Why climate justice is important in climate action planning
Climate action planning is not just about saving the planet, it's about saving people too. The University of Colorado Boulder recognizes this, and with their 2022-2023 Climate Action Plan (CAP), they're taking a stand for climate justice. By incorporating principles such as Indigenous climate action, community resilience and equity throughout the planning process, they're ensuring that all voices are heard and that the benefits of climate action are distributed fairly. Join the conversation at the Climate Action Plan Town Hall at the Campus Sustainability Summit on April 20 to be a part of this crucial decision-making process.
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing the world today. The current trends in greenhouse gas emissions have already led to significant environmental, social and economic impacts. The University of Colorado Boulder acknowledges the urgent need to act and address the challenge of climate change, with an equity lens. As a leading institution of higher education, the university is committed to developing a climate action plan that incorporates the principles of climate justice such as Indigenous climate action, community resilience and adaptation and climate education and engagement. Rather than looking at climate change as solely an environmental concern, climate justice connects the crisis to deeply entangled social and racial issues. Climate justice looks at the whole picture; how social inequality and institutionalized racism enables the exploitation of land, people and resources. It works to mitigate how climate change affects low-income and BIPOC communities across the world disproportionally, and seeks to address these systemic root causes by advancing a just transition away from fossil fuels.
CU Boulder’s 2022-2023 CAP is the university’s roadmap towards decarbonization and advancing just, equitable climate solutions. Actionable steps toward climate justice will focus on building performance, energy, water, waste, food, transportation, grounds, procurement, equity and resilience. These strategies seek to address the root causes of climate change and simultaneously address social, racial and environmental injustices reflecting CU’s commitment to advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). Specifically, the incorporation of equity has been interwoven throughout the planning process to support climate justice goals, including using an equity conscious stakeholder engagement process and using equity criteria, metrics and rubrics. The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to promoting social justice and equity in all aspects of its operations. This includes working to ensure that all members of the university community have access to resources and opportunities, regardless of their background or identity.
The plan, started in Oct. 2022, will work toward achieving the institution-wide goal of 50% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 and total carbon neutrality no later than 2050. The CAP builds on the chancellor’s Call to Climate Action, the 2009 Conceptual Plan for Carbon Neutrality and the most recent Campus Master Plan, Energy Master Plan, Transportation Master Plan and Housing Master Plan.
How decisions are made and by whom makes an enormous impact. To advance climate justice, we invite all to participate in this decision-making process to ensure all voices are heard and the benefits of climate action are equitably distributed. The purpose of this event is to present initial draft strategies being developed as a roadmap to a zero emissions target by no later than 2050. To ensure the final CAP is strongly supported during adoption and sets meaningful and realistic targets, we need input from both internal campus and external community stakeholders. Please join us to learn how the campus plans to further define its climate commitment. Find us at the Campus Sustainability Summit on April 20 from 1-4 p.m. at UMC 235 to give us your feedback on the first draft of the CAP and its climate justice components.