Pomona's buildings are one of the most significant users of resources and generators of carbon emissions. The way a building is designed impacts how much electricity, natural gas, and water it uses, and Pomona is committed to using building design to reduce the campus' environmental impact. Pomona's Green Building Standards have been in place since 2003 and have required that new construction projects meet either LEED Silver certification (2003-2006) or LEED Gold certification (2006-today). These Green Building Standards include water and energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and material resources, among other important building impacts.
The College also maintains a set of Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Standards which describe procedures and policies for the everyday maintenance of buildings - including green cleaning, Integrated Pest Management, and other such processes.