Presidents' Climate Commitment
The University's Climate Action Plan (CAP) has been submitted to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment. To view the University's plan and a summary of its contents, click here.
Background
Former University President Dan Mote became a signatory of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in May 2007. This commitment provides a framework and support for American colleges and universities to eventually become carbon neutral. As a signatory, the University of Maryland is reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from campus operations and moving toward the goal of carbon neutrality.
Over 670 presidents have signed the Commitment and all University System of Maryland (USM) institutions are participating. For the full list see www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.
Climate Action Plan
The University of Maryland (UMD) has inventoried its campus emissions (a GHG inventory) and developed a Climate Action Plan to help the campus become carbon neutral by 2050. A multi-stakeholder Climate Action Plan Work Group developed the action plan strategies and recommended the timing of the plan. Strategies in the plan include:
- Power and Operations (power generation, purchased electricity, heating/air conditioning/ventilation (HVAC), refrigeration, buildings)
- Transportation (Shuttle-UM, commuting, campus fleet, air travel)
- Solid Waste, Recycling, and Composting
- Administrative Policies (procurement, new construction, behavior change strategies)
- Education and Research (core curriculum requirements, other formal education, campus community experience, and research in support of campus climate action and sustainability)
- Financing Strategies
Click here to view the University of Maryland Climate Action Plan (CAP)
Click here to see an overview of the CAP, presented to the University Senate in April 2009
Timing
- <Greenhouse Gas Inventory reports – Completed annually since June 2008
- UMD community review of draft Climate Action Plan– April 6 - May 1, 2009
- Final Climate Action Plan – Endorsed by the University Senate on September 16, 2009 and endorsed by President Mote on September 28, 2009
What Can You Do?
- Educate yourself and others – calculate your carbon footprint and consider how to reduce your material and energy use.
- For a complete list of strategies to reduce your carbon footprint, click here.
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