FIT'S Pledge on Climate Change

As an institution of higher education in New York City, we applaud the monumental progress already made to promote clean energy and climate action both locally and nationally, and we join in supporting our national leaders in seeking a comprehensive, ambitious agreement at the upcoming United Nations Climate Negotiations in Paris.

Although we are optimistic that world leaders will reach an agreement to secure a transition to a low-carbon future, we recognize the urgent need to act now to avoid irreversible costs to our global community’s economic prosperity and public health.

Today the Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York pledges to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy while enhancing sustainable and resilient practices across our campus.   

We put forth our pledge as follows:

Commitment to sustainability is one of FIT’s core values and is central to its mission, which states: “…FIT fosters creativity, career focus, and a global perspective and educates its students to embrace inclusiveness, sustainability and a sense of community.” FIT’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint has made it a leader among higher education institutions in New York. Between 2005 and 2013, FIT has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 43%. FIT will continue its commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by:

  • Raising its goal for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 50% by 2020.
  • Completing an annual greenhouse gas inventory to quantify and document progress toward this goal.
  • Continuing the upgrade and improvement of infrastructure systems, replacing older, energy-efficient systems with newer energy efficient technologies.
  • Ensuring the use of LED lighting, recycled furniture and flooring options, and energy star appliances and equipment in renovations or physical plant improvements.
  • Continuing to replace older roofs with green roofs across the campus.
  • Installing alternative energy production systems such as solar panels to supplement energy production.
  • Continuing our commitment to recycling and the appropriate disposal of all campus waste.

Building on our existing renewable energy research and progress, we will extend our commitment to educating not only our students but the public on the benefits of renewables and low-carbon energy through several programs and initiatives:

  • Continuing the integration of sustainable information and practices across all academic programs, integrating the concepts of recycling and the use of sustainably produced materials in all curricular offerings.
  • Continue the planting, cultivating, and research into natural fabric dyes through our roof-top, student-managed dye garden.
  • Identifying and supporting initiatives of students and faculty through grants provided by the President’s Council on Sustainability. Examples of projects that have been supported in the past include: the muslin composting project, the installation of filtered water fountains, and the implementation of digital copying.
  • Conducting an annual conference and additional lectures and public conversations on sustainability practices across the creative industries.
  • Managing the college’s investment portfolio to ensure a commitment to green projects and divestment from direct fossil fuel holdings. 

This pledge for on-going efforts to promote clean energy and climate action is made this 17th day of November, 2015.

 

_Joyce Brown signature
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Dr. Joyce F. Brown, President