UND releases ambitious Climate Action Plan for public comment

The University of North Dakota, on target for significant long-term reductions in its carbon footprint, has released the UND Climate Action Plan (CAP) for public review and comment.

The UND CAP is available for review and comment online at www2.und.edu/our/sustainability/html/climateactionplan.html in pdf and digital edition formats. Your feedback can be entered in a digital form that is provided with the document.

The CAP and comment form will be available through May 9 after which a finalized version of the document will be submitted to the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

“UND has done much to diminish its carbon footprint and to become environmentally friendly. In addition to signing the ACUPCC, UND already has several strategies in place to make a difference,” said UND President Robert O. Kelley. “But we’re going to do more. UND’s Climate Action Plan proposes several specific strategies for us to become even greener.”

The document was produced by the UND Council on Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability. The Council is co-chaired by Martha Potvin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Larry Zitzow, director of the Facilities Management Department.

“This plan is another component of the Presidential Climate Commitment,” Zitzow said. “The Climate Action Plan is a living document to provide strategic planning towards UND’s commitment towards sustainability. The public’s review and ideas will help to guide the Council for Sustainability in this venture.”

According to Potvin, the Climate Action Plan establishes a forward-looking direction for the University.

“It pulls together the entire campus to be responsible stewards of the environment that we impact on a daily basis,” Potvin said. “It provides opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to participate, and it establishes UND as a leader and resource for other communities.”

The UND Climate Action Plan is part of the University’s long-term commitment to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, develop more sustainable sources of energy, and encourage the UND community to research and deploy green improvements affecting all areas of campus life.

The CAP is a “living document” which will continually reflect changes as UND advances in its goal of carbon neutrality. The document will reflect ideas that come in as a result of the public review and comment process; it will showcase new developments at UND in the areas of sustainable and alternative energy technologies; and it will track return on investment for dollars and effort spent on the greening of the campus.