American College & Univ Climate Commitment

American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment - Best Practices PDF

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Developing The Climate Action Plan

Setting Climate Reduction Targets

Incorporating Climate Neutrality & Sustainability into the Educational Experience

Expanding Research Efforts to Achieve Climate Neutrality & Advance Sustainability

Expanding Community Engagement to Achieve Climate Neutrality & Advance Sustainability

Tracking Progress

Implementing The Climate Action Plan

Financing Mitigation Efforts

Installing Renewable Energy Projects

Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits

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Utilizing Carbon Offsets

Addressing Curriculum & Research

Engaging With the Local Community

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Since its launch, the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment1 (ACUPCC) has helped transition the sustainability movement in higher education from a series of isolated projects to a cohesive network of shared best practices, successful solutions, and deep investment in sustainability education for all students.

Since 2006, the ACUPCC has grown from 12 founding presidents to a network of 665 institutions, representing all 50 States and every institutional demographic that U.S. higher education has to offer.

Signatory institutions have completed thousands of projects to reduce energy use, curb greenhouse gas emissions, engage students in deep systems thinking, and save money—demonstrating powerful and necessary leadership for the rest of society.

Implementation Guide Updates, Version 2.1

This updated Implementation Guide (IG) provides signatory institutions with guidance in navigating the implementation of the ACUPCC in order to submit reports, plan for climate neutrality, and create programs to advance sustainability on campus. The IG should be shared with anyone on your campus involved with meeting the goals of the commitment.

Included in this IG update are practical examples from signatory campus staff who have implemented the ACUPCC successfully – referred to by the ACUPCC and in this report as “Implementation Liaisons.” The ACUPCC is not only a commitment made by individual institutions but it is also a collective learning network, with avenues for sharing successes and challenges.

The challenge of planning for and reaching the goals of climate neutrality and education for sustainability may seem daunting, but together the lessons of individuals across the network provide a strong basis for shared learning, collective progress, and creative solutions.