Climate Commitment

Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) President Ron Thomas signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment in June 2007. Dr.
Thomas joined together with more than 295 other college/university presidents throughout the United States to commit to sharply reducing and eventually
eliminating college global warming emissions and to also accelerating research and educational efforts to equip society to restabilize the earth's climate.

President Thomas stated, "It is imperative that we address the issue of global warming and take action now. As a human race, we have been responsible for
creating the problem, and now we need to work together to find a solution. DCTC is committed to taking action through this initiative."

American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate.

Under the guidance and direction of the Leadership Circle of presidents, the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is being supported and implemented by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Second Nature, and ecoAmerica.

This is the first such effort by any major sector of society to set climate neutrality – not just a reduction – as its target. This undertaking by America's colleges and universities is inspired by efforts like the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, and other collective efforts by states and businesses.

In accordance with the commitment, DCTC commits to taking the following steps in pursuit of climate neutrality:

  1. Establish a committee/task force within two months to guide the process.
  2. Complete an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions within one year, starting July 2007.
  3. Create and implement a climate neutral plan that includes a target date and interim milestones for achieving campus climate neutrality within two years.
  4. Initiate two of six immediate steps specified in the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while the more comprehensive plan is being developed.
  5. Integrate sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience.
  6. Develop the action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports and make them available to the public.