Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory &
Recommendations for Achieving Carbon
Neutrality
2010
Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Kate Hale Wilson
Faculty Support: Dr. Jim Boulter and Dr. Kim Pierson
Student Researchers: Carbon Neutral Team, 2010
Student Presenters: Jason Hansen, Laura Headrick, Steph Mabrey,& Andi Krunnfusz
ACUPCC
• Presidents Climate
Commitment
– Achieve climate
neutrality (date TBD)
– Initiate tangible
actions to reduce
greenhouse gas
emissions
– Publish the climate
action plan,
emissions inventory,
and periodic
progress reports
What is eCO2?
• Equivalent carbon dioxide emissions
• Standard measurement for global warming
potential
– Carbon Dioxide
– Methane
– Nitrous Oxide
– Halocarbons
– Sulfur Hexafluoride
2010 Total eCO2 Emissions
Heating
11%
35%
21%
Electricity
Transportation
33%
Solid Waste &
Chemicals
Total Emissions: 38,870 metric tons eCO2
o Transportation produces 8,247 MT eCO2
eCO2 Production by Sources
2008 & 2010 (MT)
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
-5,000
39,278 38,870
20,002
16,075
13,771
2008
12,707
8,247
5,380
2010
4,142
105
-2,284 0
Transportation Subgroups
• Directly Financed Outsourced Travel
– Includes all hired transportation, such as bus systems, rental car
travel, etc. Emissions calculated using data collected by Blackhawk
Express and UW-Eau Claire Direct Transportation Services.
• Direct Transportation
– Includes the university fleet (campus police vehicles, trucksters,
and university-owned vehicles), lawnmowers, and other
maintenance equipment. Emissions calculated using data
collected by UW-Eau Claire Direct Transportation Services.
• Commuting
– Emissions calculated using data collected via campus-wide survey.
Response rate: XX% student, XX% faculty, XX% staff
– Full survey available in 2010 Report (Appendix C)
Transportation Subgroups
• Directly Financed Air Travel
– Includes all University-refunded air travel. Emissions
calculated using data collected by UW-Eau Claire Accounts
Payable.
• Study Abroad Travel
– Emissions calculated for to- and from- study abroad
destination only. Emissions calculated using campus-wide
survey data.
• Non-reimbursed University-related Travel
– Includes any personal travel (such as travel for student
teaching, conferences, etc.) relating to University business.
Emissions calculated using campus-wide survey data.
Transportation Data
Subgroups of Transportation
eCO2 Emitted (Metric Tons)
Directly Financed Outsourced Travel
60
Direct Transportation
324
Commuting
741
Directly Financed Air Travel
1,198
Study Abroad
1,771
Non-reimbursed University-related Travel
4,154
Total Transportation Emissions
8,247
Transportation Emissions
1%
Directly Financed
Outsourced Travel
4%
9%
Direct Transportation
15%
50%
Commuting
Directly Financed Air
Travel
Study Abroad
21%
Non-reimbursed
University-related Travel
Total Transportation Emissions: 8,247 Metric Tons eCO2
Transportation Recommendations
• Keep Detailed and Efficient Records
• Promote Alternative Modes of Transportation
– Bike
– Bus
– Carpool
– Rideshare
• Purchase Carbon Credits to Offset Study Abroad
Emissions
Keep Detailed and Efficient Records
While compiling the 2010 GHG Emissions Inventory, it was
sometimes difficult to find detailed records. We recommend that
the University implement a structured record-keeping system that
divides data into common subgroups. For example, travel costs,
currently reported as single whole-dollar amounts, should be
identified by the constituent parts: transportation, food, lodging,
etc. By separating data into categories, more accurate research
about the University’s carbon footprint can be readily compiled.
Promote Alternative Modes of Transportation
•
Bike
Limiting personal motor vehicle use is one of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to reduce UW-Eau Claire’s
carbon footprint. If the University reduced emissions from personal motor vehicle commuting by one-third, nearly
250 MT of eCO2, 0.6% of the total carbon footprint, could be eliminated. Construction activities related to the new
University Student Center have reduced parking availability on campus, compelling the campus community to
examine alternative transportation modes. It is vital that the administration support the development of these
alternatives. In the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the University’s Environmental Adventure Center added 15 new bicycles
to its bike rental program. The University should not just promote but also support a more bike-friendly
atmosphere by providing more bike racks, covered bike racks, changing facilities, and better outdoor lighting. The
Clean Commute Initiative, established in 2007 by UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff, seeks to increase the number of
people who pledge to commute to campus by healthy and environmentally friendly means, such as biking and
walking. The 2008 report recommended including students in this Initiative, and that recommendation still stands.
•
Bus
Additionally, the University should always encourage use of the Eau Claire city bus system. We recommend that a
relevant and user-friendly bus information board be incorporated in the new University Student Center, and that a
covered bus stop and information center be included in new academic buildings.
Promote Alternative Modes of Transportation
•
Carpool
For those students, faculty, and staff who need to drive a personal vehicle to campus due to distance or weather-
related reasons, carpooling should be encouraged as a more environmentally friendly option. Because carpooling
can be a minor inconvenience, it is imperative that substantial incentives be offered to increase carpooling
participation. In Fall 2010, the University will designate Preferred Parking spaces for those vehicles that have a
university-issued carpool-parking permit. To help drivers to find carpool passengers, an online system should be
implemented that allows university members to search for others in their area who are interested in carpooling.
•
Rideshare
The University Housing Office is in the process of updating the online ride share board, which was first
implemented around 2002. Another resource is the actual ride board, currently located in W.R. Davies University
Center, which helps students find rides to various Wisconsin and Minnesota cities. Students are able to
communicate where they want to travel, and whether they are looking for additional passengers or a driver going
in the same direction. However, many students are unaware of these options. We recommend that the
information be entered into the University-provided agenda planner. In addition, the ride share option should be
advertised to those students in residence halls who may not have a personal vehicle or who may be traveling
home more often. Furthermore, the ride share board should be updated regularly. The University may consider
cooperating with the computer science department to incorporate upkeep into a capstone or class requirement.
Purchase Carbon Credits to Offset
Study Abroad Emissions
In keeping with the end goal of creating a more sustainable campus, we suggest that the University should not
purchase carbon credits to offset emissions that they are able to reduce through behavioral shifts and campus
improvements; however, carbon credits could be purchased to offset emissions that the University is unable or
unwilling to reduce. For example, UW-Eau Claire prides itself on high participation rates in its study abroad
program. Because the University continues to encourage and increase this program, these emissions will not be
reduced. In this case, we recommend that the University purchase 13 carbon credits each year to offset these
emissions. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, 1,771 MT eCO2 were emitted by study abroad travel. If the University
purchased carbon credits at $107 per MT of eCO2, the total cost for offsetting study abroad travel would be
$17,710. Students at UW-Eau Claire voted in 2009 to establish a $10 per semester per student “green fund,”
included as a segregated fee on tuition bills; the Environmental Endeavors Commission (EEC) manages this fund.
Totaling about $220,000 per academic year, the fund is intended to finance sustainability projects on campus. We
recommend that funding be obtained to purchase these offsets from organizations such as the EEC or the
University Foundation.
Additional Information
• For more detailed information, please view
the 2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Report & Recommendations for Achieving
Carbon Neutrality in full at:
http://www.uwec.edu/Sustainability/plans/index.htm