Montclair State U to Purchase RECs Covering 100% of Electricity
The university recently announced a contract extending through 2025 in which it will purchase Green-e certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from wind, solar and hydro projects across the U.S. to match 100 percent of its forecasted electricity consumption.
Carleton College Eliminates Direct Fossil Fuel Holdings
The college's board of trustees voted recently to reduce exposure to fossil fuel investments in the college’s endowment by immediately eliminating all direct holdings of fossil fuel companies, and resolving to make no new investments in private funds that focus exclusively on oil and gas extraction.
Bucknell U Releases 10-Year Sustainability Plan
The recently released 10-year plan, which is in accordance with the university's strategic plan, calls for efforts to address issues such as energy use and sourcing, biodiversity and natural habitat, and waste minimization and recycling, while publicly reaffirming and continuing the stated goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. There are four strategic priorities–ensure environmental sustainability, enable social sustainability, engage technological sustainability and enhance governance and assets management processes for sustainability.
U Sherbrooke Achieves STARS Platinum
The university's latest STARS report highlights its Sustainable Development Action Plan 2018-2022, carbon neutrality, which was achieved in 2022, and a COVID-19 pandemic-related research project involving the recovery of personal protective equipment, specifically procedure masks.
Concordia U Releases Event Guide With Social Sustainability
In addition to environmental considerations, the newly released sustainable event guide includes inclusion and accessibility goals, such as having diverse representation among organizers of large events and choosing locations that are accessible for those with mobility, visual or cognitive needs. The guide also reinforces the use of territorial acknowledgments, a practice that aims to include and recognize Indigenous people and perspectives, and fosters awareness and respect from non-Indigenous participants.
Colorado State U Renews STARS Platinum
The newly rated report's points of distinction include details about its sustainability integration in curriculum, local and global food security services and research, and a ground-source heating and cooling system for a 375,000 square feet athletic facility.
Utrecht U Adopts Transport By Train Policy
(Netherlands) The university's executive board in mid-December announced that starting Jan. 1, 2023, journeys of less than 700 kilometers (435 miles), or that take less than eight hours, will have to be made by train rather than plane. Permission to travel by plane can can be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Emory U Introduces Grants Addressing Racial and Social Justice
The new funding opportunity aims to promote racial justice and equity by supporting Emory faculty research projects that will contribute to the eradication of inequities in society. Standard grants are $150,000 spread over three years; a small number of special projects will be considered for up to $300,000 total over three years.
U California to Award $80M in Climate Change Research Grants
As part of a partnership between the university and the state of California, the university will be awarding $80 million in research grants, with the goal of creating real-world solutions and targeted policies in partnership with California communities to tackle the existential threat of climate change.
HKUST Adopts ESG Investment Policy
(Hong Kong) The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) pledged to eliminate investments in fossil fuels through a newly adopted environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) investment strategy, consistent with the scientific consensus on climate change and the goals of the Paris Agreement. By 2030, 100 percent of in-scope assets will be invested in companies that have adopted science-based targets.
