Portland Public Schools

Portland Public Schools (PPS), founded in 1851, is a PK-12 urban school district in Portland, Oregon. With more than 44,000 students in 81 schools, it is one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest. We provide rigorous, high-quality academic learning experiences that are inclusive and joyful. We disrupt racial inequalities to create vibrant environments for every student to demonstrate excellence.

The District's Climate Crisis Response Policy, passed unanimously by the Board of Education in 2022, states the following:

In response to the human-caused climate crisis currently underway and the direct harm being done to our District, society, and planet, Portland Public Schools (PPS) is committing to immediately mobilize resources for climate action. To this end, the District commits to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and minimizing other negative environmental impacts; improving our school communities' health and wellness; and building a culture of learning, responsibility, and sustainability centered on our values of racial equity and climate justice.

The District's Climate Policy goals include the following:

PPS will reduce its GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2030, using the 2018-2019 school year baseline, and reach net zero emissions by 2040.
Achieve EUI of 30 kBtu/sf across portfolio by 2030
The District will take steps to prepare schools for the effects of climate change, and will ensure staff and students learn about and engage in climate solutions, climate resiliency, and climate justice practices.

In pursuit of our District Climate Policy goals, we will implement a decarbonization roadmap, a capital planning tool that will guide us through a decarbonization plan that will help the District prioritize projects to meet our emissions reduction goals while also planning for school modernizations and infrastructure improvements. These will include scopes such as lighting upgrades, HVAC and BAS upgrades, electrification projects, solar PV installations, building envelope improvements, and full-school modernizations.

Portfolio-Wide Leadership Commitments

50% GHG emissions reduction by 2030

Leadership Commitments

Better Climate Challenge

Goal

Commitment

Better Buildings Challenge

Goal

Commitment