FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This webpage will be updated as questions are submitted from questionnaire respondents. If you have a question that is not answered below, please contact the Duke project managers (dukeproject@ACCOonline.org) or ACCO Executive Director Daniel Kreeger (dkreeger@ACCOonline.org; 202-496-7390).  The project managers will respond to your inquiry directly by email or telephone.

What is the goal of the project managers/ACCO in conducting this research project?

The Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) is a professional development organization for officers/senior executives across sectors who are accountable for addressing the business, economic, operational and environmental implications of climate change.  With thousands of organizations across North America in industry, government, academia and the non-profit community have made climate-related commitments, the Duke project managers and ACCO hope to learn more about organizational structures being stood up and executives being tasked to respond to climate related challenges and opportunities.

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What is the deadline for questionnaire responses to be submitted?

All questionnaire responses should be submitted by COB on Friday, December 17, 2010.

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When will the research project's findings be published?

ACCO will provide an advance copy of the publication to survey respondents in April 2011.  Additionally, ACCO will host an event in April 2011 in which the findings will be discussed and case studies presented.  Additional information on the published report and corresponding event will be provided to respondents by January 2011.

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How can I access the research project report?

ACCO will distribute the report to survey respondents by e-mail in PDF format.  Additionally, a summary of the report will be published on the ACCO web site.

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Do I need to complete the questionnaire in one session, or can I save my progress and return to it at a later point in time?

As long you are using the same computer, the survey system should recognize that a survey has been started on your computer and you can resume where you left off. If you need to collaborate with other colleagues at your institution before being able to complete the survey, it may be best to save your responses in a separate document and copy and paste the information into the survey when you are ready just to be sure nothing is lost.  A PDF of the survey can be downloaded by clicking here (though please note that responses can only be submitted using the tool designated).

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Is there a document that can be used to store draft versions of questionnaire responses?

A Microsoft Word version of the questionnaire, including answer categories and multiple choice options, is available by clicking here.

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Why would an institution want to be excluded or included in the research project reports?

Some institutions may prefer to participate in the research project without being identified in any reports or findings.  The project managers and ACCO have set up the project to protect the interests of those institutions while ensuring that they can participate and provide information that will help the project managers with their research efforts.

Alternatively, institutions who would like to be recognized for their efforts in responding to climate change are more likely to remain "included" in the survey.  For those institutions, the project managers will identify examples that should be cited or case studies that should be conducted as part of this effort and will include those instances in the final report.

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Why are the project managers requiring a point of contact for the questionnaire response?

The nature of this research project and questionnaire may dictate a need to clarify responses that are submitted.  Additionally (and in particular for institutions that have opted to answer the questionnaire publicly), because findings will be reported and published in the media, the project managers and ACCO need to ensure accuracy of all submissions.

Please note that for organizations that have opted "out" (meaning that they are responding privately or confidentially), your institutions will not be cited or identified in publications.  Additionally, only the responses to questions that are "quantifiable" and can be aggregated will be used for public reports.

No individuals will be cited by name in any published reports.  Additionally, the point of contact's information will only be used by the project managers and ACCO to conduct follow-up related to this research project (or future research on climate governance).

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What types of affiliations should be referenced?

Some higher education institutions are participating in the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) or are members of sustainability related organizations.  These organizations should include participating in groups such as The Climate Registry, AASHE, United States Green Building Council, etc.

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I am not sure which individual or group to select. My institution has multiple individuals and committees who each have responsibilities.

The project managers are operating under the assumption , all individuals and groups who are involved in climate change ultimately report to a single individual, committee or "function" tasked with overseeing the institution's response to climate change (and usually would control budgeting for related programs).

Example: If a Sustainability Director is responsible for the Climate Action Plan, a Campus Sustainability Committee is charged with developing and implementing the plan, the institution's Board of Trustees evaluates and approves budgets, and an Executive Vice President (who is the supervisor for the Sustainability Director) directly oversees the institution’s response on climate change and sustainability, then in this case, the Executive Vice President is the correct answer and "a single individual" should be selected. Although some responsibilities are shared, ultimately the Executive Vice President (in this scenario) is the person who is accountable for climate response and is the highest "ranking" official at the institution directly overseeing climate response.

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