Spring 2007, Volume 10 Newsletter:
The Leadership Tide Has Turned on Climate Change
In April 2007 the City of Cambridge, in partnership with the Kendall Foundation, launched an ambitious initiative called the Cambridge Energy Alliance. The goal of this alliance is to direct $70-100 million of private funds into supporting energy conservation across the City of Cambridge, making the city a global model of energy conservation. The alliance is using the HGCI’s revolving loan fund model and plans to work closely together with Harvard.
In April 2007 Mayor Menino issued a public commitment that Boston will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. The City of Boston will continue to partner with the HGCI to exchange ideas and develop strategies for success.
Within a few short months over 200 University and College presidents have signed the College and University President Climate Commitment, committing their institutions to spend the next two years developing a strategy and timeline for making their campuses climate neutral (eliminating all campus related greenhouse gas emissions). http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/html/signatories.php
At this stage President Bok and President Elect Drew Faust are not planning to sign the Presidents Commitment and have instead asked the HGCI to work with the Harvard community to give further consideration to the matter of adopting campus sustainability targets such as a greenhouse gas reduction goal for Harvard.