In March, the IUPUI Staff Council passed a Carbon Neutrality Resolution that calls for Indiana University to become carbon neutral by no later than 2040. To achieve this monumental feat, the resolution urges the university to:
- Develop a system-wide sustainability action plan by 2025.
- Include and prioritize sustainability and the sustainability action plan in all strategic planning.
- Actively support the work of all sustainability initiatives (SustainIU, Offices of Sustainability, committees, and academic programs) at campuses and wider communities.
- Anticipate the post-carbon, sustainable economic era and preserve fiscal responsibility while pursuing the goal of carbon neutrality.
- Bring together faculty, staff and students to develop, implement and model best-practices for the use of renewable resources, to benefit those in the next 50 years and beyond.
After the passage of the resolution, the Staff Council Sustainability Committee was determined to encourage other Staff Councils at IU campuses to pass this resolution. Staff have an important role to play in the achievement of carbon neutrality at our campuses. Staff hold almost all of the positions that will be key in addressing carbon producing activities, including in building operations, transportation, grounds, and dining. Therefore, we felt it was important for staff to send a strong message to Indiana University about the importance of carbon neutrality.
Through our outreach, Carbon Neutrality resolutions have now been passed at IU Fort Wayne, IU East, and will soon be introduced at IU South Bend for a vote! But our work is not done. As staff are preparing to return to campus for the Fall semester, we will continue to reach out to the other IU Staff Councils to add to the number of campuses who stand behind our resolution.
Please join us in celebrating our accomplishments while continuing to forge ahead with carbon neutrality!
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The Green Staffer is a seasonal column presented by the IUPUI Staff Council Sustainability Committee, where IUPUI staff share tips and ideas to help make your world (home and work) a “greener” place.
This is great! Thanks for initiating this.