1. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) Climate Leadership in Higher Education

2. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. The Challenge Over-reliance on fossil fuels: catastrophic climate disruption and national security threat Threat to human progress Halt growth of global warming pollution & cut GHG emissions by 80% Transformation of economy, institutions & daily lives Vision & leadership of higher education

3. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Reversing global warming is a defining challenge of the 21st century!

4. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. The ACUPCC Initiative A network led by presidents & chancellors High-visibility, national initiative Joint action to leverage change representing over 650 institutions and one-third of the total student population Action plan for climate neutrality Research & education Develop societal capacity

5. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Critical Role of Higher Education Educational, research & public service missions Shaping tomorrow’s leaders Faculty, staff & student involvement Innovate and role-model solutions Research, action & demonstration projects Catalyze investment & develop new markets

6. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Critical Role of Higher Education Create living labs for students Support green industries & demand for renewable energy Job creation Innovative financing models Local communities engagement

7. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Benefits & Opportunities Invite stakeholders into meaningful purpose Mission fulfillment Attract top students, faculty, and staff Operate more efficiently – cost savings Lead technology race Public-private partnerships Stay ahead of regulatory curve

8. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Resources & Support The ACUPCC network is a learning community Publications and guidance documents to share best practices and create solutions on: –Climate action planning –Educational components of climate action –Green building; energy efficiency and performance contracting; renewable energy; carbon offsets; etc. –Leading transformational change initiatives Public database of GHG inventories and climate action plans www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/resources

9. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. The Commitment Create institutional structures & initiate two of seven suggested actions Complete inventory of emissions Develop institutional climate action plan First 2 Months Within 1 Year Within 2 Years Submit periodic progress reports Ongoing

10. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Climate Leadership in Action For a collection of exciting success stories, told by signatory presidents, see the ACUPCC Annual Reports: www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/reporting/annual-report

11. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Testimonials “Global warming is a defining issue of the 21st century, and higher education must be a leader in addressing global climate change through research, education, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” Amy Gutmann President, University of Pennsylvania ACUPCC Leadership Circle Member

12. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Testimonials “More than ever, universities must take leadership roles to address the grand challenges of the twenty-first century, and climate change is paramount among these.” Michael M. Crow President, Arizona State University ACUPCC Leadership Circle Member

13. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Testimonials “We are in the middle of one of those rare moments when the right thing to do it also the economically smart thing to do.” Kathleen Schatzberg President, Cape Cod Community College ACUPCC Leadership Circle Member

14. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Governance The ACUPCC is a network governed by a Steering Committee of presidents and chancellors, who make the policy decisions and set the direction of the initiative. Three “supporting organizations” – Second Nature, AASHE, and ecoAmerica – provide administrative and technical support for the Steering Committee and the ACUPCC network.

15. www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org (c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved. Contact Information Anthony D. Cortese President Second Nature 617.772.0036 acortese@secondnature.org Toni Nelson ACUPCC Program Director Second Nature 859.940.2545 tnelson@secondnature.org www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org