Claremont, Calif. (November 19, 2015) – Pitzer College joins 217 universities and colleges in signing the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge, which states:
“As institutions of higher education, we applaud the progress already made to promote clean energy and climate action as we seek a comprehensive, ambitious agreement at the upcoming United Nations Climate Negotiations in Paris. We recognize the urgent need to act now to avoid irreversible costs to our global community’s economic prosperity and public health and are optimistic that world leaders will reach an agreement to secure a transition to a low carbon future. Today our school pledges to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy while enhancing sustainable and resilient practices across our campus.”
In addition, Pitzer pledges to:
- Improve Pitzer’s sustainability performance in academics, engagement, operations, and planning & administration and achieve a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Gold rating.
- Adopt an institutional definition of sustainability that nurtures environmental and social sustainability throughout the College by embedding sustainability in Pitzer’s policies, practices and decision-making
Pitzer was a charter signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (now known as the Carbon Commitment) in 2007. In April 2014, Pitzer announced its Fossil Fuel Divestment-Climate Action Model and became the first college in Southern California to divest its endowment of fossil fuel stock that same year. The College also set its goal to reduce its emissions by 25 percent (relative to 2014 levels) by the end of 2016.
One of the first colleges in the country to launch an environmental studies program, Pitzer has promoted environmental awareness for nearly 50 years. In 2012, the College launched the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability and opened four mixed-use residential buildings that earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest rating. Forty-eight percent of buildings on Pitzer’s campus are now LEED Platinum or Gold certified. Drought-tolerant landscaping has helped Pitzer cut its water use in half since 2002. The College researches, teaches and lives its commitment to sustainability.
