The Office of Sustainability is dedicated to making Bentley University more sustainable in every way possible. Here's how Bentley University is making strides towards climate action.
Bentley University's building square footage and population have grown by 3.49% and 4% respectively since 2008. Despite this increase, the university has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 70% over the same time period.
The biggest contributors to the university's carbon footprint are greenhouse gas emissions from: grid electricity used to light and cool buildings, natural gas boilers used to make heat and hot water, daily commuting and study abroad air travel.
In 2018, Bentley University constructed a 76,000 square-foot multi-purpose ice arena. The Bentley Arena was named the most environmentally sustainable in the United States and was the first standalone ice arena to earn the United States Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum Certification. The Bentley Arena has half of the carbon footprint of peer buildings thanks to a combination of high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; high efficiency ice making equipment; a state-of-the-art heat reclamation loop; smart LED lighting systems and a 504 kilowatt rooftop solar array. The Bentley Arena also uses 50% less water than peers and provides the perfect venue for students to explore the impacts of various sustainable technologies on natural resource use and operating costs.
