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American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

A Good Idea

Description

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is an effort to garner support from institutional leaders to model ways to minimize global warming and to educate students and the community on the importance of achieving climate neutrality and sustainability. College and university leaders are asked to sign a commitment to the following:

1) Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality, such as completing a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions;

2) Implement two or more actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while the more comprehensive plan is being developed. Such actions can include green policies on new campus construction; offsetting emissions generated by personnel air travel; provide incentives for public transportation use; and purchase at least 15% of electricity from renewable sources.

Goal / Mission

The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address global warming on college campuses.

Results / Accomplishments

Over 500 colleges and universities have signed the commitment and submitted progress reports on their achievements to date. Ninety nine percent of participating institutions implemented at least two of the recommended actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Second Nature
Primary Contact
Anthony D Cortese, Sc.D.
Second Nature
18 Tremont Street, Suite 1120
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 224-1611
acortese@secondnature.org
http://www.secondnature.org/programs/american-coll...
Topics
Environmental Health / Weather & Climate
Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
Environmental Health / Air
Organization(s)
Second Nature
Source
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Date of implementation
2007
Location
USA
For more details
Additional Audience
U.S. Colleges and Universities
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance