Join the Network

The November 2007 report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change described climate change as "severe and so sweeping that only urgent, global action" can head it off. Confronting climate change will require solutions of immense proportions and an unparalleled nature. There are more than 95,000 public schools and 34,000 private and independent schools in the U.S. alone. Schools must be active participants in global efforts to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prepare citizens to think and act in new and creative ways. No individual school or subset of schools can solve this problem alone. We must work together now to preserve our planet so that future generations can thrive.

Step 1: Make the Commitment

As the duly authorized representative of my school, I hereby accept the Green Schools Climate Commitment and Pledge to reduce my school’s carbon footprint at one of the following Levels of Commitment:

Climate Champion Level: Reduce my school’s carbon footprint by at least 30% within 5 years, and achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2020.

Climate Steward Level: Calculate my school’s carbon footprint by establishing an energy and carbon emissions baseline. Achieve carbon reductions over time.

Step 2: Build the Community

1. Organize a school Sustainability Task Force representing the entire school community to guide the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan to reduce our school’s carbon emissions according to our level of commitment. [Suggested timeline: Within two months]

Step 3: Know Your Numbers

1. Benchmark energy usage and related carbon emissions baseline, conduct an Energy/Environmental Audit for the last calendar year. Monitor and Evaluate our progress on a monthly basis. [Suggested timeline: Within one year]

Step 4: Reduce Your Footprint

1. Initiate two or more short-term Tangible Actions to begin reducing carbon emissions and to demonstrate strong commitment to our school community. [Suggested timeline: within 1 year]
2. Complete a long-term Comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan addressing the reduction of our school's carbon emissions according to our Level of Commitment including: [Suggested timeline: Within two years]
• Interim targets for actions that will lead to carbon reduction according to my commitment
• Mechanisms for tracking progress

Step 5: Spread the Word

1. Educate the school community and key stakeholders about the importance of climate change, energy conservation and sustainability, and integrate activities and lessons into existing curriculum. [Suggested timeline: Ongoing]
2. Monitor and Report Progress toward meeting my school’s Climate Commitment on an on-going annual basis to the Green Schools Alliance. [Suggested timeline: Ongoing]