– For Immediate Release –
For More Information:
Caleb Haddad, Organizing Director, NJPIRG Students, [email protected], 650-766-1739
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ. — Rutgers University President Holloway announced last week the release of the Rutgers Climate Action Plan, as well as the establishment of an Office of Climate Action to continue the university’s progress toward a cleaner future. The plan includes a commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, carbon neutrality by 2040, and zero carbon from purchased electricity by 2030.
In the past year, over 3,000 Rutgers students signed on in support of Rutgers transitioning to 100% renewable energy. We know that we need to transition entirely away from fossil fuels and toward a world powered by 100% renewable energy, and Rutgers, as the state university of New Jersey, can lead the way.
“We applaud Rutgers for its commitment to climate action and for setting ambitious clean electricity and carbon neutrality goals. It’s clear the university took the student input and put it into this plan,” said Priya Srinivasan, a third year at Rutgers New Brunswick who worked on NJPIRG’s campaign.
“I’m most excited about the intention to fully electrify the University’s fleet, which pollutes the air as well as the climate. Students also know that further action is required now. To meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2040 it is imperative that Rutgers commits to 100% renewable energy.”
In addition to the grassroots efforts of students, the student governments at Rutgers Newark and Rutgers Camden passed resolutions in support. Thirty student and community organizations signed on in support as well. NJPIRG Students delivered this support to President Holloway before the announcement of the Climate Action Plan.
“I am heartened by the overwhelmingly positive response we have gotten from the release of the Climate Action Plan,” said Angie Oberg, Associate Director of the Office of Climate Action. “We could not have completed the [Climate Action Plan] without the sustained engagement of students, faculty, and staff across Rutgers. Now the real work begins. We know that successful implementation of the plan requires active student participation, and we look forward to working with all of you as we move forward!”
With this commitment, Rutgers joins the movement of universities taking action on climate. From the University of California system’s recent commitment to 100% clean electricity and carbon neutrality by 2025, to Vanderbilt University’s commitment to 100% renewable energy and partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority to build a 35 MW solar farm.
For more information about the campaign to shift America’s colleges and universities to 100 percent renewable energy: https://www.go100renewablecampus.org/ or https://njpirgstudents.org
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NJPIRG Students is a statewide student-run organization that works to protect the environment, promote civic engagement, and make college more affordable. Visit us at https://njpirgstudents.org