A recent report found that only 10 percent of Division I athletics programs have long-term plans for environmental sustainability and less than half claim sustainability as a high priority. The findings come just a few months after more than 620 college and universities presidents signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), which pledged to develop an institutional-wide action plan for becoming climate neutral.

The report, developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, surveyed 97 of the 119 FBS schools. According to the findings, less than 10 percent said their university is currently measuring or planning to measure the athletic department's greenhouse gas emissions, which is an important benchmark for measuring progress.

While it's encouraging to see that 80 percent of athletic departments have implemented "moderate" or "extensive" recycling initiatives, benchmarks seem to be missing here as well. Less than 5 percent claim they are measuring recycling rates and setting goals for improving these rates across the entire athletic department.

The report points to a lack of institutional buy-in and leadership. Only 33 percent of those schools surveyed claim that key decision makers have a "strongly positive" perception of implementing environmental initiatives.

News is even grimmer when compared to professional athletics organizations. According to the results, only 25 percent of college athletics programs have developed or are actively planning to develop a strategic sustainability plan, compared to 72 percent of professional teams. Moreover, 43 percent of universities say they are "slightly concerned" or "very concerned" that environmental programs will distract from the main goals of the organization, compared with 26 percent in the professional leagues.

In these tough economic times, athletics departments are turning their attention to keeping their programs afloat and perhaps sustainability is less of a priority. Still, college sports are often the most public face of the university. If schools are truly committed to creating a climate neutral environment, they must begin holding athletics departments accountable for their carbon footprint.

Does your athletics department have a plan for sustainability? Why do you think university athletics departments are reluctant to embrace environmental initiatives?