Niagara University's sustainability committee is charged with enhancing the ability of current generations to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment - Signed Nov. 15, 2012

For more information, visit  http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/.

What does it mean for NU?

• Creating a committee to oversee the implementation of the PCC.
• Completing a greenhouse gas inventory of the university.
• Creating a climate action plan within two years to reduce waste and eventually aim for carbon neutrality.
• Creating a timeline for implementing the components of the climate action plan.
• Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum.
• Providing public access to all reports, progress and achievements of the PCC.

Environmental Goals

• Identify areas where the university can benefit from more environmentally responsible practices.
• Facilitate positive actions to improve the physical environment of the university.
• Educate and explore opportunities to improve or start new educational programs that highlight "green issues" on our campus.
• Lead or initiate programs to improve our physical surroundings and build awareness to the issues that confront our world.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Goals

• Reduce: Minimize our waste stream by increasing our knowledge   of other environmentally-friendly processes and actions.
• Reuse : Start or enhance programs that will increase the life of previously purchased materials.
• Recycle: Promote the increased use, and ease of programs that restore materials to an almost new condition.

Energy Goals

• Change the way the university faculty, staff and administration think about energy usage.
• Find ways to conserve electricity and avoid using fossil fuel-generated electricity.
• Consider alternatives to fossil fuels for vehicles and building systems.
• Recommend that we purchase items that are energy efficient.
• Communicate what Niagara is doing to protect the environment to the university community.