SHARJAH, 1st March, 2022 (WAM) — American University of Sharjah (AUS) has announced that it is developing its first comprehensive Climate Action Plan with the goal to reduce the university’s carbon emissions.
The plan further aligns the university’s sustainability efforts with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative announced in October 2021.
As part of the process, AUS launched the Climate Action Exhibition, which runs until 12th March, on its campus. The exhibition acts as a forum to seek feedback on faculty and student research, classroom engagement on climate action, and community campaigns to educate AUS’ stakeholders on the climate action.
The UAE’s strategic initiative is a national drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, making the UAE the first country in MENA to do so. The strategy aligns with the Paris Agreement and the UAE’s roadmap for the next 50 years for accelerating national economic development. AUS has been one of the pioneering higher education institutions in the UAE and regionally to focus its academics and operations on sustainability.
“We are committed at AUS to reducing our carbon emissions. To honor and join in this bold UAE initiative, AUS is developing a Climate Action Plan that will serve as our roadmap to reducing emissions. AUS and all higher education institutions play an important role in leading change, educating future generations, serving as a living laboratory for innovation, and modeling the adaptations and behavioral changes needed for the UAE to meet these targets on climate change,” said Dr. Susan Mumm, Chancellor of AUS.
The comprehensive Climate Action Plan is expected to be completed by June 2022, with progress measured and assessed annually. The plan will offer a roadmap for reducing the university’s carbon emissions, focusing on the technical and operational changes required, as well as an engagement plan to involve the AUS community. As part of this, the upcoming Climate Action Exhibition will focus on the milestones the university has already reached in energy usage, transportation and supply chain operations that reduce emissions, as well as communicate future plans and initiatives.
