Climate Commitment leads to two new University policies
By: Matt Welch
Issue date: 12/9/08 Section: News
Executive Vice President Neal Abraham announced Monday that the University has met the first benchmark in its implementation of the Presidents Climate Commitment: naming two new sustainable DePauw policies.
The Climate Commitment dictates that member colleges implement two of seven specified actions while creating their long-term sustainability plans. To meet this requirement, DePauw has committed to construct all new buildings to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating's silver ranking, and to buy appliances with Energy Star approval for any product with such a designation.
The LEED rating system is recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as the standard for sustainable construction. The silver rating is its third highest of four designations. The Energy Star program designates products that meet the environmental standards of the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.
Carol Steele, DePauw's sustainability coordinator, said University officials decided on these two standards because "they were areas where we had some significant history already," naming the LEED certification of the Ethics Institute as an example.
"There's been activity in one way or another on all of the seven that we could've chosen from, but these were the ones that we had done the most on," Steele said.
Just before Thanksgiving, DePauw also completed its plan for implementing the Climate Commitment. That plan calls for the creation of 11 work groups that will tackle various aspects of the sustainability initiative. Steele said forming those work groups is "the next big effort" in the Climate Commitment.
Steele said each work group will hopefully consist of about 20 members, including faculty, students, staff and community members. Those interested in joining a work group can volunteer online at www.depauw.edu/univ/sustain by clicking "Get Involved" under the "Sustainability Initiative" heading.
The Climate Commitment dictates that member colleges implement two of seven specified actions while creating their long-term sustainability plans. To meet this requirement, DePauw has committed to construct all new buildings to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating's silver ranking, and to buy appliances with Energy Star approval for any product with such a designation.
The LEED rating system is recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as the standard for sustainable construction. The silver rating is its third highest of four designations. The Energy Star program designates products that meet the environmental standards of the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.
Carol Steele, DePauw's sustainability coordinator, said University officials decided on these two standards because "they were areas where we had some significant history already," naming the LEED certification of the Ethics Institute as an example.
"There's been activity in one way or another on all of the seven that we could've chosen from, but these were the ones that we had done the most on," Steele said.
Just before Thanksgiving, DePauw also completed its plan for implementing the Climate Commitment. That plan calls for the creation of 11 work groups that will tackle various aspects of the sustainability initiative. Steele said forming those work groups is "the next big effort" in the Climate Commitment.
Steele said each work group will hopefully consist of about 20 members, including faculty, students, staff and community members. Those interested in joining a work group can volunteer online at www.depauw.edu/univ/sustain by clicking "Get Involved" under the "Sustainability Initiative" heading.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
University of Phoenix
posted 1/15/09 @ 12:19 PM EST
It's really refreshing to read about this, I just hope in the near future I'll hear about more such plans, education has a very important role for successful green approaches. (Continued…)
Appliance parts
posted 3/30/09 @ 9:37 PM EST
That's a brilliant educative and necessary initiative. There are so many things we have to consider in preserving the environment and it's always refreshing to see that we are beginning to understand to urge of these energy saving measures. (Continued…)
Video sistemos
posted 8/18/09 @ 12:00 PM EST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
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