FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ulli Klein, 617-722-0036 ext. 206, uklein@secondnature.org
ACUPCC Five-Year Report Underscores Profound Impact
Signatories reducing emissions, saving money and integrating sustainable practices
BOSTON (June 25, 2012) – The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment and its almost 700 signatories have demonstrated a profound and positive impact in negating the effects of climate change and integrating sustainable practices on their campuses since the initiative’s inception in 2007, according to Celebrating Five Years of Climate Leadership, the ACUPCC’s five-year report.
The report quantifies the progress of the initiative, which represents an agreement between nearly 700 colleges and universities to promote sustainability through teaching and action. These actions includes reducing carbon emissions on their campuses; deploying sustainable practices; revising their curriculums and cultures to raise awareness of sustainability in students and graduates; sponsoring research and developing best case practices; and engaging local economies and communities.
The report was released in conjunction with the ACUPCC’s annual Climate Leadership Summit, which was held at American University in Washington, DC on June 21st and 22nd. The report’s highlights include:
- More than 675 signatories, representing 6 million students or 30 percent of the nation’s college and university population, have committed to the ACUPCC.
- Collectively, entire network has reduced gross greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent since 2007.
- By 2022, the signatories are projected to reduce their gross emissions by over 50 percent.
- More than 30 percent of signatories have targeted becoming climate neutrality within 20 years.
- Signatories collectively represent the third-largest purchasers of Renewable Energy Credits in the U.S.—enough green power for 130,000 American households.
- Almost 200 signatories offer nearly 10,000 courses focused on sustainability.
The report also offers 21 case studies that showcase institutional success stories that highlight achievements in preparedness, opportunity and innovation.
“Our Five-Year report clearly benchmarks the progress we’ve made as a group in reducing carbon emissions and integrating sustainability in our signatories and their communities,” said Dr. Tony Cortese, president of Second Nature, the lead supporting organization of the ACUPCC. “This progress is rewarding and it underscores the importance of our work. We, however, are committed to using the report’s data and insights to enlist more signatories, engage more businesses and communities and ensure that higher education is leading the way to a healthier, sustainable society.”
About the ACUPCC
The ACUPCC is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments from college and universities to accelerate the education, research and community engagement to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate, and eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations.
Learn more at: www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.
About Second Nature
Second Nature works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable society by transforming higher education. Second Nature is the lead supporting organization of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, a growing network of over 675 signatory higher education institutions in all 50 states that have made a public commitment to transform the educational experience for all students so they are prepared to solve the climate crisis.
Learn more at: www.secondnature.org.
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