The Charge of the Action Plan

"The Charge" of the Sustainability & Climate Action Plan defines the purpose and direction of the planning process. It serves as the guiding framework that aligns the plan's commitments, goals, and initiatives, shaping how the university approaches sustainability and climate action at an institutional level. 

The Action Plan establishes an ambitious, comprehensive roadmap for advancing a sustainable, climate-neutral, and resilient future. Developed through an inclusive process, the Action Plan engages students, faculty, staff, and community partners to strengthen the capacity of the university and the communities it serves to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related challenges.

The Action Plan centers emissions reductions as the primary strategy for addressing climate change, while also integrating adaptation and resilience into university operations and planning. Grounded in the university’s strategic imperatives, core values, and Master Plan, The Charge directs the Action Plan to:

Eliminate Emissions

The university will exceed the commitments of the Paris Agreement, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from main campus by 100% by 2040, relative to a 2015 baseline. The university will extend this effort to encompass all operations across the state and globally, aiming for similar reductions by 2040. To ensure accountability, the use of carbon offsets will be limited to no more than 25% of overall emissions, prioritizing emissions reductions.

Build Community

The university will uphold inclusion as paramount, recognizing the privilege and responsibility of acting as a land grant institution. The university will actively engage its surrounding communities in the development of the Action Plan, fostering collaboration and input from diverse perspectives. Through these collective efforts, the university will cultivate a resilient and inclusive community that thrives in the face of climate challenges.

Be Actionable

The university will establish transparent and enforceable policies that ensure the implementation of sustainability and climate action across the institution. Clear expectations will be set regarding the scope of the university's initiatives and the areas that are still under development. A realistic timeline and financial plan, designed in collaboration with University leaders and subject matter experts, will provide a roadmap for achieving our goals.

Be Data Informed

The university will prioritize investments in optimizing the collection, analysis, and storage of data pertaining to sustainability and operational efficiency goals and metrics. The university will ensure decision-making is data-informed and that goals and initiatives are linked to transparent, measurable outcomes with progress reported centrally.

Inspire Adaptive Management

The university will integrate sustainability and climate resiliency as shared principles across research, teaching, and operations. The university will make iterative investments ensuring continuous evaluation, learning, and adjustments to foster our commitment to sustainability and climate action goals.

Demonstrate Leadership

The university will solidify its position as a leader in sustainability and climate action. Recognized for its research, teaching, and community engagement, the university will continue to lead the way in moving communities around the world toward a sustainable, resilient, and flourishing future.