The University of California, San Diego has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), a voluntary, legally binding program for reducing and trading greenhouse gas. UC San Diego is the first university on the west coast to join and is the seventh campus member in the US. UC San Diego expects that it will be able to cut its emissions below the limit and sell the surplus credits.

As of December 19, 2007, College of the Atlantic (ME) has fulfilled its net-zero pledge to become carbon neutral. The College has offset the entirety of its carbon output over the past 15 months. The College has also taken reduce its carbon emissions, including a comprehensive energy audit and extensive work to improve energy efficiency in all buildings. Where possible, incandescent lightbulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescents. Alternative commuting methods, such as carpooling and biking, have been promoted, as have flexible work plans so employees can work from home. In addition, the College is obtaining all of its electricity through a low-impact hydroelectric generator in Maine.