As Kermit the Frog wisely noted, it ain’t easy being green. And for an institution as large as Duke, it ain’t cheap either.

But in the long run, the University’s push toward greater environmental sustainability is worthwhile and important.

At its meeting earlier this month, the Board of Trustees approved the Climate Action Plan, a program that aims to make the University—not including the Medical Center—carbon neutral by the year 2024 and to cut greenhouse gas emissions 88 percent by 2050.

A Campus Sustainability Committee will oversee the implementation of this plan, and its work will be carried out through a number of sub-committees, each targeting a specific component of environmental sustainability.   

Historically, Duke has been active in pursuing sustainability through LEED Certified buildings and switching to alternate energy sources when possible. The Climate Action Plan builds upon these efforts.

It is also another example of the University affirming the importance and leadership of the Nicholas School of the Environment.

Setting the standard for sustainability brings with it positive publicity the for Nicholas School and the University as a whole, but more importantly, it allows Duke to fulfill its mission of enacting change globally and locally.

As a non-profit organization with a goal of promoting the common good of humanity, the University is well positioned to reduce its carbon footprint and take on the collective action problem that perpetuates poor decisions and practices that only harm the environment.

And as a driving force in regional affairs, Duke sets an example for other Durham and RTP institutions. Along these lines, the Climate Action Plan is a good tool for encouraging a broader commitment to sustainability across the region.  

Not only does the Climate Action Plan indicate that Duke is willing to take practical steps to support the values it espouses, it also exhibits prescience on the part of the University.

With legislation to regulate carbon emissions likely to emerge from Washington in the coming months, Duke is wise to take preemptive action in formulating a plan to curb its footprint.

And although money is tight now, this plan is financially prudent in the long term. Because it is being implemented over many years, the costs of the program are spread out across a long timeframe that will likely include both good and bad economic times.  

Additionally, many of the specific measures of the initiative are cost cutting and will comparatively reduce University expenses. The price of carbon offsets will only rise in the future due to an imminent increase in demand, and securing these assets now while the price is lower makes sense.

To ensure that the University’s actions resonate beyond the walls of campus, it is good that the plan incorporates communication and education committees. Duke alone cannot solve the problem of climate change, and education and outreach can create the necessary impetus in Durham and beyond to join in these sustainability efforts.  

The creation of environmentally sustainable institutions is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. The Climate Action Plan is a good first step in making this necessity a reality.