Duke’s Office of Climate and Sustainability released a report Monday outlining new goals on the road to the University’s 2030 climate strategy and reaffirming the institution’s commitment to addressing the climate challenge.
The report comes a week before the three-year anniversary of the launch of Duke’s Climate Commitment. It’s the product of almost two years of discussions among students, faculty and staff, setting interim targets for growth across each of the Climate Commitment’s five pillars: education, research, sustainable operations, external engagement and community partnerships.
Toddi Steelman, vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability, explained that the report is “anchor[ed]” by 2030 because the year represents a major deadline in the broader scientific community — a target set by the Paris Agreement to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 43% to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Steelman added that the University set three-year targets because five years can feel like “a long way away,” especially when undergraduate students cycle every four years…