The New England Clean Energy Council honored Brown as its Corporate Citizen of the Year at NECEC’s annual “green tie” gala Wednesday night, Nov. 2, 2011, recognizing the University’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Brown shares the honor with Yale University. The award marks the second time Brown has been recognized for its carbon emissions achievements. In June, the University was awarded the Excellence in Campus award from the International Sustainable Campus Network at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden. In January 2008, President Ruth J. Simmons announced an aggressive plan for Brown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings to 42 percent below 2007 levels by 2020. Since then, Brown has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent, well ahead of the target to date. Also honored at NECEC’s ceremony: BigBelly Solar, a global provider of innovative and sustainable solutions for the management of waste and recycling, as Emerging Company of the Year. Brown has several BigBelly solar-powered trash receptacles on campus.