| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.37 |
| Liaison | Ruairi O'Mahony |
| Submission Date | Feb. 11, 2022 |
University of Massachusetts Lowell
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Ruairi
O'Mahony Executive Director Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
UMass Lowell is actively engaged with our partners in the City of Lowell to find sustainable solutions to our future growth. Balancing the needs of a growing university with those of our host community is a challenge that UMass Lowell has embraced. UMass Lowell has worked with the City of Lowell to adopt a Complete Streets policy that advocates for the inclusion of infrastructure such as bike and transit priority lanes that will support future sustainable travel patterns and has continued to engage with the city in a university Transportation Master Planning process.
UMass Lowell leads the annual Lowell Earth Day parade and festival. University leadership provides funding and participation in this event with our City and Regional Partners. It has become a key event in the City of Lowell's calendar that focuses on sustainability and climate change.
The University also engages with the Lowell Sustainability Council to support their public policy advocacy and assists in relevant legislation and ordinances. Specific examples include support for the Solarize Lowell program, funding provided for Bee City Designation, and joint events and engagement.
The city is a valued partner for the university.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
UMass Lowell is an active member of the Massachusetts Leading By Example (LBE) Council. LBE works collaboratively with state agencies and public colleges and universities to advance clean energy and sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of state government operations. LBE serves as a trusted resource and helps transform policy into action through strategic partnerships, technical assistance, grant funding and nation-leading best practices. The LBE Council provides public policy guidance and guides the development of legislation and ordinances including, but not limited to, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, green buildings, and sustainable transportation in Massachusetts.
In addition, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell was established by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) of 1989. TURI collaborates with businesses, community organizations and government agencies to reduce the use of toxic chemicals, protect public health and the environment and promote the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. TURI develops policy analyses to support regulatory decision making, and provides information and analysis on state and national toxics policy issues relevant to Massachusetts companies and communities.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
The Green Chemistry & Commerce Council (GC3) has been active at UMass Lowell since 2005. G3 participates in public policy and advocates for sustainability with some of the largest companies in the nation.
The GC3 works to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative green and sustainable chemistry solutions in response to market, science, and policy drivers. Developing and commercializing innovative chemistry solutions and the products that incorporate them is a necessarily disruptive market process that can result in replacement of—and/or improvement on—existing chemistry. The GC3’s efforts to drive large scale commercial adoption of safer, sustainable and high performing chemical solutions may focus on specific functions, chemicals or classes identified by members as priorities for innovation and substitution, which may disrupt the market for incumbent chemicals. In setting priorities for its projects, the GC3 seeks input from its members, scientists, government authorities, and others to develop its priorities for innovation and commercialization.
Specific examples of public policy advocacy from GC3 include:
- Green Chemistry and Commerce Council Policy Statement on Green Chemistry in Higher Education
- GC3 offered five amendments to encourage sustainable chemistry elements, and to secure a Republican co-sponsor for the Sustainable Chemistry R&D Act. GC3 were the first group listed in the Senators’ press release and quoted in the statements of support. GC3 then used this bill as the centerpiece for media outreach efforts to build awareness of its work and advocacy on green chemistry.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
UMass Lowell has official observer status for the UNFCCC Climate Negotiations. In this role, UMass Lowell faculty actively engage with and advocate for sustainability at the international level through engagement with policy makers and research and teaching related to the UNFCCC negotiations.
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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