Universities dedicated to mitigating greenhouse-gas emissions on their own campuses are creating Climate Action Plans (CAPs), according to a new free white paper titled Striving for Climate Neutrality on Campus: 7 Steps to Writing a Climate Action Plan for a Reduced Carbon Footprint.
The white paper, from Needham, MA-based EH&E, details the key attributes required in a good CAP, and outlines the steps necessary for university presidents, administrators, and sustainability program directors to follow in creating and implementing a successful CAP.
"There are a number of distinct elements required for the creation of a university- or college campus-based climate action plan. To be successful, the CAP must not only be consistent in its overall approach to addressing specific needs and goals, but also flexible enough to allow institutions to adopt and benefit from the best-practice initiatives undertaken at other campuses," says Michael Crowley, author of the white paper and the Pathways to Campus Sustainability program manager at EH&E.
While CAPs must be tailored to the needs and opportunities of individual campuses, the white paper identifies and details the elements required for the successful implementation of a CAP at any campus, including:
The white paper, from Needham, MA-based EH&E, details the key attributes required in a good CAP, and outlines the steps necessary for university presidents, administrators, and sustainability program directors to follow in creating and implementing a successful CAP.
"There are a number of distinct elements required for the creation of a university- or college campus-based climate action plan. To be successful, the CAP must not only be consistent in its overall approach to addressing specific needs and goals, but also flexible enough to allow institutions to adopt and benefit from the best-practice initiatives undertaken at other campuses," says Michael Crowley, author of the white paper and the Pathways to Campus Sustainability program manager at EH&E.
While CAPs must be tailored to the needs and opportunities of individual campuses, the white paper identifies and details the elements required for the successful implementation of a CAP at any campus, including:
- Assemble a stakeholder-based committee to approach sustainability.
- Develop a greenhouse-gas inventory and conduct an energy analysis.
- Prioritize greenhouse-gas mitigation opportunities.
- Set greenhouse-gas reduction targets and develop a climate-neutral strategy.
- Conduct educational, research, and community-outreach efforts.
- Track progress and course correct.
To download the free white paper, go to www.eheinc.com/7stepscap.htm.
