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Chevy Earns EPA Climate Leadership Award

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EPA Climate Leadership Awards

The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Chevy’s Clean Energy Campus Campaign

The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Chevrolet with a Climate Leadership Award, in recognition of the automaker’s initiative to help American colleges reduce their carbon footprint.

The Chevrolet Clean Energy Campus Campaign is part of the carmaker’s voluntary goal of reducing 8 million metric tons of carbon emissions, which is roughly equivalent to the carbon reduction created by a Yellowstone-sized mature forest. So far, eleven universities have sold their carbon credits to Chevrolet as part of the campaign, with the money being invested back into clean energy technologies.

And rather than use the purchased credits to offset Chevy’s own vehicle and manufacturing emissions, the bowtie brand is retiring the credits for the benefit of the environment.

“To make a significant impact in reducing the effects of climate change, we need to work together,” said Greg Martin, GM’s executive director of sustainability. “The Clean Energy Campus Campaign is just one example of how a mix of different perspectives and talents can lead to new pathways to greater carbon reductions.”

Portland State carbon credits

Portland State University was one of the campuses that participated in the campaign 
Photo by Rosa Say, licensed under CC

The EPA Climate Leadership Award honors organizations that work collaboratively on cutting-edge climate initiatives. The fourth annual national awards program is a partnership between the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, The Climate Registry, the Association of Climate Change Officers, and the EPA.

“I am proud to recognize the Chevrolet Clean Energy Campus Campaign and all of our Climate Leadership Award winners for their actions to reduce the harmful carbon pollution that’s fueling climate change,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a statement. “Our winners are providing the leadership, commitment, and solutions needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet the challenge of a changing climate head on.”

The 11 colleges that have participated in the Chevrolet Clean Energy Campus Campaign thus far include Ball State UniversityValencia CollegePortland State UniversitySpelman CollegeUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoUniversity of Wisconsin – Stevens PointBoston UniversityRochester Institute of Technology,University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignGrand Valley State University, and Southern Oregon University.

These campuses have joined forces with Chevy to show their commitment to reducing climate change. Join the conversation with students, university, and climate leaders online by using the hashtag #CleanEnergyU when discussing the importance of clean energy.