Testimonial: Léman Manhattan Preparatory

Léman Manhattan Preparatory School, a private elementary school in Lower Manhattan using Standard Carbon’s Carbon Bridge program to meet LL97 compliance.

Location: Manhattan, NY
Industry: PreK to 12th Grade – Preparatory & Boarding school
Solution: Carbon Bridge by Standard Carbon
Answers by Scott Thompson, COO at Leman

Why did you choose Standard Carbon’s Carbon Bridge program?

It let us avoid retrofitting our heating system while still reducing our emissions on paper and in practice. That
flexibility was key. We’re educators, not engineers. Standard Carbon made it simple, affordable, and immediate. We chose
Carbon Bridge because it gave us a way to fully decarbonize without significantly impacting our building or disrupting
classes. As a school in a dense urban environment, we didn’t have many options. This was the first solution that felt
both credible and achievable. It’s turnkey, it’s traceable, and it aligns with our values.

What was your original cost and path to achieve LL97 compliance? Did you have any other options?

The traditional path would have meant ripping out and replacing core systems: district steam, piping, mechanical
infrastructure — all while trying to keep school in session. The projected costs ran into the millions. We looked at
electrification and renewables, but the timeline and the disruption weren’t viable. Carbon Bridge was the first approach
that balanced compliance, cost, and continuity.

What went into your decision-making process?

We pulled together a team that included facilities leadership, finance, external consultants, and the head of school.
Our biggest concerns were transparency, reliability, and long-term compliance. We weren’t interested in a band-aid — we
wanted a partner who could walk with us as the rules and science evolved. Standard Carbon made that easy to trust.

Do you teach sustainability to your students?

Yes, and now it’s no longer abstract. Students are learning how their own school is navigating climate policy,
decarbonization, and clean energy. It’s a real-world case study in what it means to be a responsible global citizen.
They’re not just reading about climate action, they’re living in a building that’s doing it.

Do you realize you’ll be the first school to be 100% decarbonized on-site? How does that feel?

Honestly, it’s humbling. We didn’t set out to be first — we set out to do the right thing in the smartest way we
could. But if being first inspires other schools to think differently, or helps prove that sustainable solutions can
work today, not someday, then that’s something we’re proud to stand behind.

Has this decision affected your curriculum or culture?

Absolutely. It’s become part of our sustainability education. Students learn about decarbonization, climate policy,
and real-world solutions happening right in their own building. It’s empowering.

Do you see yourself as a leader in climate action for your industry or neighborhood?

We do. Schools shape the next generation. If we can model climate leadership in a way that’s operationally smart and
educationally rich, we hope other schools, public and private will follow.