| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.31 |
| Liaison | Lisa Noriega |
| Submission Date | Aug. 3, 2020 |
Yale University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Amber
Garrard Associate Director Yale Office of Sustainability |
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:
The Bike-Walk Committee funded the 20isPlenty Campaign, and in so doing, expressed direct support for changes to municipal policy to address issues of pedestrian safety (by reducing speed limits). Though the President does not sit on this committee, there is representation from University Police, Public Safety, Office of the Provost, and University Planning (who work closely with the VP of New Haven and State Affairs on transportation planning with the city DOT). The Committee advocates for and generates programming to promote bike and pedestrian safety and resources for the Yale and New Haven community. The 20isPlenty campaign is aimed at making New Haven streets safer for all by asking drivers to commit to traveling at 20 mph. Driving higher speeds on city and neighborhood streets, puts vulnerable users (i.e., those walking, biking, kids playing, etc.) at much higher risk.
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:
On September 3, 2019, Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order No. 3, re-establishing and expanding the membership and responsibilities of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change, also known as the GC3. The GC3 was originally established in 2015 by Governor Dan Malloy. In addition to continuing to address mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gases, the newly expanded GC3 also considers adaptation and resilience in the face of climate change impacts. The GC3's membership includes 23 members from state agencies, quasi-public agencies, businesses, local governments, and nonprofits, and is tasked with two primary objectives and related tasks:
1. Monitor and report on the state’s implementation of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies set forth in the inaugural GC3’s December 2018 report Building a Low Carbon Future for Connecticut: Achieving a 45% GHG Reduction by 2030.
2. Develop and implement adaptation strategies to assess and prepare for the impacts of climate change in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, natural resources, and public health.
A subcommittee model was established to move this work forward (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/climatechange/GC3/gc3_subcommitteesworkinggroups.pdf). Representatives from Yale’s faculty and administration as well as alumni serve as members and leaders of multiple subcommittees (including: Equity & Environmental Justice, Working & Natural Lands, Financing Adaptation & Resilience, Adaptation Planning & Implementation, Infrastructure & Land Use Adaptation, Science & Technology, Progress on Mitigation Strategies).
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Climate-Change/GC3/Governors-Council-on-Climate-Change
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Climate-Change/GC3/Subcommittee-and--working-groups
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:
Yale joined 11 other major research universities in affirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement in 2017.
https://news.yale.edu/2017/06/05/yale-affirms-commitment-progress-climate-change
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:
Yale faculty and students participated in COP 24 in Katawice, Poland to serve on national delegation teams and assist the UNDP at the 2018 UN Climate Change Conference.
https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/yale-at-cop/
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.