Sustainability

American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment making great strides

Program to unite higher education in sustainability effort now more than 400 schools strong

The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, which was launched at a Climate Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. in June, continues to gain momentum. NIRSA Executive Director Kent J. Blumenthal represented NIRSA at the Summit (see background story).

The ACUPCC represents great progress in the effort to create a sustainable society, and the fight against climate change. To date, more than 400 schools across the country, representing the wide spectrum of higher education institutions, have pledged to create a plan to pursue climate neutrality in their operations and promote climate education in their research and education, and more are joining every day.

Efforts to fulfill the terms of the Commitment are under way on campuses, as signatory schools prepare to provide feedback by November 15 on the initial elements: the creation of the institutional structure formed to implement the Commitment, and the identification of the two tangible actions they intend to complete while their long-term Climate Action Plan is being developed. Student awareness and engagement will be crucial to the success of implementing the ACUPCC on campus, as the most important element of the Commitment is for students to develop the knowledge, values, behaviors, and skills needed to lead the fight against climate disruption.