The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) is a high-visibility effort to address global climate disruption undertaken by a network of colleges and universities that have made institutional commitments to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from specified campus operations, and to promote the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate. Its mission is to accelerate progress towards climate neutrality and sustainability by empowering the higher education sector to educate students, create solutions, and provide leadership-by-example for the rest of society. In 2007, President Jack M. Wilson signs the five UMass campuses onto the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).
In order to fulfill the requirements outlined in the ACUPCC at UMass Amherst, then Chancellor Thomas Cole formed the Environmental Performance Advisory Committee to write the University’s Climate Action Plan and to develop and implement projects that would help make the campus more sustainable. The first progress report was due mid-January, and is now available online for public viewing.
The comprehensive report includes a general statement of progress and sections outlining GHG emissions and reduction targets, education, research and community engagement efforts and progress concerning energy and finances.
Click here to view the full report for the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The next report will be due in 2014.
