Climate Action Plan - ACUPCC Reports - Climate Commitment

Leadership and ModelingBoard of Regents Policy Guiding Principle 1:Through excellence in environmental education, research, outreach, and stewardship,the University shall strive to be a world leader by promoting and demonstratingsustainability and energy efficiency and by producing leaders and informed citizens.Board of Regents Policy Guiding Principle 2:The University shall strive to be a model in the application of sustainability principlesto guide campus operations by: (a) meeting and aspiring to exceed all applicableregulatory requirements; (b) preventing pollution at its source; (c) reducing emissionto the environment; and (d) encouraging the use of a life-cycle cost framework.As a major land-grant university with socially responsible facilities management andworld-class environment and natural resources education, research, and outreach programs,the University of Minnesota has the opportunity to be a leader and role modelin the transition to a more sustainable society. Through example and through the networkof relationships formed by our students, faculty, and staff, choices we make canset the pace for local, national, and global communities. For this to happen, however,we must first, in Gandhi’s words, “be the change we wish to see”—a living laboratoryand model in which sustainability is woven through all we are and all we do.Our vision in the areas of leadership and modeling is that the University will lead theway in making sustainability an organizing principle for all human activity. Experienceshere will make sustainability real and relevant to students, staff, and faculty.Our education, research, outreach, and operations will be recognized for innovationand for encouraging entrepreneurial endeavors in sustainability. Our campus communitywill understand how we measure sustainability, how the University is performing,the complex challenges we face, and the actions we take together to address them.Long-term life-cycle concepts will be integral to operational decisions. Students, staff,and faculty will be leaders and informed citizens who understand the impact of theirchoices and replicate sustainable practices learned at the University in our communitiesand families.The following goals and objectives provide a framework for moving toward this visionof sustainability leadership and modeling, and for assessing our progress as we do.26 • U of M Systemwide Sustainability