AMC's Journey Towards Zero Emissions: Pioneering Climate Change Initiatives in the North Eastern Region
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Moves Towards Net Zero Emissions by 2050
The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has unveiled its Net Zero Strategic Plan, aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan is a tiered, transparent, and practical roadmap to cut emissions by at least 90% and offset the rest, with the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality.
The strategy is built around a carbon mitigation hierarchy that prioritizes eliminating and reducing emissions from transportation and buildings, investing in renewable energy, and offsetting any remaining, unavoidable emissions.
AMC has already made significant strides in implementing this strategy. Many of its lodges and huts use energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy sources like solar panels, powering their entire High Mountain Hut system. Solar energy supports essential functions such as cooking, hot water, and heating.
To further reduce emissions, the Climate and Conservation Fund, established by AMC, finances various projects. For instance, it funds building envelope upgrades at Pinkham Notch to decrease propane heating consumption, electrified fleet upgrades like the Ford Lightning, an all-electric model, replacing gas-powered trucks, and the installation of new EV charging stations at Mohican Outdoor Center and Noble View Outdoor Center.
The Fund also finances solar thermal hot water systems at Galehead Hut, eliminating nearly 3,000 kg of carbon emissions annually. Moreover, it supports solar panel enhancements at Madison Spring Hut, offsetting propane generator usage and increasing energy savings by 20%.
AMC's commitment to transparency is evident as it tracks and publicly reports its emissions progress, encouraging accountability from the community throughout its journey to net zero.
The organisation's efforts extend beyond its own operations. AMC helps other organisations balance their emissions through forest carbon offset projects in Maine, which are part of the Maine Woods Initiative, a recreation and land conservation project.
Supporters of AMC are helping to reimagine how outdoor recreation operates in a changing climate. As AMC approaches its 150th anniversary, it is setting a standard for sustainability in the Northeast.
[1] For more information, visit AMC's Net Zero Strategic Plan.
- The Appalachian Mountain Club's Net Zero Strategic Plan involves investing in renewable energy, such as solar, to power their facilities and essential functions.
- AMC's Climate and Conservation Fund finances various projects, including electrifying fleet vehicles, installing EV charging stations, and solar thermal hot water systems, to reduce carbon emissions.
- To achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, AMC prioritizes reducing and eliminating emissions from transportation and buildings, and offsetting any remaining emissions.
- AMC's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own operations, as it helps other organizations balance their emissions through forest carbon offset projects in Maine.
