Drew University
PAE-20: Inter-Campus Collaboration on Sustainability

Drew presented at the latest New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS) conference about the Presidents Climate Commitment. Last year, Drew hosted a Sustainability Conference through the Association of Independent Colleges of NJ (AICUNJ). Drew is also hosting an environmental health seminar at Drew through AICUNJ.

New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS) Association of Independent Colleges of NJ (AICUNJ)

Drew has a socially responsible student investment group that meets in the city with other groups from schools within the region to talk about current investments and discover new investment opportunities and ways to encourage schools to invest in sustainable causes to promote sustainability. Drew's Students for Sustainable Food has also been participating in the Real Food Challenge national network.

The Presidents’ Climate Commitment    Drew University is deeply concerned about the unprecedented scale and speed of climate change and its  potential  for  large‐scale,  adverse  health,  social,  economic  and  ecological  effects.  Through  its  long‐term  commitment to sustainability, Drew University is helping to transform the current climate crisis from a  challenge to an opportunity. In January 2008, Drew University President Robert Weisbuch joined college and  university presidents across the country in signing The Presidents’ Climate Commitment. In doing so Drew  University  committed  to  neutralize  greenhouse  gas  emissions  associated  with  university  activities  and  accelerate the research and education needed to minimize anthropogenic climate change.    Through  The  Presidents’  Climate  Commitment,  Drew  University  models  the  commitment  to  civic  engagement and responsible global citizenship central to its mission statement. Confronting the challenges of  sustainability across the curriculum enhances Drew University’s efforts to provide an engaged and socially  relevant  education.  By  developing  and  implementing  a  comprehensive  plan  for  carbon  neutrality,  and  involving faculty, staff, and students in the process, Drew University helps to create engaged and responsible  citizens intellectually prepared to meet the challenges of climate change. Drew University’s commitment to  carbon neutrality will augment student, faculty and staff recruitment, community and governmental support,  and educational and research capabilities. It will also reduce and stabilize operating costs, an increasingly  important issue in the current financial climate. Lastly, by taking tangible steps to combat climate change,  and being publically accountable for our decisions, Drew University will become a regional leader in the  stewardship of natural resources. In joining The Presidents’ Climate Commitment, Drew University pledged to  develop and implement a comprehensive plan that includes:  • An annual greenhouse gas inventory of the school;  • The establishment of a timeline leading to carbon neutrality;  • Two or more short‐term “tangible actions” that begin to address the issue of climate change;  • The enhancement of sustainability issue in the curriculum; and  • Sharing plans and progress reports in an effort to facilitate progress at other institutions.