Presidential Order on Climate Commitment
| Subject: | Climate Commitment |
|---|---|
| Number: | 7.7 |
| Date Issued: | June 19, 2008 |
| Effective Date: | June 19, 2008 |
| Initiating Entity: | President J. Michael Ortiz, Ph.D |
| Affected Entities: | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona |
| Responsible Entity: | President's Climate Commitment Task Force |
Background
In 2007, Cal Poly Pomona became a charter signatory of the Presidents Climate Commitment. The Commitment is an effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
Building on the growing momentum for leadership and action on climate change, the Presidents Climate Commitment provides a framework for campuses to go climate neutral. The Commitment recognizes the unique responsibility that institutions of higher education have as role models for their communities and in training the people who will develop the social, economic and technological solutions to reverse global warming.
By signing the Commitment, Cal Poly Pomona has pledged to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions over time. This involves:
- Forming a climate task force charged with fulfilling the Commitment
- Completing an emissions inventory
- Within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
- Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions
- Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience
- Making the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available
Tangible Actions
The campus must initiate two or more “tangible actions” to reduce greenhouse gases while developing an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral. The campus currently meets the tangible action for purchasing at least 15% of its electricity consumption from renewable sources.
Based on a resolution from the President’s Climate Commitment Task Force, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona will immediately adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist or highest energy efficient equipment available.
In addition, California State Polytechnic University will participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, including adoption of three or more associated measures to reduce waste.