Headmaster Dougherty signing the Green Schools Alliance Climate Steward Pledge

On October 9, 2008 Headmaster David Dougherty signed The Green Schools Climate Commitment, taking the pledge to reduce The Hill School’s carbon footprint. With this action, The Hill School has committed to be a "Climate Steward," thus taking actions to calculate the School’s carbon footprint by establishing an energy and carbon emissions baseline.

Below is the seven-step process that will take place over the coming months, to help us achieve our goal of carbon reductions: 

1. Commit my school to reduce its carbon footprint at one of the following Levels of Commitment:
   *Climate Champion: Reduce my school’s carbon footprint by at least 30% within 5 years, and achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2020.
   *Climate Steward: Calculate my school’s carbon footprint by establishing an energy and carbon emissions baseline. Achieve carbon reductions over time.
   
2. Create a school sustainability task force to guide the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Action Plan to reduce our school’s carbon emissions according to our level of commitment.
    
3. Establish a carbon emissions baseline by conducting a benchmark and energy audit for the last calendar year, and report our progress on an annual basis.
    
4. Initiate two or more tangible actions to begin reducing carbon emissions and to demonstrate strong commitment to our school community.
    
5. Complete a Comprehensive Action Plan to reduce our school’s carbon emissions according to our Level of Commitment including:
   *Interim targets for actions that will lead to carbon reduction according to my commitment
   *Mechanisms for tracking progress
   
6. Educate the school community and key stakeholders about the importance of climate change, energy conservation and sustainability, and integrate activities and lessons into existing curriculum.
    
7. Monitor and report progress toward meeting my school’s Climate Commitment on an on-going annual basis to the GSA database. 

Many schools across the country have taken the pledge to become active participants in global efforts to conserve energy and natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and educate our future leaders. The Hill School is excited about moving forward with this commitment and our other on-going sustainability efforts to help lead the way in preserving our planet so future generations can thrive. Please click here to read more about The Green Schools Alliance and to see the other schools across the country who have made this commitment.