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Thursday, September 17, 2009

UF's Carbon Action Plan


Announcing new initiative

UF President Machen was the first to sign the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2006. 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. Signatories pledge to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse gas emissions over time- UF has a 2025 carbon neutrality goal.

As part of the commitment, UF completed an emissions inventory, initiated several short term actions laid out in the ACUPCC, and set a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral. We are proud to announce the completion of UF’s Carbon Action Plan (CAP), setting GHG emission reduction targets in line with the federal American Clean Energy and Security Act.

The plan outlines the University of Florida’s intent to: foster organizational leadership and create institutional culture change; initiate, implement, and monitor energy efficiency strategies; continue and expand GHGE reduction campaigns; and install a minimum of 100 kW of on-site renewable energy. Implementation of the plan will be a collaborative effort. The UF CAP will be reviewed for progress annually and revised/updated every three years based on experiences and lessons learned throughout implementation of each progressive phase.

You can access the highlights of the plan at ACUPCC's website. The complete plan is also available.