The University of Massachusetts Amherst announced last week a goal of reaching 100 percent renewable power on its campus by 2032, a projected $500 million investment.

UMass has thrown down the gauntlet to the other state universities in New England. Its plan, which will be funded by donations and state and federal grants, should inspire other universities like the University of Connecticut to take a hard look at their own sustainability goals.

UMass, with its mixture of high rises and old brick buildings, faces challenges typical of New England's state universities. Its new, accelerated plan, as reported by the Boston Globe last week, includes converting heating to geothermal power and electricity to purchased renewable energy and solar power generated on campus with battery storage.

If UMass can generate 100 percent renewable energy in 10 years, why can't UConn, as well as the universities of Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont?

UConn's sustainability plan calls for a carbon neutral campus in Storrs by 2050. Within that plan is the goal of purchasing offsite power from only renewable sources, which was achieved in 2020. The university hasn't yet reached its goal for on-campus renewable energy.

This is not to say that UConn has been ignoring the need to use renewable power and reduce its release of greenhouse gases. Through a series of demonstration projects, the university has been studying the feasibility of geothermal, wind, solar, and biofuel energy. A 400 kW solar array is being constructed atop the new Science I building this year.

The university also was able to meet the goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 20 percent in 2020. In fact, UConn is on track to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade earlier than predicted.

The university already has an expedited timetable for overall carbon neutrality. Could UConn follow the Massachusetts example and fast-track its renewable energy goals within the next decade?

Students clearly think so. UMass cited student pressure as a key factor in its push to do more sooner.

In 2019, more than 1,000 UConn students marched on campus demanding more action on climate change, part of a Student Climate Strike led worldwide by activist Greta Thunberg.

Besides student activism, universities should consider their role in shaping public policy. They are training the climate scientists of tomorrow, as well as elected officials, communications leaders and educators – not to mention future parents. As such, they should lead by example and push other, more reluctant adapters in business and industry to follow suit.

UConn already has made a serious commitment to building a more sustainable, carbon-neutral campus.