Outline
Statement of Purpose
Imperative for Climate Action in 2020
1. Goals to Reduce Campus Greenhouse Emissions
2. Engagement with the Fossil Fuel Industry
3. Divestment and Moral Leadership on Climate
4. Leadership in Development of Technologies
5. Climate Education
Conclusion
Signatories
In the last 5 years, climate change has become a crisis as natural
disasters have accelerated, and the IPCC called for cutting emissions by about
half in this decade to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The next 5
years as we all know will be crucial to setting the course towards limiting warming
to 1.5°C.
Since MIT released its original Plan for Action on Climate Change in 2015, climate disasters have made the urgency of action apparent: the worst-ever 2020 wildfire season in Australia, South America, and Western US; severe droughts in East Africa in 2017 and again in 2019; deadly floods in South Asia that left a third of Bangladesh under water this past summer; and 6 years of drought in Central America’s Dry Corridor offer a preview of the climate crisis to come. The 2018 IPCC report on the impacts of Global Warming of 1.5°C calls for cutting net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and reaching net zero around 2050. Already, the global average surface temperature has risen nearly 1°C relative to 1951-1980 average temperatures. Global carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise and the window to limit global warming to 1.5°C is closing fast. Meanwhile, the current U.S. administration has stalled climate progress in the U.S. by rolling back environmental regulations and globally by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. COVID-19 has raised the stakes: the choices that leaders make for long-term economic recovery will chart our economic course for the next decade. Continuation of current policies is expected to result in upwards of 1-3 billion climate refugees in the next 50 years. In such a critical environment, it’s imperative that MIT takes action by increasing its own commitment to climate change and leadership in at least the following areas.
MIT originally committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent from a 2014 baseline by 2030 and has reduced net emissions by 24 percent so far. This commitment is not commensurate with the IPCC’s stated need for a 45 percent net reduction from a 2010 baseline by 2030. MIT should exceed this global goal by committing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Already, American University became the first university in the U.S. to achieve carbon neutrality in 2018, and many of our peer institutions have committed to carbon neutrality before the middle of the century, as shown in the table below. MIT should draw on its formidable technical expertise and that of its alumni to forge the path to carbon neutrality for large research institutions by 2030.
Institution | Carbon Neutrality Commitment Date | Institution | Carbon Neutrality Commitment Date |
Harvard University | 2050 | Brown University | 90% of Fossil Fuel investments divested |
Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania | ||
Yale University | Columbia University | Reduced 35% by 2020; have aggressive plans for 2030 | |
Princeton University | Northwestern University | ||
Cornell University | Moratorium on Fossil Fuel Investments | Dartmouth University | |
University of Chicago | Duke University |
MIT should also begin planning to achieve a zero-emissions campus by 2040. The vast majority of campus emissions reductions to date have been achieved through emissions offsets, namely by financing the Summit Farms solar array in North Carolina. While this net reduction is commendable, the 2040 global net zero ambition limits the long-term role of renewable energy credits. Eventually, MIT must operate without greenhouse gas emissions and should develop a plan for on-campus clean energy generation projects, energy neutral buildings, zero emissions transportation on campus, and other changes to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. MIT’s lead in implementing these changes will clear the way and provide valuable insights for other large institutions to develop zero-emissions campuses. Already, a plan has been submitted through Climate Colab for MIT to eliminate its building emissions completely and to do so effectively free. We think the 2020 plan is a great opportunity to set forth a goal for full campus (facilities & operations) decarbonization by 2040.
Some fossil fuel companies “greenwash” their public reputation by sponsoring research, buildings, and other academic activities at respected universities like MIT. At the same time, these companies have failed to align their own practices with the Paris Agreement, spread climate disinformation, and spent millions lobbying against climate legislation. As a prominent research university, MIT should develop and publish clear standards for engagement (i.e. collaboration, accepting funding for research and capital projects, and other partnerships) with such fossil fuel companies that promote transparency, accountability and commitment to a shared purpose in minimizing their environmental footprint.
For example, MIT’s advice to fossil fuel companies as they transition to a carbon-free business model is appreciated and should be further encouraged. A successful transition would reduce GHG emissions and increase the likelihood that MIT could continue to receive funds from the fossil fuel companies. MIT should also ensure that new business models do not contribute to the problem of plastic pollution, which disproportionately harms developing countries. These advisory relationships should be contingent upon the companies transparently tracking their transition toward fossil-free operations and meeting MIT’s stringent benchmarks*. Any fossil fuel company that fails to make a good-faith effort to accomplish these goals and meet their benchmarks should be taken off MIT’s relationship list.
Beyond accepting direct funding from fossil fuel companies, MIT should not bet against the transition to a carbon-free economy by investing its endowment in fossil fuel companies that resist this transition. These investments are antithetical to MIT's commitment to address causes and propose solutions to climate change. Already, six peer institutions of MIT have fully divested from fossil fuels, and five more have divested from coal and/or tar sands, as shown in the following table.
