



Recommending a Path To Carbon Neutrality at Miami University
In January 2019, Miami University President Greg Crawford charged the Miami University Sustainability Committee to prepare a new sustainability plan. One of the 10 objectives of the charge was to consider whether Miami should sign the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitment (PCLC, formerly American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment).
With the input of internal and external stakeholders, the committee prepared a report, "A Commitment to Lead: A proposed, renewed vision to position Miami University as a sustainability leader among higher education institutions."
In that report the Sustainability Committee strongly recommended that due to the overwhelming evidence that the impact of climate change requires drastic action, and that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates catastrophic consequences if societies continue business as usual, the University should commit to carbon neutrality by one of two pathways:
1. Sign the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitment (PCLC) which provides guidance and ensures transparency.
OR
2. Implement our own university-based plan that is transparent and rigorous.
President Crawford has asked the Sustainability Committee to provide additional details about these two pathways and to have their recommendations to him by early 2020.
Read the full story: Moving off steam: Utility Master Plan provides a path toward carbon neutrality
Sustainability Partnerships
MU-Lean
MU-Lean is a method of organizing human activities to deliver more benefits and value to customers while systematically eliminating waste within processes.
Physical Facilities (PFD)
Physical Facilities (PFD) creates a more sustainable and green campus through proper waste management, energy conservation, and responsible construction practices.
Recognition and Honors
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Miami earned Gold in its most recent STARS assessment.
Miami received the Bicycle Friendly University-Bronze Award in November 2018 from the League of American Bicyclists for promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.
Noted for a walkable campus, new bike paths, expanded transit, a major shift to geothermal heating and cooling, a comprehensive storm water master plan and a commitment to the purchase of local/organic food, Miami was included in the Princeton Review Guide to 399 Green Colleges for 2018.