Submitted on September 15, 2009; last updated on November 6, 2009
No information provided
As the new climate science indicates a growing urgency to decrease greenhouse gas emission trajectories in this decade, it is recommended by both the Sustainability Coordinator and sub-committees of the new Strategic Planning process that Allegheny College set the ambitious yet realistic goal of achieving climate neutrality by the year 2020. The year 2015 is not only the halfway point between the establishment and the achievement of our climate neutrality goals, but is also the 200th anniversary of the founding of Allegheny College. As such, 2015 will be a momentous year in our institutions history, a moment to envision our most positive future, and take stock of our progress in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Allegheny College will first and foremost cultivate a culture of sustainability within the campus community by encouraging responsible and efficient resource use, waste minimization and environmentally sensitive practices. Behavioral changes and technological retrofits will determine the majority of our greenhouse gas emission reductions, with renewable energy credits and carbon offsets reserved as a way to neutralize the remainder of our much reduced emissions before 2020. By 2015, we hope to have reduced our electricity usage by at least 40% and our natural gas usage by a minimum of 30% through behavioral changes and efficiency retrofits. By 2015, we will also minimize our landfilled waste by 50%. There is still a need to refine the data on commuting habits and travel financed by the College in order to set appropriate goals. The Sustainability Coordinator will implement new data collection systems and perform surveys to gather this data by 2011 and then set goals for the first interim target in the year 2015 accordingly. It is recommended that a committee to be convened in support of the continued development and implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
Allegheny College has a rich history of integrating sustainability initiatives into the curriculum as well as the community as part of our emphasis on developing values, ethics, and the whole person as a life-long learner and citizen. In fact, many of our past success stories have their roots in class and independent student research, as well as extra-curricular student activism and community outreach. Work is underway to develop Alleghenys most recent Strategic Plan, which is expected to explore and recommend ways to more smoothly and effectively integrate personal, social, and environmental responsibility into the curricular and co-curricular programs, as well as the culture of Allegheny College. It is recommended that the Educational, Research & Community Outreach Efforts component of the Climate Action Plan be revisited upon the release of the Strategic Plan. While sustainability was specifically considered in sub-committee meetings and the subsequent recommendations to the Strategic Plan authors, it would be wise to forestall developing specific strategies for the Climate Action Plan until the context of the Strategic Plan is understood.
Work is underway to develop Alleghenys most recent Strategic Plan, which is expected to explore and recommend ways to more smoothly and effectively integrate personal, social, and environmental responsibility into the curricular and co-curricular programs, as well as the culture of Allegheny College. It is recommended that the Educational, Research & Community Outreach Efforts component of the Climate Action Plan be revisited upon the release of the Strategic Plan. While sustainability was specifically considered in sub-committee meetings and the subsequent recommendations to the Strategic Plan authors, it would be wise to forestall developing specific strategies for the Climate Action Plan until the context of the Strategic Plan is understood.
