NJIT Charts a Carbon-Free Future with 2040 Neutrality Plan

As Earth Day calls attention to the need for smart energy choices, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is answering with a bold, campus-wide plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. More than a pledge, NJIT’s new decarbonization roadmap is a detailed, evidence-based blueprint to transform how energy is used, generated and conserved across its 45-acre urban campus in University Heights.

The plan is ambitious and intentional, ranging from electrifying the university’s vehicle fleet to investing in on-site energy production and storage to rethinking how buildings breathe and operate. It reflects NJIT’s mission to lead by example as a public polytechnic committed to innovation, impact and sustainability. It also reflects a shift in how universities are reimagining their built environments for efficiency and as active contributors to a cleaner energy grid.

About NJIT’s Sustainable Campus

At the heart of NJIT’s plan is a comprehensive strategy focusing on the university’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions, the direct and purchased energy sources that power buildings, heat water, fuel vehicles and light classrooms.

Key measures include:

• Fleet electrification of NJIT’s 50+ combustion-engine vehicles, paired with an expansion of on-campus EV charging stations.
   
• Energy audits of 11 priority buildings across more than one million square feet, identifying short- and long-term opportunities to increase energy efficiency.
   
• Installation of on-site solar arrays and storage, and exploration of microgrid capabilities to make NJIT’s power systems more resilient and decentralized.
   
• Upgrades to HVAC, lighting and building envelope insulation, and other systems to reduce waste and improve performance.
   
• A detailed monitoring and verification framework to track energy and emissions performance of each project. These data-driven insights will help NJIT refine its strategy over time, ensuring measurable progress and accountability at each stage of implementation.
   

These upgrades are being designed to align with NJIT’s 2030 Strategic Plan, its Facilities Master Plan and the university’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The efforts are detailed in its pending application of a $5 million grant from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) through its Higher Education Decarbonization Pilot Program, ensuring that NJIT is not only building smart — but also operating responsibly. Supporting this work is NORESCO, a national leader in building decarbonization, providing technical guidance, audits and implementation support.

“Achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 is not just an aspirational goal — it’s a clear and thoughtful next step,” said Andrew Christ, NJIT’s senior vice president for Real Estate Development and Capital Operations. “We’re reimagining how a technological university can lead by example. By reducing our footprint, investing in cleaner systems, and preparing our infrastructure for a more sustainable future.”

NJIT’s Leadership in Sustainability

While reducing its emissions is vital, NJIT’s commitment to sustainability leadership extends well beyond its campus. Through its Center for Building Knowledge (CBK), the university is fostering collaboration among institutions across the state as the founder and coordinator of the Campus Consortium for Decarbonization — a statewide initiative funded by NJBPU and the New Jersey Clean Energy Program.

The Consortium acts as a shared think tank and resource hub, supporting other colleges and universities in developing their decarbonization strategies. Participants gain access to shared resources, technical expertise, and peer support — lowering the barrier to entry for schools that may lack in-house capacity. It emphasizes shared learning, practical planning and scalable solutions that make sense for a diverse set of campuses and facility portfolios.

CBK also houses the New Jersey Clean Energy Learning Center, an educational platform built to increase awareness and knowledge around clean energy technologies, strategies and policies. Together, these initiatives amplify NJIT’s role as a statewide convener and educator, making it a critical node in New Jersey’s energy transition.

For NJIT students, housing these programs on-campus offers a hands-on experience to emerging careers in energy, architecture, engineering and public policy — creating a living lab where sustainable solutions are not just studied, but practiced.

“New Jersey colleges are building a blueprint for how academic institutions, alongside regional energy regulatory bodies, can collaborate to make real progress on carbon goals,” said Terra Meierdierck, Energy and Education program manager at CBK and founder of the Consortium. “This work isn’t theoretical — it’s practical, it’s shared, and it’s happening now.”