UW Tacoma pledges climate action plan in writing

Since this story was written, the UW has published a new Sustainability Action Plan. The original 2009 Climate Action Plan and an archive of progress reports, as well as the newer plan, are available here.

The University of Washington Tacoma has joined hundreds of colleges and universities that have written "climate action plans," detailing specific steps they are taking to reach "climate neutrality" by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and long-term operational costs. The plans, filed with the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment Colleagues on Sept. 15, represent the largest-ever segment of a societal sector to simultaneously announce concrete activities to address global warning.

The ACUPCC defines climate neutrality as having no net greenhouse gas emissions, to be achieved by eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions, or by minimizing emissions as much as possible and using carbon offsets or other measures to mitigate the remaining emissions.

Among the details in UW's plan is the intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet or exceed the goals mandated by the Washington State Legislature in April. The Legislature requires state agencies to reduce emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and 36 percent below 2005 levels by 2035.

Although "climate neutrality" is not specified in the state mandate, the university hopes to achieve it by 2050, but recognizes that the necessary technologies, as well as federal and international policies to support it, are still emerging. The UW plan recognizes it "will play an important role in guiding the very developments that will make greenhouse gas neutrality possible."

In a cover letter accompanying the 65-page plan for all three UW campuses, UW Tacoma Chancellor Patricia Spakes wrote, "The University of Washington Tacoma is excited to take a leadership role in supporting sustainability and environmental stewardship in the region we serve. Our campus recognizes that we are uniquely positioned as a growing campus to be at the forefront of innovative projects that can demonstrate our commitment to the goals of climate neutrality."

About the ACUPCC

Launched in 2007, the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment is a network of 650 signatory schools, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This high-visibility effort to address global warming garners institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the Earth's climate. For more information, visit www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.