President Hogan Signs Pledge for Carbon-Neutral Campus – March 25, 2008

UConn President Mike Hogan signs the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment

as DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy and Vice Provost Greg Anderson observe.

100+ students, faculty and staffattend PCC signingceremony atWilbur Cross NorthReading Room

UConn’s Commitment…

1. Develop a Climate Action Plan for carbon neutrality by 2050 with interim targets & milestones (due by May 2010)

2. Create structure to guide development & implementation3. Complete GHG inventory and update annually4. Integrate sustainability into curriculum – education, research

and outreach5. Make progress reports and GHG inventories publicly

available

OUR WORLD, OUR PEOPLE, OUR FUTURE: THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT ACADEMIC PLAN 2008 - 2013

Immediate Steps To Reduce GHGs

Steps UConn has begun to take (at least 2 of 7 needed): 1. Establish LEED Silver building standard2. Adopt Energy Star appliance purchasing written policy3. Encourage and provide access to public transportation4. Participate in Recyclemania (waste minimization category) and

adopt 3 waste reduction measures

Other steps UConn could consider:1. UConn Foundation – support climate & sustainability shareholder

proposals at companies where endowment is invested2. Offset GHGs from air travel3. Buy/produce 15% of electricity from renewable resources

Climate Action Task Force

Environmental Policy Advisory Council

Proposed Institutional Structure

Criteria for Evaluating GHG Mitigation Strategies & Action Plans

1. Potential to avoid or reduce GHG emissions

2. Flexibility to achieve ongoing GHG reductions

3. Cost benefit – ROI and financial impact

4. Potential for positive or negative social and environmental side-effects

5. Relationship to other mitigation strategies and opportunity for synergies

6. Potential to be scaled upward if successful

7. Potential to involve students and faculty

Potential Workgroup Chairs• Energy Workgroup

• Energy efficiency retrofits & installations– Lighting, HVAC, computers, appliances, windows, bldg

envelope, fume hoods

• Utility infrastructure improvements– Cogen, T&D, steam, water, sewer, sub-metering

• Renewable energy use – wind, geothermal, solar (electric & thermal), fuel cells,

biofuels in boilers, chillers and generators

• Conservation – Outreach for behavioral change, temperature set points,

class/semester scheduling

Potential Workgroup Chairs (cont’d)• Transportation Workgroup

• Mass Transit / Carpooling / Air Travel– Incentives for mass transit and carpooling, air travel

policies and carbon offsets, increased shuttle bus use

• Alternative Fuels / Fuel Efficiency – Biodiesel, hybrids, electric plug-ins, hydrogen, smart

idling policy, stronger fuel-efficient vehicle purchasing standards

• Alternative Modes of Transportation – Campus bicycling plan (trail network, signage, striping),

storage racks, bike loaner program, pedestrian core

Potential Workgroup Chairs (cont’d)• Environmental Literacy Workgroup

• Academic Programs – Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

– New courses (majors/minors?), Focus The Nation “teach-in,” campus as “living laboratory” for sustainability research, lecture series, focused SURF grants, FYE

• Student Life Education & Outreach– EcoHusky events, EcoHouse Learning/Living Community,

EcoGarden club, orientation sessions, inter-dorm competitions (EcoMadness), green bag luncheons, speaker series, career panels, literacy / art contests

Potential Workgroup Chairs (cont’d)• Sustainable Development Workgroup

• Responsible Growth & Management– Forest and open space preservation, natural resource

protection, pedestrian community, low impact design features, rainwater harvesting, sustainable landscaping, Integrated Pest Management

• Green Building – Ensure conformity with UConn’s LEED Silver Policy

(focus on LEED Energy & Atmosphere credits)

Potential Workgroup Chairs (cont’d)• Recycling Workgroup

• Recycling– Containers, carts and infrastructure, janitorial training,

Athletics / event recycling, collection enhancements, education & outreach, ResLife Move-Out program, electronics & batteries, Sneaker Recycling

• Waste Reduction / Minimization – Composting and agricultural practices, food waste,

surplus store, green chemistry, expansion of Recyclemania

PCC / Climate Action Plan Format

� Campus Emissions – emissions trajectory under business as usual and under the plan; graph illustrating the contribution from each emission source

� Mitigation Strategies – sections describing how the institution will neutralize emissions from each source

� Educational, Research, Community Outreach Efforts – plans to make climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and educational experience for all students; should include subsections on education, research and community outreach

� Financing – how to fund mitigation strategies, action items � Tracking Progress – toward goals set out in the plan

Workgroups CATF / AdministrationDriven By

Funding Climate Action Plan Development & Implementation

• Determine Budgetary Needs– Ask workgroup chairs to assess– Research peer institutions

• Consider Options– Reinvest portion of energy cost savings (from

installations and retrofits) – revolving loan fund– Graduate/Research Assistantships; Honors Program

undergraduate internships– Budget allocations – Operating budget, Capital / DM,

Academic Plan– State and utility company financial incentives

PCC vs. P.A. 08-98

PCC• Applies only to Storrs

campus • Carbon neutrality by 2050• Interim targets and

milestones to be determined

• Baseline GHG inventory due by May 2009

• CAP due by May 2010• Education, research &

outreach goals and action plans required component

• Annual progress reports to AASHE

P.A. 08-98• Mandatory state targets

apply collectively to all agencies (and UConn campuses)

• 10% below 1990 GHG levels by 2020

• 80% below 2001 levels by 2050

• Baseline GHG inventory by Dec. 2009

• Recommended reduction strategies by July 2011

• Biennial agency progress reports to DEP & OPM