| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.84 |
| Liaison | Andrew Horning |
| Submission Date | Dec. 19, 2022 |
University of Michigan
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.33 / 2.00 |
Andrew
Horning Managing Director Graham Sustainability Institute |
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:
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:
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:
On a national level, we use the research garnered through our partnerships to advocate in support of funding for federal agencies through appropriation requests to Congress and we meet regularly with our elected officials on matters that support the health of the Great Lakes, climate change, and carbon use reduction, to name a few. Our faculty have provided testimony in support of climate change and the health of our water systems and the fundamental research investments that support these endeavors.
In the past Congress, U-M's Office of Federal Relations reported time spent advocating for the Administration's climate-related research and development funding -- including clean energy technologies, carbon capture, hydrogen, and battery technology demonstration projects -- provisions U-M lobbied on were incorporated into the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (which the President signed into law at the end of 2021) and the Inflation Reduction Act (which the President signed into law in 2022). U-M also lobbied on the Chips and Science Act of 2022, which authorizes programs at the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy that will impact the research and development programs across the government that will help to advance sustainability.
U-M has partnered with other climate-engaged colleges and universities to explore mechanisms for leveraging the contributions of higher education in addressing the climate crisis by sharing best practices, improving climate-related communication among institutions of higher education, and facilitating coordinated actions. From May-December 2022, and now into 2023, U-M has worked with approximately ten other universities to engage with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to advocate for a White House-led action that will bring senior officials from a diverse set of climate-engaged colleges and universities with selected representatives of federal agencies and stakeholder organizations in an effort to turn colleges and universities into catalysts for climate action, utilizing their resources and partnerships to amplify efforts among and beyond campuses and communities.
Additionally, U-M recently joined the Better Climate Challenge, a Department of Energy program in which participating organizations set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and share resources on their respective climate action efforts.
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:
The University of Michigan has also been vocal on international issues. Following an open letter to the international community and parties to the Paris Agreement, the University of Michigan President’s Commission on Carbon Neutrality has committed that the university will achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions ten years ahead of the net-zero guidance provided by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Climate Blue (University of Michigan Climate Delegation) participates in Conference of Parties (COP) annual negotiations held under the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is an international gathering of representatives from 195 countries (the Parties) who meet to decide policies vital to the health of our planet under the looming threat of climate change. Last gathering took place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. (https://climateblue.org/)
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:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.