The Environmental Model Committee was established in 1970 by botany professors Richard Goodwin and William Niering. The committee was first appointed by President Charles Shain to ensure that "Connecticut College's daily operations as a residential and academic community would provide a model for living in an environmentally sustainable fashion." The EMC was appointed on an annual basis by the College President until 2003, when the EMC petitioned the Faculty Steering and Conference Committee to be recognized as an official standing committee, with members appointed from various college constituents.

The EMC develops policy in support of campus-wide sustainability goals, initiates programs, oversees community education, and provides leadership around environmental sustainability. Comprised of twelve members drawn from faculty, students, and staff offices, the EMC works with administrative, faculty, and student offices, committees, and groups to research and develop climate action planning for mitigation of carbon emissions and campus climate resiliency; the conservation of energy, water and other natural resources; the minimization of environmental pollution; and the reduction of the college’s ecological footprint.