CU pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the sustainability summit
Chancellor G.P. “Bud” Peterson announced an ambitious plan to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions on CU at the 2007 Rocky Mountain Sustainability Summit today.
Peterson has signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and while the details of the commitment are not yet disclosed, they are a part of CU’s new environmental action.
“There is a spirit of innovation and resolve overtaking the nation that we can and must achieve energy independence and environmental sustainability in this
century,” Peterson said in a press release. “By signing this commitment, CU-Boulder takes the lead on creating a more efficient, environmentally aware campus and rises to the challenge of supporting an entire community with an increased awareness of the part we all play in creating a more sustainable world.”
Seventy-four other U.S. universities and colleges have already signed the pledge, committing them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This helps to achieve the overall goal of carbon neutrality, also known as zero net greenhouse gas emissions.
The CU Student Union has already agreed to a two-year commitment to plan for carbon neutrality for all of the UCSU buildings over a month ago. This announcement brings the entire campus together in a formative plan for a more sustainable campus.
According to the press release, Peterson will state plans to save an annual $250,000 starting in 2007 for innovations to reduce campus energy use.
The press release also stated that, “In the near future, the university may seek new funds or a reallocation of a portion of these funds for renewable energy
production systems on properties on or close to the CU-Boulder campus.”
The 2007 Rocky Mountain Sustainability Summit will be held today and tomorrow in the UMC and include several speakers such as former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart, the Wirth Chair Professor at the CU-Denver and Health Sciences Center; Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson; prominent environmental experts Hunter Lovins and David Orr; CU-Boulder history and environmental studies Professor Patty Limerick; and Arizona State University President Michael Crow.
For more information, visit CU Ecenter. To learn more about the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, click here.
Check back with The Campus Press for updates on this story.
Campus Press Staff Writer Amanda Pehrson can be contacted at Amanda.pehrson@thecampuspress.com
