Advancing Decarbonization to Build a Better Tomorrow

Despite the turbulence in Washington, climate action is far from canceled—and the University at Buffalo is proving it. Join UB’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Ryan McPherson, JD '02, to explore how the university is driving bold progress toward its climate goals, reducing emissions, and making smart economic investments along the way. Learn how UB is building a stronger, more resilient 21st-century public research university—one that turns sustainability challenges into opportunities for innovation, cost savings, and impact.

About Ryan McPherson
As UB’s inaugural chief sustainability officer since 2011, Ryan McPherson works to create a culture of innovative and collaborative sustainability at UB and implements strategies to help position the university as a sustainability leader in the community, state and nation, as well as across higher education. Among his chief priorities has been setting 10 key strategies to implement within the next decade as part of the university’s climate action plan. He also has worked to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals across campus and New York as part of the broader work to create the next generation of change agents who are building the future we seek.  

Under McPherson’s oversight, UB has transitioned 100% of its electricity to renewable sources and reduced its carbon footprint by 35%, leading to university successes such as recognition as a national model for climate action by Vice President Harris, receiving the Green Power Leadership Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency, winning the New York State Department of Environmental Excellence Award, and being ranked as #1 in the world by the Times Higher Education Impact Assessment in taking urgent action to combat climate change. 

Prior to this role, Ryan was the Associate Vice President for Government & Community Relations where he successfully led a multi-year New York State effort that resulted in the enactment of the most comprehensive higher education legislation in the previous two decades.  He is also very active in the community and sits on numerous boards including the Nature Conservancy (New York), the Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable, and Gobike Buffalo.  Mr. McPherson is also an adjunct faculty member at the University at Buffalo School of Management.  Ryan received his B.A. in political science from the University of New Hampshire and graduated magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo Law School with a concentration in environmental law.