{"674033":{"#nid":"674033","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Climate Action Plan Provides Road Map to Net-Zero Emissions\u00a0","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech unveiled its first \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-climate-action-plan\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EClimate Action Plan (CAP)\u003C\/a\u003E, an actionable road map for halving Institute emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It provides strategies for mitigation, adaptation, climate education, and research, while finding ethical, cost-effective solutions. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CAP is a deliverable of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sustainabilitynext-plan\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESustainability Next\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s 10-year strategic sustainability plan, and it is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Institute\u2019s strategic plan, and the Comprehensive Campus Plan. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs one of the world\u2019s leading research universities, Georgia Tech has the opportunity, and the obligation, to create and share solutions that can help curb climate change and mitigate its harmful impact on our planet and our lives,\u201d said President \u00c1ngel Cabrera. \u201cOur Climate Action Plan is bold and ambitious, aiming for 100% clean ground transportation by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050. These goals are not easy, but they reflect the seriousness of the challenges before us.\u201d\u202f\u202f\u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CAP was led by Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOffice of Sustainability\u003C\/a\u003E, with engagement across the campus community. The CAP Advisory Task Force, comprising experts and Institute leadership, helped guide the effort. Nine working groups in key focus areas developed climate action strategies, and additional stakeholder outreach with students, staff, faculty, and the Atlanta community took place at workshops, events, town halls, and webinars. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe plan\u2019s nine focus areas and guiding principles are: \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommunity, Ethics, and Accessibility\u003C\/strong\u003E: We seek to ensure that fair and just climate policies and strategies are in place at Georgia Tech and that they prioritize affordable climate change solutions that support our internal and external community.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding Energy\u003C\/strong\u003E: We are committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERenewable Energy and Offsets\u003C\/strong\u003E: We prioritize clean energy technologies to eliminate emissions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMobility\u003C\/strong\u003E: We optimize campus mobility through a variety of transportation modes that are accessible, affordable, and low- to no-emissions, considering environmental and human health impacts when determining and implementing transit and land use actions. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMaterials Management\u003C\/strong\u003E: We support a thriving circular economy that focuses on upstream systems for achieving zero waste, ensures sustainable\u0026nbsp;procurement, and supports our local community. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWater Management\u003C\/strong\u003E: We adapt our water infrastructure to be resilient to the impacts of climate change.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEducation\u003C\/strong\u003E: We prepare all students, regardless of discipline, to address climate-related challenges in their personal and professional lives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch\u003C\/strong\u003E: We expand support for faculty, staff, and students to advance innovative research and projects to address climate-related issues. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECarbon Sequestration\u003C\/strong\u003E: We leverage the natural and physical resources of our campus to sequester and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe plan has 30 strategies for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and advancing climate research and education. The most ambitious strategies include:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETransition to electrification of combustion-based heating systems.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIncrease energy efficiency in building operations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIncrease on-site renewable energy production, and procure energy generated from renewable and zero-emissions sources.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETransition the campus vehicle fleet to zero-emissions vehicles and increase sustainable and affordable commuting options.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EImplement blackwater reuse systems and increase water efficiency and conversation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBecome a Zero Waste campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPrioritize climate education across Georgia Tech\u2019s curriculum.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIdentify and shape future climate research opportunities in which Georgia Tech aspires to lead.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is committed to sustainability and the environmental stewardship of our campus community,\u201d said Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability and chair of the CAP Advisory Task Force. \u201cThe CAP was developed in partnership with leadership and with our own experts from within Georgia Tech. As we move toward implementation, it will require a whole-community approach, and we will continue to work together to reach our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo read or download the full plan, visit the Office of Sustainability\u2019s webpage \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-climate-action-plan\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. If you are interested in participating in an implementation committee, please fill out the form on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-climate-action-plan\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECAP website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe last nine months had the hottest global temperatures on record. Georgia Tech\u2019s Climate Action Plan outlines mitigation and adaptation strategies for reaching net-zero emissions on campus by 2050 and contributing to global solutions through education and research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Climate Action Plan outlines mitigation and adaptation strategies for reaching net-zero emissions on campus by 2050 and contributing to global solutions through education and research."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2024-04-05 20:22:39","changed_gmt":"2025-01-27 15:27:02","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673667":{"id":"673667","type":"image","title":"cover of CAP_for mercury.PNG","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECover of the Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1712686694","gmt_created":"2024-04-09 18:18:14","changed":"1712686694","gmt_changed":"2024-04-09 18:18:14","alt":"image of cover of the climate action plan","file":{"fid":"257089","name":"cover of CAP_for mercury.PNG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/09\/cover%20of%20CAP_for%20mercury.PNG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/09\/cover%20of%20CAP_for%20mercury.PNG","mime":"image\/png","size":641239,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/09\/cover%20of%20CAP_for%20mercury.PNG?itok=5Fi1IxJC"}}},"media_ids":["673667"],"related_links":[{"url":"entity:node\/662496","title":"Sustainability Next"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"35921","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"192081","name":"office of sustainability"},{"id":"192063","name":"Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Abby.bower@sustain.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAbby Bower\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProgram and Portfolio Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOffice of Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInfrastructure and Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Abby.bower@sustain.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}