USM President Selma Botman signed an agreement last spring, committing the University to create a climate action plan and to choose the date by which the school would be carbon neutral.
But it’s been slow going. Facilities Management hired Bob Bertram as its new director shortly after the agreement was signed, and the process was shelved while he adjusted to the position. USM has since asked for an extension so that the school would not fall into delinquency. The University now has until January to present its progress to the national committee.
The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment was drafted as a means of encouraging university Presidents to make a public and highly visible effort to reduce the carbon footprint of their institution.
? This Friday, the committee in charge of bringing USM in line with the agreement will meet for the first time, and Sustainability Coordinator Dudley Greeley hopes the work can begin in earnest.
? “Making this public statement was important, now we need to follow through,” said Greeley, although he acknowledges that on an emission per graduate basis, “USM already does very well compared to other schools in America.”
? Greeley also said USM is already in compliance with four of the interim steps outlined by the ACUPCC, instead of just the two that would normally be required at this point in the process.
? These steps include a written policy on waste reduction, a commitment to not use incandescent bulbs, and a promise to not buy any electronics that haven’t earned at least a silver rating from EPEAT, a consumer electronics ratings firm.
? “We also have a premier sustainable buildings policy,” said Greeley. He noted that the University already has three LEED certified buildings at the ‘gold’ level, and has committed to build nothing below ‘silver.’
? Greeley and the committee recently completed the requirement of drafting a greenhouse gas inventory, which documents the current carbon output of USM facilities, and allows for later comparisons to be made to track progress.
? Bertram said that while the ACUPCC is “a priority,” it is “mixed in with many other priorities.”
? “There certainly are aspects of carbon neutrality that can save the school money, but there is a cost to get there and a payback time period too,” he said.
? But Greeley remains optimistic, and believes that not even the most cash-strapped university can afford to ignore what he sees as a pressing issue. “Money is not a barrier, it’s a question of redirecting available resources,” he said.
? “If American universities aren’t leading, and demonstrating the desperately important steps that need to be taken, how should we expect our grads to go off and run better businesses?” he asked.
? The Free Press will continue to follow the progress of USM’s ACUPCC committee.? Check next week’s issue for a summary of the first meeting.