Greenhouse Gas Steering Committee
USU became a signatory to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in 2007, setting the goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Following the 2018 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 25 USU faculty drafted a resolution to accelerate the university’s efforts to become carbon neutral, which the faculty senate passed on February 4, 2019. The USU Student Association also passed a resolution calling for the declaration on a climate crisis on February 12, 2019. President Cockett formed a steering committee and three sub-committees to provide formal recommendations and cost estimates. This group collaborated with USU Facilities to develop USU's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan, which was presented to the faculty senate and adopted by President Cockett in March of 2020.
Between 2007 and 2021, USU's emissions have decreased almost 28%. However, it is early to celebrate. Some reductions have been affected by the COVID pandemic, and net zero is still an ambitious target. USU continues to improve efficiency, explore renewable energy options, and increase the accessibility of low carbon transportation options. The campus community is invited to join the trek to net zero.
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- January 24, 2022: Silver Linings & Green Energy
- March 21, 2021: Solar Tops USU's Gateway
- March 1, 2021: USU Drives Down Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2020
- July 27, 2020: LED-ing the Way
- March 9, 2020: President Cockett Commits to Reducing USU's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- January 30, 2020: USU professors speak on urgency to address climate change | Utah Statesman
- December 9, 2019: USU Seeks Feedback on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Draft Plan
- October 24, 2019: USU hosted a Climate Change Townhall for the community to express thoughts.
- June 04, 2019: Dynamic Lab Ventilation Pilot Funded at Utah State
- February 13, 2019: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Committee Looks to Reduce USU Carbon Footprint
- Chris Luecke, co-chair Dean QCNR
- Alexi Lamm, co-chair, past Sustainability Program Manager
- Patrick Belmont, President Faculty Senate
- Charles Darnell, Associate VP of Facilities
- Jordy Guth, Assistant Director of Planning
- President USUSA
This group addressed greenhouse gases produced by university-related travel, especially air travel. Additionally, the group developed a mechanism to account for the cost of the university's greenhouse gas emissions.
- Alexi Lamm, Chair
- Michelle Bair, Travel Manager
- Jennifer Givens, Assistant Professor of Sociology
- Steve Jenson, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services
- Man-Keun Kim, Associate Professor of Applied Economics
This group developed strategies to educate the university community on the scope and urgency of climate change and to enable students with perspective and skillsets needed to address the issue. The group provided recommendations on ways faculty and staff can reduce emissions in their classes, research program, service, extension, and outreach activities.
- Chris Lueke, Chair
- Rob Davies, Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Physics
- Carlos Licon, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture
- Brhianna Malcolm, Community Engaged Learning Coordinator
- Jennifer Reeve, Associate Professor of Plant, Soils & Climate
This group evaluated USU's energy portfolio, looking for opportunities to increase efficiency measures and renewable energy sources. The committee assessed and pursued goals set forth by the faculty senate to 1) convert all USU campuses to LED by 2021, 2) eliminate coal from the energy portfolio by 2022, and 3) increase the percentage of electricity from renewable sources to at least 50% by 2024.
- Patrick Belmont, Chair
- Zac Cook, Energy Manager
- Charles Darnell, Associate VP of Facilities
- Mark Holt, Electrical Engineer
- Sarah Klain, Assistant Professor of Environment & Society