Climate Action Plan

Radford University, as a American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment signatory, has completed the process of developing its first ever campus-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP).

What is a CAP?


A climate action plan is a campus plan that aims to reduce campus greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by a specific amount over a certain time period. A comprehensive CAP includes specific actions and focus areas including determining a climate neutrality target date (including setting interim target dates) and prioritizing Mitigation, Education, Research, and Outreach strategies. The CAP includes tracking measures to ensure progress on goals and actions. The CAP is an evolving plan that is revisited every couple of years and is updated based on changes in campus conditions and available technologies.

What was the process?

In April 2011, Radford University's Sustainability Steering Committee hosted three one-hour workshops to solicit campus input as the university prepares to develop its Climate Action Plan (CAP). The workshops were open to students, faculty, staff, and others that were interested in the development of the CAP. The workshops featured presentations on the CAP planning process, environmental issues and university efforts toward carbon neutrality as well as discussions during which ideas and suggestions were offered. Radford University spent a lot of time developing, preparing, and finalizing its CAP and submitted it to the ACUPCC in 2013.

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Why does this matter?

According to the US EPA's Climate Change website, human activities (like the burning of fossil fuels) have an effect on the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As the greenhouse gases build up, they remain in the atmosphere for a long time, thus increasing the Earth's temperature. Increases in the Earth's temperature can have devastating health and environmental effects on the inhabitants of the planet. So, let's do what we can today to help leave a better place for tomorrow.

What can I do?

Each of us can:

  • submit any ideas or suggestions to the SustainABILITY Steering Committee or send them by email to:
  • commit to using resources wisely while on campus and at home, learn more ideas about how to get involved.