PROGRESS TO NEUTRALITY: FRAMEWORK
ADAPTATION OF A CFC DESIGNED FOR
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY POPULATION &
LESSONS FROM A PANAMANIAN CASE STUDY
ON CF
By Kimberly Melendez
F. Colwell, Ph.D.1, R. Gonzalez, MIDP2 Oregon State
University, Corvallis, Oregon 973311 and School for
International Learning, Panama2
ROAD MAP
General Introduction
Background:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Greenhouse gas effect
Climate change & The concept of sustainability
What is a Calculator?
How Carbon foot-printing may affect future neutrality goals
OSU consumption
Renewable Energy & Non-renewable Energy
Two objectives
1st Objective
Methods
•
Selecting a carbon footprint calculator
Results
•
My Framework
2nd Objective
•
•
•
•
•
Question of Interest
Methods and Methodology
Carbon Footprint
Calculations
Results
Discussion
•
•
Conclusions from Panama Case Study
OSU CFC Framework Conclusions: Now & future
CLIMATE CHANGE

Due to human activities, greenhouse
gases have increased beyond expected
pre-industrialized expectation.(Solomon, 2007).
Preindustrial Values: 270 ppmv
 Today: 390 ppmv


It is estimated that by 2050, there will
be a 70% increase in oil demand and a
rise of 130% in CO2 emissions (IEA, 2008).
CLIMATE CHANGE


The temperatures of the Earth have warmed about 0.7
degrees Celsius in the last hundred years.
Consensus: Through 'International Journal of Public
Opinion' published by Oxford University Press: 97% of
the 489 surveyed said that scientists agreed that
global temperatures have increased in the last century
and more than 84% agree that the “human induced
greenhouse warming” is now occurring.
SUSTAINABILITY: IMPORTANT CONCEPT

Throughout the world:
Increasing energy
consumption
 Increasing population sizes
 Environmental issues of
depletion


Source: meltingcoal.org, 2013
At the rate we consume one
cannot simply ignore the
present issues of climate
change and it’s importance
to our society.
What is a Carbon Footprint
Calculator?

A measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide
(CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions of a defined
population, system or activity, considering all
relevant sources, sinks and storage within the
spatial and temporal boundary of the population,
system or activity of interest. Calculated as carbon
dioxide equivalent (CO2e). (Wright, L.; Kemp, S., Williams, I. 2011).
FUTURE NEUTRALITY GOALS
 Oregon
State University is one of many
universities and college campuses hoping to
decrease the release of greenhouse gases. Through
a campus wide initiative OSU aims for a carbon
neutral campus by 2025.
 Carbon
Neutrality: “Pertaining to or having
achieved a state in which the net amount of carbon
dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into
the atmosphere is reduced to zero because it is
balanced by actions to reduce or offset these
emissions.” (dictionary.com, 2013)
124, 906 ECO2 :OSU’S FISCAL YEAR 2012
NET EMISSIONS FOR OSU EQUAL TO…
Reser
Stadium:
73 m
Two objectives

1st objective: Establish a framework for the
adaptation of a carbon footprint calculator to
help gauge progress of OSU to its goal of campus
neutrality by 2025.


The proposed framework will analyze the carbon footprint
calculator methodology and calculations as well as support
background information to available local carbon neutral
projects in the surrounding areas .
2nd objective: Analyze carbon footprint data
collected in Panama as a point of comparison for
carbon consumption.

In an effort to understand the sustainable practices of
Cerro Punta a survey was created to ascertain the carbon
footprint of the inhabitants and the effects a small
community may have towards their own goals of neutrality.
Objective 1:
Establishing A
Framework
1ST OBJECTIVE: METHODOLOGY
Collected information from various sources, including websites, reports, and
peer-reviewed literature.


