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Do Actions Speak As Loud As Words? Commitments To “Going Green” On Campus

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  • PHILIP SIRIANNI
  • MICHAEL O’HARA

Abstract

type="main" xml:lang="en"> Signatories to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) pledge to pursue a path toward carbon neutrality through the choice of a set of Tangible Actions (TAs). The actions can be chosen either because they will lead to reductions or because they are the easiest to achieve. By exploiting the variation in the TAs chosen by colleges, we find evidence for both of these motivations. We find evidence that schools focusing their efforts on improving energy efficiency have achieved swift reductions. Conversely, schools pledging to use green power are generally already utilizing it and therefore do not achieve additional reductions. We conclude with suggestions for improvement in the ACUPCC reporting system that would improve potential for analysis. (JEL Q01, Q40, Q56)

Suggested Citation

  • Philip Sirianni & Michael O’Hara, 2014. "Do Actions Speak As Loud As Words? Commitments To “Going Green” On Campus," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 32(2), pages 503-519, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:32:y:2014:i:2:p:503-519
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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