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Brooklyn College is dedicated to addressing climate change and creating a sustainable future for its students and the community. The Campus Sustainability Council serves as a forum for collaboration among diverse groups and individuals to identify, develop, and implement sustainable practices and initiatives on campus. The council recognizes that sustainability requires a balance between environmental preservation, economic growth, and social progress, and strives to incorporate sustainable principles into all aspects of campus operations. By working together to promote sustainability, the college can reduce its environmental impact, foster innovation and research, and create a healthier and more equitable community for all.
The mission of Brooklyn College’s sustainability initiative is to create a culture of sustainability throughout the entire campus community. We will do this by raising awareness of, engagement in, and commitment to reducing our carbon footprint through campus-based education, research, operations, and community-based collaboration and service. Our sustainability planning will take special recognition of the constraints, opportunities, and responsibilities that come with our urban location in one of the most densely populated cities in the United States.
For example, we formed a Campus Sustainability Task Force in 2008 that released an initial 10-year campus sustainability plan in 2010 with the intention of building sustainability into campus operations and academic programs. Much has been accomplished since then, including the launching of an Urban Sustainability undergraduate program and the hiring of a dedicated full-time sustainability coordinator.
Our mission has since expanded to acknowledge the new realities presented by extreme weather events and environmental impacts, and to align with recent state and local legislation to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The following eight focus areas guide these efforts:
The Campus Sustainability Council has been given the responsibility of enhancing the sustainability of all college operations and devising a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in alignment with New York Executive Order 22: Leading by Example. To accomplish these overarching objectives, the council has identified several focus areas that will guide its efforts: