Climate change commitment

Hugh Muschamp

12 February 2008

Outline of this session

Climate change commitments Who is doing it? What are the benefits? What is the format?

Who is doing it?

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

Nottingham Climate Change Declaration

Welsh Climate Change Declaration Scottish Climate Change Declaration US mayors agreement

US Presidents Commitment

Format of commitments

Acknowledge that climate change exists and is caused in part by human activities

Recognise that there are benefits for taking action

Detail actions and targets

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

Presidents and chancellors:

Acknowledge unprecedented scale and speed of

global warming adverse health, social, economic and

ecological effects need to reduce the global emission of

greenhouse gases by 80%

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

Benefits exercise leadership in their communities and

throughout society modelling ways to minimize global warming

emissions integrating sustainability into their curriculum educating graduates to achieve climate

neutrality campuses that address the climate challenge

by reducing global warming emissions

College recognition

College recognition

Student action and recognition

Wider recognitionN

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Wider recognition

Wider recognition

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

Action agree a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality that within: two months

creates institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan

one year creates a comprehensive inventory of emissions

two years develops an institutional action plan for becoming

climate neutral

1. plan for climate neutrality

target date (as soon a possible) interim targets for goals and actions actions to make climate neutrality and

sustainability part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students

expand research or other efforts necessary

have mechanisms for tracking progress on goals and action

2. Tangible actions (2 or more)

new campus construction standards energy-efficient appliance purchasing

policy air travel offsetting policy use of public transport by staff and

students purchase at least 15% electricity from

renewable sources invest institution's endowments to

support climate and sustainability participate in waste minimization

College recognition

3. Progress reports

make publicly available action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports

encourage other college and university administrations to join this effort

Professional support

What could you do?