Sustainability @ SU
Holloway Hall

Presidents' Climate Commitment

In September of 2007, Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach joined leaders from more than 400 colleges and universities across the nation in the fight against global warming. By signing the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, Dudley-Eshbach pledged to move Salisbury University toward climate neutrality, with no net greenhouse gas emissions. In that journey, SU will reduce its emissions and accelerate awareness efforts needed to help the local community, and the broader society, re-stabilize the earth's climate.

The Presidents' Climate Commitment is the first effort of its kind to target climate neutrality, not just a reduction. It was inspired by efforts such as the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, and is supported by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Second Nature and ecoAmerica.

To date, more than 670 presidents have signed the Commitment and all University System of Maryland (USM) institutions are participating. To learn more about the Presidents' Climate Commitment, visit www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.

More information

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

One of the first initiatives following signing the Presidents' Climate Commitment was to evaluate campus emissions and to develop a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011. This inventory is also called a "Carbon Footprint".

In addition, a multi-stakeholder committee was tasked to develop a Climate Action Plan to guide the campus toward carbon neutral by 2050. Strategies identified within the plan include:

  • Power and Operations (purchased electricity, heating/air conditioning/ventilation (HVAC), refrigeration, buildings)
  • Transportation (Shuttle, alternative transportation, commuting, campus fleet, air travel)
  • Solid Waste, Recycling, and Composting
  • Administrative Policies (procurement, new construction, behavior change strategies
  • Education and Research (curriculum, other formal education, campus community experience, and research in support of campus climate action and sustainability)
  • Financing Strategies

Climate Action Plan Update