Climate Action Plan

The current Climate Crisis is a global emergency and it is important to respond as such. Located in Arizona, we face increased climate vulnerabilities such as water scarcity, extreme heat waves, wildfires, and public health issues. As an institutional leader, NAU is responding to this global issue with a focus on adaptability, innovation, and stewardship.

We are in the initial stages of our climate action planning process and we want to make sure we are reflecting the needs of our campus. We are focusing on community engagement in the Fall 2019 to ensure that we create a plan that reflects our current needs from our greater campus community. So please do get involved! You are helping to shape the future of NAU’s sustainability legacy!

 

Take the Survey!

If you haven’t yet already, please take the Climate Action Plan Survey

 

What is a Climate Action Plan (CAP)?

A Climate Action Plan serves as a strategic document that helps guide a community towards a common stewardship goal. A majority of university Climate Action Plans focus on lessening consumption, carbon footprint, and creating a more sustainable institution. NAU is a leader in higher education for sustainability and a founding signee of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and the Second Nature Carbon Pledge in 2007.

 

Why do we need a CAP?

Similar to a campus Master Plan, a Climate Action Plan can inform discretionary decision-making regarding the strategic direction of the university. As sustainability-related and environmental science degree programs continue to grow in relevance and demand across the nation, and at NAU in particular, it is a strategic development to institute a Climate Action Plan to reach university and community goals (i.e. carbon neutrality, stewardship, student job skills, etc.) It is essential for the campus community to have a guiding road-map for a sustainable future to help further the Living Laboratory ideal, which is a concept to define how research, campus needs and student learning can come together to foster an active learning community.

It is a campus wide effort that extends into the greater Flagstaff and Northern Arizona community. Join us!

Figure 1: NAU Carbon Emissions by type 2010-2017

Graph of NAU Carbon Emissions by type 2010-2017

Progress Updates:

Green Fund provides funding for CAP

Posted by Admin on

With all the challenges that COVID-19 has brought, the student-led Green Fund stepped up to the ask of the university and voted to fund the Climate Action Planning effort on April 24, 2020. It is with urgency, innovation and leadership that they took this step. Planning will begin this summer!

Campus Feedback

Posted by Admin on

Thank you all for the many comments, ideas, and participation this past year around the Climate Action Plan! We have compiled what we have heard and posted it below as CAP Campus Feedback. Check it out!

Adaptation Nov 21st

Posted by Admin on

Please join the ENV 675 grad students, the City Sustainability, and NAU community to plan our climate adaptation strategies. Mark your calendars for the next CAP event, Nov 21 from 4-6pm in Ashurst Hall!

Work Session #4

Posted by Admin on

With the completion of our 4th Work Session last week, we are now working to compile everything we have heard from the campus community to direct the focus of our plan. There will be many more opportunities to provide feedback or input for the Climate Action Plan - So stay tuned!

Work Session #3

Posted by Admin on

Our next work session is tomorrow Oct 9th 5-7pm, at Mother Road Brewery Downtown. These work sessions are designed to capture high level feedback and help provide direction from our community. They are similar events. So if you've missed previous events, no problem. Come by and join us!

 

We need your feedback throughout the planning process!

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Additional Resources:

2010 Climate Action Plan Accordion Closed

2010: Carbon Neutrality; Climate Action Plan

  • NAU’s first Climate Action Plan
  • Goal: “Carbon Neutrality by 2020”
  • Short-term campus changes; creation of campus action teams (i.e. Waste Minimization, etc.)
  • Completed externally by NORESCO with Phase 1 efficiencies implemented
  • Maintained energy and water consumption levels alongside an increase of campus growth
  • Created foundation for Office of Sustainability (Environmental Caucus, Green Fund, etc)

2015 Sustainable Action Plan Accordion Closed

2015: Sustainability Action Plan

  • Goal: Revise and Update the 2010 Plan
  • Completed internally by NAU committees and service groups
  • Focused on Actionable Items in 7 specific areas:
  1. Water
  2. Recycling and Waste Minimization
  3. Transportation
  4. Operations
  5. Procurement
  6. Energy and Climate
  7. Academics and Research

 

CAP Campus Feedback – 2019 Accordion Closed

From our Kickoff meeting with the Environmental Caucus in April 2019, we have been gathering and compiling feedback from the campus community. Review what we heard below!

Climate Action Campus Feedback -2019 (PDF)

CAP Survey Results – Oct. 2019 Accordion Closed

We sent out our survey to a random sample of 2,000 NAU community members – 1,800 Student, 100 Staff, and 100 Faculty. We received N=240 responses and have linked to the results below.

CAP Survey Results (PDF)

CAP Survey Results (Powerpoint)

City / NAU Collective Actions Accordion Closed

In the Spring of 2019, City of Flagstaff Sustainability outlined potential areas that NAU could play a role in the City’s Climate Action and Adaption goals.

Implementation Ideas for NAU

Other Reports Accordion Closed