The Sustainability Council of the University of Denver has begun meeting to set the course of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at DU. The establishment of this council is the first of a series of steps outlined in the climate commitment signed by Chancellor Bob Coombe last June.

“This is a very committed and enthusiastic group,” said Provost Gregg Kvistad, who organized the selection and creation of the council. “Its first order of business is to create bylaws and arrange for the election of a council chair. Substantively, the council is eager to tackle a number of issues right away.”

The council is expected to compile a comprehensive inventory of DU’s greenhouse gas emissions that can be reevaluated periodically and track the progress of DU’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint. Students and faculty can also expect further development of the existing environmentally conscientious activities on campus; including a more extensive recycling program, certification by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard for all new buildings being constructed and more efficient lighting systems in academic buildings and the Ritchie Center. There has also been talk of potentially employing a sustainability consultant.

“The council will consider anything,” said Charlie Coggeshall, a member of the council and graduate student at Daniels College of Business.

He said the council will serve as an internal action group that will not interfere with the existing student environmental groups on campus but instead will work towards goals independently outline by the climate commitment.

“Crucial for the Sustainability Council is not to usurp, but to build on and to encourage the grass-roots activism among DU students, staff and faculty that propelled us to where we are right now,” said Kvistad.

Last year Coombe signed the American Colleges and University President’s Climate Commitment, a nationwide effort initiated by students at over 200 universities to combat global warming. The climate commitment was the result of grass-roots organizing by Sustainable DU to increase dialogue on sustainability between students and key DU administrators. Sustainable DU worked throughout the winter and spring semesters of 2007 to demonstrate the support of students in the effort to achieve climate neutrality to the chancellor.

Regarding the council, graduate student member Jeff Malcolm believes, “There is a lot of momentum, if you falter now there will be a lot of disappointment.”