| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.90 |
| Liaison | Deborah Steinberg |
| Submission Date | Dec. 6, 2021 |
Carnegie Mellon University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Timothy
McNulty Avp-Government Relations Government Relations |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
Carnegie Mellon's Office of Government Relations acts as an advocate for the university on the federal, state and local levels. This includes monitoring legislation, working with legislators and their staff to influence public policy and helping to increase awareness of the university's research and educational programs. The office serves as the principal liaison and point of contact between the university and all levels of government. A few examples of their and others' work are highlighted in the following responses.
The City of Pittsburgh, with the support and guidance of Carnegie Mellon University staff representing the Provost’s Office, recently committed to aligning to the SDGs and underwent their first Voluntary Local Review in 2020 as the first step in a continuous cycle of improvement to create a culture of measurement and accountability within city government.
In collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, The Brookings Institution, and the Metro 21 Smart Cities Institute convened a public panel to highlight the value proposition for cities and communities aligning their policies and programs with the Sustainable Development Goals.
A forum during the 74th United Nations General Assembly featured co-presents, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, James H. Garrett, provost and chief academic officer of Carnegie Mellon University, and leaders of other Pittsburgh institutions. Speakers discussed regional accomplishments and collaborations to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a more peaceful, prosperous planet with just and inclusive societies.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
CMU's Scott Institute hosted a panel in November 2020 titled Driving Solar in Pennsylvania – Looking forward to 2021, bringing together state leaders to discuss how policies, both at the state and federal level, have impacted solar implementation in the state.
CMU hosted a bipartisan event to unveil new autonomous vehicle legislation. Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr., chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and Yassmin Gramian, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, unveiled legislation authorizing the testing and commercial deployment of highly automated vehicles at Carnegie Mellon University's Mill 19 facility at Hazelwood Green in Pittsburgh. CMU President, Farnam Jahanian, provided opening remarks for the event.
Traffic21, a transportation research institute of Carnegie Mellon University, developed a Parking Management Plan for the Port Authority of Allegheny County, which was presented to the Director of Planning and Service Development at the Port Authority.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
CMU hosted U.S. President Joe Biden at their Mill 19 facility at Hazelwood Green. As communicated by the White House, the purpose of the President’s visit was to deliver a national address on “strengthening the nation’s supply chains, revitalizing American manufacturing, creating good-paying union jobs, and building a better America, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
Carnegie Mellon was a key partner in the Roosevelt Project, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to examine the transitional policy challenges associated with progress toward a deeply decarbonized U.S. economy.
In response to the 2020 guidelines that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency issued regarding International Students remaining in the U.S., CMU is signing a joint letter together with higher education institutions across the nation sponsored by the American Council on Education (ACE). This letter was sent to the Department of Homeland Security to strongly urge the department to withdraw the guidance.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
CMU Hosts U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Meeting at Hazelwood Green
In September 2021, Carnegie Mellon University played host to the inaugural United States-European Union Trade and Technology Council Meeting at CMU's Mill 19 facility at Hazelwood Green in Pittsburgh. The selection of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon as the host was intentional, as the city continues to gain momentum as a hub for technology and cutting-edge industry, and CMU thought leaders are contributing to all topics of discussion at the meeting.
"This ecosystem reflects what Carnegie Mellon does best," said Carnegie Mellon Provost James H. Garrett Jr. "Our faculty and students excel at innovating and creating — making things in a whole new way. Our commitment to furthering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including creating an economic future that works for everyone, is at the core of our everything we do at Hazelwood Green."
U.S. officials in attendance included Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Attending EU officials included EU Commissioner & Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, EU Commissioner & Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, and EU Ambassador to the United States Stavros Lambrinidis. CMU Provost Jim Garrett attended the opening session and CMU Special Advisor to President Farnam Jahanian, J. Michael McQuade, participated in a panel related to workforce development.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/29/u-s-eu-trade-and-technology-council-inaugural-joint-statement/
CMU Co-Chairs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
CMU's Jim Skea represents CMU on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and serves at the Panel Co-Chair. The IPCC’s 2018 report advocates immediate action to address the 2.7˚F atmospheric warming anticipated if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise at their current pace above preindustrial levels by 2040. Read more at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/07/climate/ipcc-climate-report-2040.html?module=inline
Official University Delegates Participate in Conference of the Parties
In December 2018, CMU delegate Michael Whiston presented his research on energy storage and participated on a panel with energy experts at the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) in Katowice, Poland. Bringing together over 18,000 participants, COP24 aimed to adopt rules for implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change. Delegates from nearly 200 countries and the European Union met to negotiate the implementation package. Whiston is one of multiple delegates who have represented CMU at this international conference over the years.
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.