FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington has finalized an ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, according to a recent announcement by UMF President Theodora J. Kalikow.

UMF’s Climate Action Plan, a detailed proposal to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease energy use and minimize energy costs for the university was developed in accordance with the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment.

To achieve these carbon emission goals, the University plans to adopt energy efficient behaviors and policies, build future campus structures according to U.S. Green Building Council LEED standards or their equivalent, and upgrade current facilities to be more energy efficient. They will pursue renewable energy sources and as a last resort purchase carbon offsets.

The plan builds on other successful green initiatives undertaken at UMF that currently provide significant cost and carbon savings.

The UMF campus uses approximately 20 percent fewer Btu per square foot than the national average of colleges of similar size in similar climates, according to information provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

“UMF has already made great strides in reducing energy use and carbon emissions,” said Robert Lamppa, UMF director of facilities management, “and is well positioned to meet the goal of becoming climate neutral.”

Some green initiatives already undertaken at UMF include:

• A decline of more than 5 percent in campus-wide energy consumption from heating, cooling and electricity between 2005 and 2010, despite an 11 percent increase in campus building space.

• A saving of about $60,000 and 325 metric tons of carbon emissions per year, compared to a similar existing campus building, once the UMF Education Center’s geothermal heating and cooling system cost is recouped in 2012.

• A savings of approximately $35,000 in heating and electricity costs and 120 metric tons of carbon emissions in student residence halls, over three months in 2008-09, by students who made small changes in their everyday behavior.

The University won the first Power Down for the Planet in 2009, a national challenge that encourages efficient computer use campus-wide, saving close to $17,000 and 63 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

“Being good environmental stewards at UMF has far-reaching benefits for us all,” Kalikow said. “Not only does it help to lower greenhouse gases, but it also aids in reducing UMF’s long-term energy costs.”

UMF’s Climate Action Plan was developed over two years through the work of the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition.

Formed in 2001, it is a collaboration of students, faculty, staff and community members that promotes environmental sustainability on campus and in the community.