Christian stewardship is not a metaphor at Alderson Broaddus — it is a daily practice. We belong to a hilltop, a watershed, and a region whose ecological health is tied directly to the human health of the communities we serve. The 2030 Sustainability Plan is rooted in three convictions: that we cannot serve Appalachia without caring for it; that we cannot teach the next generation of healers, teachers, and leaders without living the values we hope they will carry; and that the work is more interesting when done together.
The plan was developed by a 22-person task force of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members between 2022 and 2024. It commits AB to carbon neutrality in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 (Scope 3 by 2040), zero waste-to-landfill across operations, a fully electrified campus vehicle fleet, and the ongoing development of curriculum that takes place-based stewardship seriously across every major.
Annual progress reports are published every September on the Sustainability website. The Office of Sustainability is led by a half-time faculty director and supported by a full-time Sustainability Coordinator, two student fellows, and a rotating cohort of student interns from across the four schools.
30% of campus electricity now comes from a 1.2 MW rooftop and ridge-top solar array installed in 2023. Geothermal HVAC serves Burbick and Priestley Halls. Goal: 100% renewable Scope 2 electricity by 2030.
The Crim Dining Commons composts 100% of pre- and post-consumer organic waste with the Tygart Valley Compost Co-op. 22% of produce is sourced within 100 miles. Plant-forward menu options at every meal.
74 acres of campus are managed as native pollinator meadow or hardwood reserve. The AB Forest Practicum provides students hands-on stewardship experience. No-mow zones and pesticide-free policies in academic core.
Rainwater catchment supplies non-potable irrigation for the Equestrian Center. Environmental science labs monitor stream quality across the watershed. Goal: 30% reduction in potable-water use by 2030.
Twelve courses across six departments now include sustainability competencies. The Environmental Stewardship minor launched Fall 2025. Every Hilltop Core course will include a sustainability outcome by 2027.
Partnerships with the Town of Philippi, Barbour County Schools, and the Tygart Valley River Trust. AB students lead the annual Tygart Stream Cleanup and the Philippi Public-Land Plant Walk.
Year-over-year changes in our key sustainability indicators.
| Indicator | 2020 Baseline | 2025 | 2030 Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 emissions (MTCO2e) | 2,840 | 2,180 | 0 |
| Scope 2 emissions (MTCO2e) | 3,420 | 2,150 | 0 |
| Renewable electricity % | 2% | 30% | 100% |
| Waste diverted from landfill | 22% | 54% | 90% |
| Local food sourcing | 8% | 22% | 40% |
| Native landscape acres | 14 | 74 | 120 |
| Electric fleet vehicles | 0 | 4 of 18 | 18 of 18 |
| Energy use intensity (kBtu/sf) | 108 | 82 | 60 |
