Decarb Higher Ed NY
Higher Education Decarbonization Summit
October 7, 2026
An invitation-only gathering bringing together university leaders, sustainability executives, facilities professionals, architects, engineers, utilities, and clean energy innovators to explore the strategies, technologies, and investments accelerating campus decarbonization.
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Registration & Networking
Connect with higher education leaders, sustainability professionals, engineers, utilities, and clean technology providers.
5:30 – 5:40 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
The Future of High-Performance, Sustainable Campuses
Opening remarks on the critical role of design, innovation, and collaboration in helping universities achieve ambitious decarbonization goals.
Principal, SOM (TBD)
5:40 – 6:10 PM
Opening Panel: Leading the Energy Transition — Best Practices for Decarbonizing Campuses
University leaders discuss campus-wide decarbonization strategies, capital planning, electrification, energy management, deferred maintenance, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of sustainable campuses.
Moderator: Scott Donachie, CEO, Decarb Summits
Daniel Switzer, Director of Campus Facilities, Wagner College LinkedIn
Tony Gelber, Director of Administrative Sustainability, Pratt Institute LinkedIn
Ryan McEnany, Director of Energy & Resiliency, Pace University LinkedIn
Tria Case, Executive Director in the Office of Sustainability and Energy Conservation, CUNY LinkedIn
6:10 – 6:40 PM
Building the Business Case for Campus Decarbonization
Trane Presentation
How universities can accelerate decarbonization through strategic planning, energy efficiency, electrification, and advanced building solutions. This session will explore the financial case for campus transformation, including energy savings, lifecycle cost analysis, infrastructure modernization, incentives, and pathways to achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Trane
6:40 – 6:50 PM
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Transforming Campus Buildings into Energy Assets
How next-generation building-integrated solar technologies are enabling universities to generate clean energy, reduce emissions, and integrate renewable power directly into campus infrastructure.
Cory Fry, Sales Director, Mitrex LinkedIn
6:50 – 7:10 PM
Open Slot
7:10 – 7:30 PM
Open Speaking Slot
Speaker TBD
7:30 – 8:30 PM
Open Discussion & Networking
Peer-to-peer discussion with university leaders, designers, engineers, utilities, and technology providers on the future of campus decarbonization.
Why Attend?
✓ Learn directly from universities leading campus decarbonization efforts.
✓ Explore geothermal, thermal energy networks, BIPV, microgrids, battery storage, electrification, and smart campus technologies.
✓ Understand how AI, digital twins, and advanced building systems are transforming campus operations.
✓ Discover funding strategies, incentives, and financing approaches for higher education decarbonization projects.
✓ Connect with decision-makers responsible for campus energy, facilities, sustainability, and capital planning.