Institution | Divestment Commitment | Institution | Divestment Commitment |
Brown University | Columbia University | Coal only | |
Cornell University | Johns Hopkins University | ||
Georgetown University | London School of Economics | Coal and tar sands only | |
University of California | Stanford University | Coal only | |
University of Cambridge | Full (by 2030) | Yale University | |
University of Oxford | - | - |
Membership is currently at 25 and can be enhanced further. The consortia research is currently limited to Mobility and Utility. We have limited information on the vitality of these LCECs, in terms of staffing and funding. There is no visibility on the progress of a 2°C roadmap study either. We need transparency on how MIT will continue to lead the charge and make its commitment stronger to develop new technologies via these LCECs.
MIT has issued a climate grand challenge. We are supportive of this endeavor given its potential to address difficult and impactful research problems related to climate change (mitigation, adaptation or quantification of climate risk). We look forward to its fruition and are open to support in any way possible.
MIT should incorporate a holistic understanding of the climate crisis into all of its undergraduate programs and ensure that all programs prepare graduates for the role that their field will play in addressing the climate crisis. For example, MIT could consider an introductory course on climate change as a general education requirement or elective, and can offer advanced courses within each department that build on that foundation and explore unique technology solutions through the various disciplines.
Further, MIT’s education efforts and influence could extend to industry sectors where professionals need continuing education to maintain their expertise, licensure or status. For example, the Engineers that design and build Energy Systems Electrification for buildings need to be trained to ensure faster adoption of Clean Energy systems. The window is narrow as most HVAC and Building equipment upgrades are done once every 20 years. MIT could build educational programs that aspire to promote uniform adoption across different jurisdictions.
New climate technologies will create a new landscape of jobs and opportunities for growth in the economy. As for previous disruptive technologies that MIT has primed its students for, MIT will also have the responsibility to ready the workforce with appropriate skills to take on these new and exciting roles.
____________________
*While the metrics for each company may vary, the following list provides an example:
- 2021 – MIT announces publicly a willingness to help fossil-fuel companies transition to a carbon-free business model. Assistance could range from technology assessment to developing a business strategy.
- 2025 – Fossil-fuel companies’ new fossil-free operations begin.
- 2030 – 25% of company revenue is generated by new fossil-free model.
- 2040 –100% revenue by new model.
The following members have endorsed these recommendations:
Donald Rea, Class of 1954 Ph.D.
Andrea McGimsey, BS, 1987
Karen Plaut Berger, PhD, 2000
Bruce Parker, BS '69 and MS '70
Andrew Gregg, Class of 2004
Laurie Helller, Class of 1987
Christianna Raber, Course 4 - Class of 2004
Michael Mavrovouniotis, PhD, 1989
John R Dabels, Class of 1979, Sloan Fellow
José Luis del Valle Doblado, S.M.'78, Nucl.E.'78
James Adelstein, Class of 1948
Aaron Ucko, '00, M.Eng. '01
Mei Wan, Sloan MMFin Class 2021
Claire Halloran, Class of 2020
Susan Murcott, MIT, Course 1. S.B.1990, S.M.1992
LeNore Kerber, SB 1987, SM 1988
John Mark Ettinger, Class of 1987
Priya Giri, MBA - Sloan Fellows Class of 2013
Susan Udin, BS 1969, Phd 1975
Laura Liao, Class of 2020
Michael Laird, Class of 1969, Sloan MBA 1972
Brian P. Murphy, Naval Engineer & MSME 2000, MS Ocean Systems Mgmt. 2004
Tung Nhu Nguyen
Chuan-Fu Wu, PhD, 1988
Avital Baral, Class of 2020
Matthew Bruchon, TPP 2013
Shyamadas Banerji, SB 64, SM 65
Fen Labalme, 1981
Thomas J Hirasuna, 1976, SB Courses X and VII-A
Jeremy Poindexter, PhD 2018
Ronald Agronin, Class of 1960
William C. Sandberg, Sc. M. 1970
Jillian James, S.B. 2010, S.M. 2016
- MIT Action Plan on Climate Change (2015-2020)
- Dr Maria Zuber Update on MIT's Climate Action Plan - Spring 2019
- MIT Office of Sustainability Report Slides and Q&A - February 2020
- President Rafael Reif Boston Globe OpEd - April 2020
- MIT Alumni Leadership Conference Climate Change Panel - September 2020
- MIT Climate Action Symposium November 16, 2020
- MIT Sustainability Initiative
- MIT Energy Initiative
- MIT Climate Portal
- MIT Faculty Divestment letter
- MIT Divest Petition on Fossil Fuel Companies
- MIT Divest Request for Information from MIT Administration and MIT response
- Opinion: MIT's Climate Inaction Plan
- Opinion: Prioritize people over pollution
- Opinion: Faculty in Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement
- Opinion: Have we reached a tipping point?
- Article: Colonization of Academia