(WNY News Now) – CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. – Chautauqua Institution’s Board of Trustees sets an ambitious 2050 net-zero carbon goal.
At its May quarterly meeting, the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees approved a resolution to achieve a net zero carbon impact goal by the year 2050.
The resolution empowers staff to develop a climate action plan for the Institution that: (1) achieves net-zero carbon emissions for Institution operations by no later than 2050; (2) ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state climate laws and policies; (3) sets annual benchmarks that progressively reduce the Institution’s greenhouse gas emissions; (4) funds measures to achieve these benchmarks through sustainable annual budgets; (5) advances measures to improve the long-term climate resilience of the Chautauqua Lake and the Institution’s grounds; (6) creates pathways for engagement and participation by relevant external stakeholders; and (7) is used by the Institution as a model to inspire climate action by others.
In a letter to the community on behalf of the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees and Executive Team, President Michael E. Hill stated, “We are deeply concerned about the increasing intensity of climate change and the potential for unprecedented and irreversible detrimental impacts. We are beginning to experience the effects of climate change on Institution grounds, in our region, and in Chautauqua Lake, and we understand that these effects are projected to become more damaging.”
The letter further clarifies Institution planning will center on a goal of 2044 to ensure compliance by 2050.
Mark Wenzler, Peter Nosler Director of the Chautauqua Climate Initiative, will direct the plan development and monitoring.
“I am proud to help lead this Institution-wide effort to bring greater definition and focus to Chautauqua’s long-standing commitment to caring for the environment,” Wenzler said. “This is a natural extension to the great work that Chautauqua has done in its development of the grounds and facilities, as well as in influencing the behavior and 2 choices of our community members.”
ABOUT CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit, 750-acre community on Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State where approximately 7,500 people are in residence on any day during a nine-week summer season. More than 100,000 attend scheduled public events each year and even more engage online via the streaming channel CHQ Assembly. Chautauqua is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program that explores the important religious, social and political issues of our times; stimulates provocative, thoughtful involvement of individuals and families in creative response to such issues; and promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts. The Institution celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2024.
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