Sustainability Initiatives

Small green globe sitting in grass and leaves.

We promote the responsible use of our resources in practical applications and in the education and engagement of our students.

As an academic institution with an international and solution-oriented focus—and our location in beautiful Monterey, California—we are committed to a sustainable way of life.

We understand the scope and the urgency of the current environmental crisis and recognize that every business, individual, and academic institution must reduce its environmental impact. Our professional faculty, ambitious students, and active alumni bring decades of experience in creating and effecting the policies that drive today’s environmental movement.

Coming Soon: Solar Panels

Facilities Services has begun a campus rooftop solar panel project over the summer to install solar panels on eight campus buildings that will produce over 60% of our annual campus electricity usage. The installation of the solar panels is scheduled to wrap up potentially before the end of the calendar year.  Check back soon for details on a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate this huge sustainability milestone!

UPDATE: Below is the list of buildings where solar panels will be installed and the anticipated date ranges when the majority of the work will occur:  

499 Van Buren:  8/29 - 9/12

Samson Student Center:  9/05 – 9/22

Morse and Holland:  9/11- 11/01

McGowan:  10/02 – 11/10

McCone:  10/16- 11/07

Library:  11/01 - 11/22

Casa Fuente:  11/16 - 12/13

Check out our content:

  • MIIS’s Carbon Neutrality Initiatives: A list of our current initiatives and projects
  • Auditing: GHG and Waste: Includes our greenhouse gas audit data, campus waste data, and our soon to be published 2023 Climate Action Plan.
  • Signed Agreements and Memberships: Take a look at the commitments that MIIS, as a higher education institution, has made to the global community. 
  • Get Involved: Find out how you can get involved in our on-campus clubs and engage with the Monterey Community.
  • Recent Accomplishments: Check out our latest accomplishments as we work to serve the MIIS community and get our campus closer to our 2028 Net Zero goal.
  • Upcoming Events: Our upcoming events on and off campus promoting sustainability.
  • Resources and Guides: A must have list of guides and resources to incorporate sustainable actions into your everyday life.
  • Green Event Guide: Our protocol for incorporating plant-based food into our on-campus events.
  • Our Green Thumb Garden: Find out how you can get involved in our student-run community garden.
  • Contact Us: Reach out to the Sustainability Grad Assistants with comments or questions!

Education and Research:

Sustainability is integral to the educational experience at the Middlebury Institute.

Several of our degree programs and professional development opportunities focus on sustainability issues, and many faculty members have contributed to the research on environmental, social, and economic sustainability, and continue to publish regularly on the topics. Additionally, the MIIS Sustainability Council meets regularly and provides the opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to collaborate on sustainability initiatives. 

Sustainable consumption and climate awareness are not topics isolated to the International Environmental Policy program at MIIS. It is imperative that all students—throughout the degree programs—contribute to and collaborate on initiatives that continue to put MIIS at the forefront of higher education climate action.

Calling all Monterey EV drivers: 

Please feel free to utilize our very own electric vehicle charger located in the parking lot next to the library.  The charger is available to all, so please use responsibly and move your car after it is finished charging.