78 companies, universities and cities could potentially save more than $650 million dollars in energy costs. The savings have been discovered with the help of Climate Corps, a group of college students trained to uncover efficiencies in lighting, computer equipment and heating and cooling systems. The 98 MBA and MPA students are specially trained by the Environmental Defense Fund to help companies save money, reduce energy and avoid carbon pollution.

Companies including Target, McDonald’s, Facebook and Microsoft took part in the Climate Corps program over the summer. Students work with the companies to find immediate energy savings through equipment changes and upgrades as well as employee engagement campaigns. McDonald’s worked with Climate Corps fellow and University of Michigan MBA candidate Pia Jean Kristiansen. She helped the restaurant chain find creative ways to engage employees in energy efficiency initiatives. The work resulted in an educational video to help employees reduce restaurant energy use by up to ten percent.

Buildings account for 70 percent of electricity consumption and more than a third of carbon pollution in the United States. The Environmental Defense Fund created Climate Corps four years ago to cut carbon pollution by overcoming some of the barriers that prevent organizations from investing in energy efficiency.