Climate Action Plan Team of the Environmental Literacy Workgroup ( CAP-EL Team) February 02, 2009 Meeting

Meeting Agenda I.Welcome & Introductions II.Review of the ACUPCC & UConn’s Commitment a.Links to the Academic Plan b.Example: UC Berkeley III. Next Step: Survey of Current/Planned Programs

Announcements: UConn Teach-In on Global Warming Feb. 2-6, UConn Student Climate Action Summit Feb. 5 th, 5-6:30p Room 304C, Student Union "Global Warming and Family Life" Panel Discussion Feb. 4 th, 11:00a-1:00p and Feb. 6 th, 2-4p Family Studies Building, Room 216

Meeting Agenda I.Welcome & Introductions II.Review of the ACUPCC & UConn’s Commitment a.Links to the Academic Plan b.Example: UC Berkeley III. Next Step: Survey of Current/Planned Programs

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) On March 25, 2008 University of Connecticut President Mike Hogan signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Over 100 students, faculty and staff attended the ceremony.

The Commitment… Presidents signing the Commitment are pledging their institution to eliminate its contribution to global warming over time. This involves: Establishing an institutional structure to oversee development and implementation of the school’s program to comply with the ACUPCC; Completing an emissions inventory within a year; Within two years, establish a climate neutrality action plan and set a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral; Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of tangible action options; Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience Modified from pg. 6, “Overview of the Commitment”, ACUPCC Implementation Guide

Dates & Deadlines March 15, 2008 – President Hogan signs ACUPCC May 15, 2008 – UConn Implementation Start Date August 2009 – Anticipated Climate Action Plan completion date May 15, 2010 – Deadline for CAP submission

Climate Action Plan – Format Introduction Campus Emissions (inventory w/ trajectory) Mitigation Strategies Educational, Research, Community Outreach Efforts Financing Tracking Progress

Educational, Research, Community Outreach Efforts “Describes plans to make climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and/or other educational experience for all students as well as actions to expand research, community outreach and/or other efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality; this section should include subsections on education, research, and community outreach.” - pg. 21, ACUPCC Implementation Guide

Curriculum & Other Educational Experiences Current educational offerings (curricular & extracurricular) Offerings in progress/development Additional recommendations –Integration of PCC implementation with educational efforts –Publication of Commitment and progress to campus community

Research Current research efforts Planned actions to expand these efforts

Community Outreach & Other Current community outreach efforts Other relevant activities – e.g. Green Campus Fund Recommended actions –Include discussion of how surrounding community will be made aware of UConn’s participation and progress

UConn Academic Plan Aspirations and Values: “…in our role as a land and sea grant institution, we seek to promote the state’s economic development and social well- being by advancing new science, improving the cultural fabric, protecting the environment, and enhancing the quality of healthcare.” Themes: “Our World emphasizes the need to build on our strengths in human rights, education, and environmental research…” Focused Areas of Excellence: “…emerging areas of interdisciplinary excellence grounded in traditional academic disciplines will be an important factor guiding the development of our existing research, teaching, and programs of public engagement. These areas of excellence encompass: The Environment, including the environment and human health, the environment and sustainable ecosystems, the environment and sustainable energy…”

UConn Academic Plan – Focus Areas Undergraduate Education Graduate and Professional Education Research Scholarship, and Creative Activity Diversity Public Engagement

Example: UC Berkeley (Handout) Sustainability Assessment: Academics & Culture Sustainability-Related Courses Sustainability-Related Organizations Town & Gown Relations How are we doing? Recent accomplishments. Opportunities – short vs. long term

Meeting Agenda I.Welcome & Introductions II.Review of the ACUPCC & UConn’s Commitment a.Links to the Academic Plan b.Example: UC Berkeley III. Next Step: Survey of Current/Planned Programs

Summary Step 1 – Feb-March How are we doing? Recent accomplishments? Survey and summarize existing programs Identify initiatives in progress/actions already proposed Step 2 – April Opportunities – Short & Long-Term Identify ‘gaps’ Finalize summary and recommend actions

Climate Action Plan Team of the Environmental Literacy Workgroup ( CAP-EL Team) February 02, 2009 Meeting