Comparison of carbon footprint calculators;
selecting carbon footprint calculator to adapt
1ST OBJECTIVE: RESULTS

Carbon Footprint Calculator Comparisons
Travel
PDX-ANC
Offset
------------
CO2/year (Metric
Tons)
2.2
Nature
Conservancy
Terapass
3,076
0.54
$11.90
Carbon Fund
3,096
0.52
$5.73
Conservation
International
2500-5000
3.1
$37.00
------------
0.49
Options to offset:
$5.81- clean energy
$7.35-Emission
Reduct.
$14.24Reforestation
$18.99- UK tree
planting
Carbon Calculator,
Ltd.
$30
Table 2. Comparison of results obtained using different carbon footprint calculators to assess
the carbon released as a result of a PDX-ANC round trip flight.
RESULTS FOR CARBON FOOTPRINT
CALCULATOR COMPARISONS


Differences between calculators, may be because of
possible ‘assumptions’ upon which organizations base
their calculations.
Many boast most accurate but each end result
different.

The best way to determine accuracy would be to evaluate
their methodology and calculation process. However, this is
not available for many calculators.

Carbon footprint calculators lack consistency as well as
information of their estimations and methods (padgett, 2008).
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY CARBON
CALCULATOR



Through my research I chose Santa Clara University Carbon
Footprint Calculator to adapt. I’ve found that every calculator has
their own quirks that range from advantageous or in a small way
still in need of improvement.
I’ve found that calculator accuracy usually depend on the
interpretation of each organization, the creative process in which
they’ve obtained their calculations, and sources upon which
they’ve based their calculations.
Santa Clara University Carbon footprint calculator shows a step
by step process on their creation of their carbon footprint
calculator which includes calculations and methodology.
FRAMEWORK
On Campus
 Off Campus or Full-time Commuter Student
 Part time Commuter Student/Faculty and Staff


Subsections will include:
OSU Neutrality goal
 Introduction to the OSU carbon footprint calculator
 Transportation
 Energy usage: Items (e.g. fridge, microwave, laptop, etc)



# of items, set wattage, usage: hrs in day plugged in
Waste

Amount of waste recycle: below average, average, above average
Consumption: Hard covered books/soft covered books, new articles
of clothing per month, # nonrefillable plastic bottles, smart phone
or mobile, ipad/kindle/eReader/ipod, length of time in years of
current ipod/eReader.
 Your results

EXAMPLE SUBSECTION/CALCULATIONS
Transportation:
Categorize
small,
average,
SUV/truck:
Terrapass
categorizations. This way the user did not have to research their exact fuel
efficiency. The user only had to approximate the number of miles driven in a
given month.
Question: Do you long-board,
skateboard, or bike to class?
Radio buttons: option for yes and
option for no
Question: Do you own a car?
Drop down menu with following
options: small, average,
SUV/truck, hybrid
Help link that expands when
rollover with mouse that gives
the following info:
Automobile Distances:
Oregon State University:
to Portland___85.8 mi
Hillsboro______________99.0 mi
Question: Approximately how
many miles do you drive/month? Kalamath Falls_________217 mi
Input element: allow user to input Bend________________129 mi
Hermiston_____________269 mi
Albany_______________11.6 mi
Eugene______________48.4 mi
CALCULATIONS: CONVERSION FOR CAR TRAVEL
EXAMPLE
SMALL:
 x miles x
month

x miles
month
0.32990 kg CO2e x 1 month x 33 weeks
= kg CO2e
mile
4 weeks
1 school yr
school yr
x 0.32990 kg CO2e x 1 month x 1 week
mile
4 weeks
7 days
= kg CO2e
day
PLANNING STRUCTURE: 1st step
Identify
• Carbon footprint calculator to adapt to OSU.
• student/faculty volunteers for adaptation phase/web assistance.
• local carbon neutral programs/projects for options to offset carbon.
FIGURE 2. CARBON FOOTPRINT OFFSET INITIATIVE PLANNING STRUCTURE.
"Globally, 72% of greenhouse gas emissions are
related to household consumption, Government
consumption is 10%, and 18% from investments
(Hertwich and Peters, 2009).”

