The College of New Jersey Logo

Apply     Visit     Give     |     Alumni     Parents     Offices     TCNJ Today     Three Bar Menu

An Institute for Sustainability Planning and Governance

TCNJ’s President’s Climate Commitment Committee

The Sustainability Institute serves on the President’s Climate Commitment Committee. The President’s Climate Commitment Committee (PCCC) was established upon the signing of the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) by President Gitenstein in the Spring of 2007. This agreement calls for the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality for our campus. It gives tangible actions that we will initiate in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  There are many questions and concerns that arise when faced with the daunting task of reducing our environmental impact on the planet.

What is climate neutrality?

“For purposes of the ACUPCC, climate neutrality is defined as having no net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to be achieved by minimizing GHG emissions as much as possible, and using carbon offsets or other measures to mitigate the remaining emissions.”

In order to be considered “climate neutral” we must:

Calculate…

…our Total Climate-damaging emissions (a Greenhouse Gas Inventory). Emissions are measured in “Carbon Dioxide Equivalents” (eCO2) from burning fossil fuels such as oil for heating and electricity and gasoline for transportation by campus vehicles, students, faculty and staff.

Reduce…

 …emissions where possible. Example: increasing building energy efficiency through the use of compact flourescent bulbs (CFLs) and increasing the use of public transportation.

Balance…

…remaining emissions, by purchasing a carbon offset: paying to avoid or reduce the same amount of eCO2 emissions. Example: funding a project to build solar panels or wind turbines for use of clean, renewable energy.

 

For more information, visit http://climate.pages.tcnj.edu/.