The Campus Sustainability Committee is overseeing the development of the University’s Climate Action Plan, a comprehensive and detailed effort to achieve climate neutrality.

Six task forces are being formed to develop the mitigation strategies and goals that will enable the University to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, said David Jones, the University’s sustainability coordinator and member of the Campus Sustainability Committee.

Because the Climate Action Plan will affect the entire campus, Jones noted the sustainability committee is seeking students, faculty and staff to volunteer to be a member of one of the task forces.

“For the Climate Action Plan to be a success, it is important for the University community to be involved,” said Jones. “There are many subject matter experts on campus, such as our heating and air conditioning mechanics in facilities management, as well as faculty and students undertaking research in subjects such as green architecture and energy efficiency. Having this expertise will only add to the quality of the plan.”

According to Jones, the task forces will operate for about six months starting in April. He said any mitigation strategies that evolve from their efforts may require new practices or procedures on campus. “Support from the campus community will be crucial to any potential implementation of new practices,” said Jones.

The task forces will work in the following areas: curriculum and research; greenhouse gas inventory; energy; transportation; solid waste, purchasing and food; and communications.

“The Climate Action Plan’s development and implementation should be a vehicle that brings together the energies of the many sustainability champions on campus,” Jones observed. “By completing this major initiative, UNC Charlotte will be seen as a leader in the process, not only within Charlotte but across North Carolina.”

The Climate Action Plan is one of the deliverables required as part of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. In 2009, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois signed the commitment, which designated UNC Charlotte as one of more than 650 institutions of higher education across the nation that have declared they would address global warming by neutralizing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating research and educational efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate.

To volunteer to be a member of one of the Climate Action Plan task forces, e-mail Jones at dajones1@uncc.edu.