University of Richmond president signs climate commitment
January 21, 2008
University of Richmond President Edward L. Ayers has signed an agreement committing the university to sharply reducing and eventually eliminating all of its global warming emissions and accelerating research and educational efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate.
Ayers signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, joining leaders of hundreds of other institutions across the country.
Under the agreement, the university will create a comprehensive institutional action plan to move toward climate neutrality.
Ayers noted a number of new and ongoing efforts on campus to build on the university's commitment to sustainability, including the installation last summer of laundry equipment in residence halls that will save a million gallons of water a year, use of biodiesel in campus transportation equipment and a plan to switch to a more efficient heating system in student apartments.
In addition, Weinstein Hall is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building, and the university has registered four additional projects for certification with the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification means the project has met a set of nationally recognized standards for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.
The Presidents Climate Commitment is the first such effort by any major sector of society to set climate neutrality—not just a reduction—as its target. The undertaking by America's colleges and universities was inspired by similar efforts by U.S. mayors and other collective efforts by states and businesses.
Under the guidance and direction of the Leadership Circle of Presidents, the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment is supported by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Second Nature and ecoAmerica.