In February 2025, Governor Hochul announced $150 million in funds from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 to support decarbonization efforts across SUNY and CUNY campuses. Four SUNY campuses and three CUNY campuses will receive funds for projects like installing energy efficient heat pumps and rooftop solar.

CUF’s April 2024 report, To Build a Greener New York City, Start with CUNY, urged New York State to leverage funding from the Environmental Bond Act to help CUNY reduce emissions, while putting CUNY students to work achieving these goals.

Our report highlighted that the "state’s Environmental Bond Act… will unlock $4.2 billion for climate mitigation projects, including building electrification and green infrastructure" and called on the "Hochul administration . . . to boost CUNY capital investment in the upcoming budget cycles, with a specific focus on increasing energy efficiency, reducing emissions intensity, and upgrading building systems." 

CUF has published several reports and commentaries that document CUNY’s aging infrastructure and its impact on carbon emissions and call on the city and state to harness CUNY’s students to help achieve systemwide decarbonization while preparing them for emerging green careers. These include New York City’s Green Economy Opportunity, 5 Ideas to Expand Economic Mobility in New York City, and Greening City Buildings.

CUF applauds Governor Hochul for investing in a greener public university system across the state—reducing emissions while improving infrastructure that serves thousands of low-income students each year. Going forward, the city and state should work together to ensure these investments create hands-on career training for CUNY students and expand pathways into growing careers.