First Wave of Implementation Progress Reports for Presidents Climate Commitment
posted by Niles Barnes on December 3rd, 2007 Go to comments
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Presidents who signed onto the ACUPCC by September 15, 2007 (”Charter Signatories”) are required to submit a report outlining the form of their institutional structures for climate action plan development, and which of the two or more tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases they intend to take or have already taken. The reports continue to roll into the AASHE office and many are already posted online here: Implementation Progress Reports. To see if your institution has signed you can view the Signatories page.
The reports are meant to ensure signatories are on track in creating a structure for implementing the commitment and to ensure that tangible action items are being taken during the creation of a comprehensive climate action plan. Below are the seven tangible actions signatories choose from:
1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standard or equivalent.
2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.
3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.
4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution.
5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution’s electricity consumption from renewable sources.
6. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution’s endowment is invested.
7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste. Please describe the 3 or more associated measures you have or intend to adopt.
Thank you to all the campuses that have already submitted their reports, we look forward to receiving them all.