U of A Joins Campus Climate Pact that is Part of Paris Climate Agreement

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is among the leading U.S. universities and colleges that have committed to the American Campuses Act on Climate as part of the Paris Climate Conference agreement approved this weekend.

U of A interim Chancellor Dan Ferritor and Chancellor-designate Joseph Steinmetz joined 318 other U.S. higher education institutions in renewing their pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The U of A is among the first 100 U.S. universities that committed to be carbon neutral by 2040. These institutions represent more than 4 million students.

The U of A was among the first group of institutions to sign the original American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007, and developed its own long-range Climate Action Plan. The U of A is on schedule to meet its intermediate climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels next year, four years ahead of schedule. The reduction comes in spite of increasing enrollment by more than 10,000 students and adding new buildings over the past 15 years.

U of A leaders signed the following pledge:

“The University of Arkansas through our ongoing commitment to reducing climate impact has made dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the past eight years, even while increasing the number of students, staff, faculty and buildings on our campus. We are continuing our journey to identify and implement scientifically sound, cost-effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We recognize that everything is connected so we are addressing social and community sustainability issues in concert with greenhouse gas reduction strategies. As a leader in sustainable technology innovation, we pledge to:

• Provide a model for other institutions and businesses to follow through demonstrated positive financial value for the university;
• Engage in robust social discourse with our campus, city, and state community to expand understanding of our common values and opportunities to reduce climate impacts;
• Continue to explore the science and technologies that will protect and restore the resilience of Earth’s biosphere."

Find out more information about the American Campuses Act on Climate.