American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment
HOME ABOUT THE COMMITMENT WHY SIGN? SIGNATORIES SUPPORTERS NEWS SOLUTIONS PRESS ROOM FAQs CONTACT
 

About the American College & University
Presidents Climate Commitment

 
     
 


Introduction

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

Building on the growing momentum for leadership and action on climate change, the Presidents Climate Commitment provides a framework and support for America’s colleges and universities to go climate neutral. The Commitment recognizes the unique responsibility that institutions of higher education have as role models for their communities and in training the people who will develop the social, economic and technological solutions to reverse global warming.

Presidents signing the Commitment are pledging to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse gas emissions over time. This involves:

  • Completing an emissions inventory
  • Within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
  • Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions.
  • Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience.
  • Making the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available.

The college and university presidents and chancellors who are joining and leading the Commitment believe that exerting leadership in addressing climate change will stabilize and reduce their long-term energy costs, attract excellent students and faculty, attract new sources of funding, and increase the support of alumni and local communities.

 
  BACK TO TOP
 
  Who's Who in the Commitment

Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is the chief governing body of the ACUPCC and is responsible for guidance, policy and direction of the ACUPCC. It is comprised of 15-20 volunteers from the Leadership Circle that reflect the diversity of higher education.

Leadership Circle
The Leadership Circle is comprised of signatories who have agreed to help lead the initiative, promote it, and recruit colleagues to join. Any interested signatory may join the Leadership Circle through December 2007.

Charter Signatory
A president or chancellor who signed the Commitment by September 15, 2007 is a Charter Signatory.

Signatory
Any president or chancellor who signs the Commitment is a Signatory.

Supporting Organizations
Under the guidance and direction of the Steering Committee, the supporting organizations work to support the ACUPCC in a variety of ways, including recruiting new signatories, helping signatories implement the Commitment, promoting the ACUPCC in the media, and fundraising. The three supporting organizations are: the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Second Nature, and ecoAmerica.

Implementation Advisory Committee
The Implementation Advisory Committee is made up of 20-25 experts and practitioners who have experience working with emissions reduction activities on campus. The Committee provides guidance about resources campuses will need to support them in implementing the ACUPCC and helps shape implementation strategies, policies and resources.

 
  BACK TO TOP
 
  Members of the ACUPCC Steering Committee

Michael Crow (chair)
President, Arizona State University

Esther L. Barazzone
President, Chatham College

Mark Emmert
President, University of Washington

David Hales
President, College of the Atlantic

Martha Kanter
Chancellor, Foothill-De Anza Community College District

G.P. "Bud" Peterson
Chancellor, University of Colorado at Boulder

Thomas Purce
President, The Evergreen State College

Judith Ramaley
President, Winona State University

Kathleen Schatzberg
President, Cape Cod Community College

David Shi
President, Furman University

David Skorton
President, Cornell University

Mary Spilde
President, Lane Community College

Mitchell Thomashow
President, Unity College

Timothy White
Chancellor, University of California, Riverside

Henry Yang
Chancellor, University of California, Santa Barbara

 

 
  BACK TO TOP
 
  Supporting Documents

The Commitment (PDF)
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment document (2 pages)

A Call for Climate Leadership (PDF)
A more in depth discussion, including the background of the initiative, a roadmap to climate neutrality, and illustrative examples of existing, successful actions from campuses around the country (16 pages)

Program Overview (PDF)
More details on the initiative, including a timeline and goals (2 pages)

Implementation Guide (PDF)
The 'handbook' of the ACUPCC, providing more detail on the specific obligations in the Commitment, explaining technical issues related to implementation, and outlining key policies

BACK TO TOP

 
     
     
Ready to Sign?
     
 

Site Map

 
  The Commitment  
     
  Why Sign?  
   
  Signatories  
   
  Supporters  
   
  News & Events  
   
  Solutions  
   
  Press Room  
     
  Frequently Asked Questions  
     
 
  1. Why “climate neutrality” and why act now?
  2. What exactly are presidents and chancellors committing to?
  3. How much will this cost?
  4. How does this effort dovetail with ongoing efforts to address climate disruption?
  5. What is climate neutrality?
  6. What emissions sources are included, and how are they calculated?
  7. What types of carbon offsets count toward achieving carbon neutrality?
  8. Does carbon sequestration on campus-owned land count toward achieving carbon neutrality?
  9. How was the ACUPCC formed?
  10. Who are the co-organizers?
 
     
  Contact  

 

     
 
©2007-2008 Presidents Climate Commitment.
All rights reserved.
Creative: reflectur.com