Climate Action Commitment

Ongoing Climate Action Commitment Revision Process

Approved initially in 2009 by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, and revised in 2013, the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment serves as the university’s guiding framework around sustainability and energy efficiency in campus operations, facilities, curriculum, and research.

In 2019, President Tim Sands called for its renewal and revision to ensure the most stringent climate and sustainability standards are implemented as Virginia Tech continues to grow and seeks to be a leader in environmental stewardship.

Proposed revisions were presented to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors in November 2020. A comprehensive financial review of the proposed revisions is currently underway.

November 2020: Climate Action Commitment Working Group Executive Report

Climate Action Commitment Revisions Executive Report Cover with Duck Pond in the foreground and the Holtzman Alumni Center in the background against a blue sky

Read the report

Learn More about the Year-Long Revision Process

Details

Background

The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment, which was approved in 2009 and reaffirmed in 2013, touches on all aspects of the university, including teaching, research, and campus operations and is intended to guide the university toward a greener, more sustainable future.

Among the 14 goals in the plan, it commits the university to reach a 50 percent recycling rate by 2020, improving energy efficiency where and whenever possible in campus buildings, achieving a minimum LEED rating of silver for all new construction, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Sustainability Plan

An accompanying Sustainability Program addresses how the university will reach the goals outlined above. The Sustainability Plan was created in 2009 and updated in 2014.

Annual Reports

To ensure progress towards the goals are met, the university conducts annual assessments to measure actual progress each year and releases these reports to the public.