External Collaboration at the University of Michigan: A Report Developed for and Supported by the U-M President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality

This report was compiled during the academic year of 2019-2020 for the University of Michigan (U-M) President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality by the External Collaboration Internal Analysis Team. Through its work, the External Collaboration team evaluated opportunities for collaborations focused on scaling and replicating high-impact solutions, with a focus on local and regional partnerships, collaborative education initiatives, and mitigation and resilience policy. Four key priorities guided the team’s work: 1) To bring the proper skills, knowledge and support into the carbon neutrality effort to assure success; 2) To ensure an inclusive process that allows impacted and vulnerable communities to be aware of this effort and have a voice in its implementation; 3) To flesh out collaboration opportunities and identify potential obstacles which can be overcome; and 4) To create an environment in which all relevant stakeholder concerns and objections are addressed and accounted for throughout the project.

The report details expanded organizational capacity needed to complete the recommended external engagement, and recommendations for targeted network mapping, tailored communication strategies, and expanded opportunities for external input.

This publication is a result of work sponsored by the U-M President’s Commission on Carbon Neutrality to inform the PCCN’s final recommendations to U-M President Mark Schlissel. This publication does not reflect Commission-level recommendations and should not be interpreted as being recommendations of the PCCN nor carrying its endorsement.