Introduction to the ACUPCC

On April 27, 2007, the University of Cincinnati signed the charter to join the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

Building on the growing momentum for leadership and action on climate change, the Presidents Climate Commitment provides a framework and support for America’s colleges and universities to go climate neutral. The Commitment recognizes the unique responsibility that institutions of higher education have as role models for their communities and in training the people who will develop the social, economic and technological solutions to reverse global warming.

Presidents signing the Commitment are pledging to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse gas emissions over time. This involves:

• Completing an emissions inventory. 
  
• Within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
  
• Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions.
  
• Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience.
• Making the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available.
  

The college and university presidents and chancellors who are joining and leading the Commitment believe that exerting leadership in addressing climate change will stabilize and reduce their long-term energy costs, attract excellent students and faculty, attract new sources of funding, and increase the support of alumni and local communities.  

For more information, visit the ACUPCC website.

As a signatory institution, UC is making strides in many areas to reduce its environmental impact and achieve climate neutrality.  For more information on these initatives, click on any of the tabs to the left.

Introduction to AASHE

UC is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).  AASHE provides resources, professional development, and a network of support on campus sustainability topics to member institutions.  AASHE envisions a prosperous, equitable, and ecologically healthy world. In such a world, higher education plays a vital role in ensuring that people have an understanding of the interdependencies between environmental, social, and economic forces and the skills and abilities to meet sustainability challenges.  Anyone affiliated with UC may access AASHE member resources by signing up for an AASHE account with an uc.edu email address.