Virginia Tech has reaffirmed its commitment to being a leader in campus sustainability through the recent revision of its Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment.

Originally signed by university President Charles Steger in 2009, the climate action commitment was revised and approved this summer designated as Presidential Policy 262.

The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment details 14 resolutions intended to guide the university towards a greener, more sustainable future. It touches on all aspects of the university, including teaching, research, and campus operations.

The climate action commitment points out that sustainability will be fully incorporated into the Virginia Tech Strategic Plan. More specifically, the university is committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, to achieve a minimum Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) rating of silver for all new construction, to reach a 50 percent recycling rate by 2020, and to improve energy efficiency where and whenever possible in campus buildings.

The university is working to achieve these and other goals set out by the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment through a variety of programs including the Green RFP program, which directs university funds to student proposals for sustainability infrastructure, the installation of numerous recycling stations around campus, and the implementation of engagement programs on campus and in the greater New River Valley community.

More information about the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment, visit the Office of Energy and Sustainability website.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

Written by Emily Schosid.

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