Behind them, audio speakers and a giant screen face a seated crowd. Grass, a small shade tent, and a large tree are visible.
2021 Annual Report
The title "Caltech 2020 Sustainability Report" and date "April 2021" appear in black text over a photo of a four-story glass- and copper-clad building surrounded by drought-tolerant plantings and curving walkways.
2020 Annual Report
The title "Caltech 2019 Sustainability Report" and date "June 2020" appear in white text on a photo of a gray and black three-story L-shaped building with drought-tolerant plantings, lawn, and sidewalks in the foreground and clear blue sky above.
2019 Annual Report