Question of Interest: What is the carbon
footprint associated with the household
consumption of the residents of Guadalupe?
Objective 2:
Analyzing carbon
footprint data
collected in Panama
as a point of
comparison for
carbon consumption
2ND OBJECTIVE: METHODS AND
METHODOLOGY
Measure
carbon footprint of the residents of
Guadalupe.
75
people of 1500 residents: 5 % Guadalupe
population
Carbon Footprint
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
Calculations
CALCULATIONS
Using an electricity bill from homestay family
calculate Kilowatts. Below is an example of the
calculation.
• October consumption was 135Kwh, the cost
$17.55
•
$17.55/135Kwh= $0.13/Kwh
•
Using number can convert money to energy.
Example if cost was $15:
$15/($0.13/Kwh)=115.38 Kwh
Secondar
y
Footprint
Secondary
CarFootprint
Metric Tons of CO2 per person
per year
RESULTS
CO2 Emissions in Metric Tons
25
20.40
20
15
11.00
10
5
1.78
2.00
3.71
4.00
0
Averages Consumption for Carbon
Footprint
SIGNIFICANCE
Carbon Footprint Percent Analysis for
Guadalupe Residents in Metric Tons Per
Person Per Year
33%
Below 1.78 MT per person per
yr for residents in Panama
Above 1.78 MT Panama
average but meet worldwide
target to combat climate
change of 2 MT pp/py
4%
58%
5%
Above worldwide target to
combat climate change but
below worldwide 4MT pp/py
average
Above worldwide average but
below Industrial nations
consumption of 11 MT pp/py
CONCLUSION FROM PANAMA CASE STUDY
Although
regular emissions for the residents of
panama are 1.78 metric tons Guadalupe residents are
double this estimate. Even though, Panama doesn’t
pass the 2 metric tons for the average worldwide
resident the results for Guadalupe are average
compared to the worldwide average rate.
OSU:
5.20 eCO2 per resident per year
CFC CONCLUSION


A Carbon footprint calculator framework will allow a
stepping stone for a future carbon footprint calculator
for OSU and it will not only enhance educational
experiences, but also community engagement through
an interactive web console.
Benefit OSU community
One
step towards achieving carbon neutrality is
helping to acquaint students with the concept of a
carbon footprint. Which a carbon footprint calculator
will be able to do.
Becoming
aware of your carbon consumption at OSU
may lead to a larger awareness on bigger scale.
OSU CFC FRAMEWORK: NOW AND
FUTURE
•
OSU Carbon Footprint Framework
•
Carbon Offsets; local carbon projects in Corvallis, Oregon
PLANNING STRUCTURE
Identify
Adapt
• Carbon footprint calculator to adapt to OSU.
• student/faculty volunteers for adaptation phase/web assistance.
• local carbon neutral programs/projects for options to offset carbon.
• Santa Clara University Carbon Footprint Calculator using OSU
energy consumption data, specific to Oregon/OSU.
• Construct official calculator for implementation phase.
• Finalize final carbon footprint calculator project framework for
future possibilities.
• If possible activate final carbon footprint calculator. Including
Implement
history, climate change, affiliations, and ways to become more
involved descriptors.
Future
• Activate final carbon footprint calculator with offsetting options for
programs faculty, students , and residents.
• Identify review board for allocation of funds, promotion of calculator
for students and faculty, and future work pertaining project.
• Future possibilities...
FIGURE 2. CARBON FOOTPRINT OFFSET INITIATIVE PLANNING STRUCTURE.
Preguntas
Renewable Energy & Non-renewable
Energy
Renewable Energy


Renewable energy - energy
that is renewed through
natural resources like, rain,
wind, tides, sunlight, waves.
Solar energy, motor fuels
through renewable bio-fuels,
and hydro-power – Largest
contributors to renewable
energy.
RENEWABLE ENERGY & NON-RENEWABLE
ENERGY
Nonrenewable

resources (resources that
are not easily renewable)
are continued to be the
main source of energy
throughout the world.
 Petroleum
 Coal
 Natural Gas (Fossil
Fuels)
 Uranium
 Propane
Table 1 U.S. Energy consumption by source 2006 (source: Copus,
2009)