Rider receives mark of distinction for sustainability efforts

Rider University was recognized for its continual commitment to sustainability by Second Nature, an organization dedicated to mobilizing higher education institutions to achieve bold initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable society. Rider received a mark of distinction for its progress on becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

"We are incredibly proud of this accolade because it reaffirms Rider's standing as a leader among colleges and universities in creating a sustainable environment," says Melissa Greenberg, sustainability manager.

Rider is a charter member of Second Nature's American College and University Presidents' Carbon Commitment, now called the Carbon Commitment. The initiative focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible. Since 2007, the University has undertaken an array of initiatives to reduce its carbon emissions, including purchasing Renewable Energy Credits. They allow 35 percent of Rider’s energy use to be offset by wind energy. In addition, the Tri-Generation Energy Plant, which began running on campus in 2014, has decreased the amount of purchased electricity from an off-campus provider and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. The system uses natural gas to generate electricity as well as steam and chilled water.

Such efforts have lead to the University being routinely recognized for its commitment to sustainability. In 2017, The Princeton Review named Rider among the 375 most environmentally responsible colleges in its Green College Guide for the eight straight year.

According to yearly carbon-data tracking, Greenberg says Rider will exceed its goal of carbon neutrality prior to 2050.

"It's very exciting to see our efforts to make our campus carbon neutral working," Greenberg says. "We are well on our way to not just meeting, but exceeding our original goal."