Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Tom Kimmerer, PhD Executive Director, AASHE Sustainability and the Presidents’ Climate Commitment

We are too close to the brink

Success is Possible

Success is Possible, but not certain The major barriers to sustainability are social and behavioral. The scientific and technical challenges are much easier.

Success requires cultural change

Why Higher Ed. Is Important Colleges and Universities: – Use 1.6% of US energy budget – Use 7% of US Electricity – Use 9.3% of US building energy budget – Produce 1.8% of US carbon dioxide emissions – Spend $7 billion per year on energy – Spend $2.00/sq. foot on energy

Energy Why should colleges buy renewables? – Education

Energy Why should colleges buy renewables? – Education – Impact Colleges use 7% of total US electricity 30% of that would be 2.1% of total electricity capacity in US Renewable currently account for <6% of total electricity capacity Colleges could boost the renewable industry by 35%

Barriers to Sustainability The organization of colleges & universities is a significant barrier to sustainability

Barriers to Sustainability The Landlord-Tenant relationship needs to be replaced with a collaborative learning relationship.

Involve students and faculty in operations What is the real source of materials purchased by campus procurement?

Involve students and faculty in operations What is the real source of materials purchased by campus procurement?

Involve students and faculty in operations What is the real source of materials purchased by campus procurement?

427 College and University Presidents have committed their campuses to reversing climate change. The ACUPCC will be the great accelerator of campus sustainability

The ACUPCC defines climate neutrality as no net emissions of greenhouse gases within a defined scope.

Elements of the Commitment: Establish and Institutional Structure Measure GHG Emissions Take two or more tangible actions Develop a Climate Action Plan Report on progress

The ACUPCC is highly flexible Designed to be adapted by each campus – Timelines – Tangible Actions – GHG inventory methods – Implementation methods No requirement for purchasing offsets

Education is a major goal of the ACUPCC. The Commitment will fail if it is seen as an operational function of the college.

The Implementation Guide will assist signatory schools in getting started and in understanding the reporting requirements. Further support will become available from AASHE over the coming months

The ACUPCC is an agent of change in higher ed: Change in the way colleges operate Change in the way in which we educate our citizens Change in the way in which we interact with our communities

Universities and Colleges have an opportunity to lead Collective leadership is more powerful than individual leadership

National higher ed sustainability organizations AASHE - We are a member association of colleges and universities committed to sustainability in operations and curriculum. HEASC – We are a meta-association of associations primarily on the operational side of the university. DANS – We are a meta-association of associations on the academic side of the university. ACUPCC – A project of AASHE, Second Nature and EcoAmerica

Contacts Tom Kimmerer