Trinity makes progress on campus sustainability pledge

Trinity’s Campus Sustainability Task Force has issued its first update, noting that the College is on course to comply with the goals of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment pact, which President Jones signed last year.

Several hundred presidents of institutions of higher learning signed the document, which states that these leaders are deeply concerned about the scale and speed of global warming, and that they recognize the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 80 percent by mid-century at the latest. The commitment requires each school to take measurable steps in pursuit of climate neutrality according to a specific timeline.

All of the signatories pledged to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases on their respective campuses and to help establish more stable climatic conditions through multi-part plans. The first of those is the mandatory creation of “an institutional structure to guide the development and implementation of the plan.” To that end, President Jones formed Trinity’s task force.

The group is led by Joan Morrison, Charles A. Dana Research Associate Professor of Biology. Its members include three other faculty members, five staff members, three students, and two ex officio members—Paula Russo, vice president of planning and administration, and Budget Director Marcia Johnson.

Under the terms of the commitment, while the schools’ comprehensive plans are being developed (which must happen within two years), they are required to initiate at least two of seven “tangible actions” to reduce greenhouse gases. Trinity has made progress on three.

The first is the establishment of a policy that all new campus construction will be built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard. This third-party certification program is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

The second action is Trinity’s agreement to adopt an energy-efficient appliance-purchasing policy that requires the acquisition of Energy Star-certified products in all areas where such ratings exist.

The third action calls for the encouragement and use of public transportation for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. According to the report issued by the Trinity task force, free bus passes are available to students, and the College is planning to encourage more carpooling among students, staff, and faculty by implementing a Web-based rideshare program.

Four additional tangible actions include the establishment of a policy to offset all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by the College, the purchase or production of at least 15 percent of the College’s electricity from renewable sources, the creation of a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where the College’s endowment is invested, and participation in the waste-minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition.

Also, within one year of signing the document, Trinity must complete an inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions, including those from electricity, heating, commuting, and air travel, and update the inventory every other year thereafter.