CU Boulder Sports Joins U.N. Climate Change Commitment

BOULDER, CO — The University of Colorado Boulder officially committed to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework, becoming the first university in the United States to do so. The move includes the school's commitment to follow certain climate-friendly guidelines.

A release from the school says their athletic department signed on last year, joining other athletic organizations such as the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, FIFA, the New York Yankees, the NBA and others.

The U.N. Sports for Climate Action Framework challenges its committers to operate with two major goals in mind: "to achieve a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change and to leverage sports as a unifying tool to drive climate awareness and action among global citizens."

They've already started. CU Boulder is the first major college sports program to implement a zero-waste program in all gameday venues, the release says, including an 850-kilowatt rooftop solar array on the Indoor Practice Facility.

As a part of their commitment to the U.N. Sports for Climate Action Framework, CU Boulder and its athletic department will carry out five core principles. As obtained from the school, they are:

• Undertaking systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
• Reducing overall climate impact
• Educating for climate action
• Promoting sustainable and responsible consumption
• Advocating for climate action through communication

“We’re thrilled to be an early adopter of the U.N. Sports for Climate Action Framework,” the CU Athletic Director, Rick George, said in the release. “This is consistent with the leadership and excellence expected by CU Boulder students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans as we confront the critical issue of climate change.”

See the CU Boulder release here.