by jbs040910 c3 — April 12, 2010—A new annual report from the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) shows that rather than waiting for “uncertain” government regulations, colleges and universities are stepping in to slash their own carbon emissions, research and develop new technologies, and prepare students to create a safer, clean energy economy.
According to the report, the participating schools are working to cut a combined estimated 33+ million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. ACUPCC, launched in early 2007, is currently comprised of 677 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, representing nearly six million students and about one third of the U.S. higher education student population.
ACUPCC schools, growing in numbers each month, have conducted greenhouse gas inventories and developed comprehensive climate action plans for their own institutions. Their commitments are voluntary and transparent, with public reporting submitted to the ACUPCC online Reporting System.
According to the report, 66 percent of ACUPCC schools have committed to reach climate neutrality in their campus operations by or well before 2050. In 2007, College of the Atlantic in Maine became the first higher education institution in the U.S. to achieve carbon neutrality. All of the school’s electricity comes from renewable sources. The college has cut its actual emissions by about 40 percent over the last three years and is continuing to reduce its direct emissions and thereby the amount of offsets purchased.
ACUPCC schools also ensure that all graduates are equipped to help society address climate and sustainability in their personal and professional lives. For example, Wilson Community College in North Carolina offers a certificate program in home weatherization and features the use of a carbon footprint calculator in a required course, and Santa Fe Community College offers a solar energy certificate program to help students find jobs in the solar and green building sectors.
ACUPCC members are also working beyond the campus. For example, Ball State University students and faculty recently developed a model for sustainable neighborhood renewal in Indianapolis that was selected as one of five pilot projects under the new federal Office of Sustainable Communities.
Many more examples of innovative sustainability-related activities by colleges and universities are featured in the new ACUPCC Annual Report, available online.
