Florida Gulf Coast University: Meeting Requirements of the American
College and University Presidents Climate Commitment
December 2009
Executive Summary
Beginning with the initial University mission statement in 1991, an element of the core mission of
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has been to practice and promote environmental sustainability.
In February of 2007, FGCU Interim President Richard Pegnetter signed the American College &
University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) as a Charter Signatory on behalf of FGCU. By
signing the ACUPCC, the University committed itself to working towards climate neutrality.
This plan describes the University’s current emissions, and anticipated future emissions trajectories,
mitigation strategies, educational efforts, financing, and a description of how we will measure progress
towards our goals.
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Florida Gulf Coast University: Meeting Requirements of the American
College and University Presidents Climate Commitment
Introduction
Beginning with the initial University mission statement in 1991, an element of the core mission of
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has been to practice and promote environmental sustainability.
When the University opened its doors in 1997, environmental sustainability was evident in the energy
efficient design of the facilities, progressive design features for on-site water management, and an
academic curriculum that included class work on environmental sustainability for all students.
Reflecting the focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability during the construction of the
University campus, the National Wildlife Federation identified FGCU in 2001 as a national leading school
in developing an environmentally sustainable campus. FGCU earned the honor for both Energy Efficiency
and Conservation, and Land and Ground Management.
In February of 2007, FGCU Interim President Richard Pegnetter signed the American College &
University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) as a Charter Signatory on behalf of FGCU. By
signing this, the University obligated itself to three commitments:
1. Take at least two immediate actions to reduce our carbon footprint.
2. Complete biennial inventories of our green house gas emissions.
3. Adopt an action plan for achieving climate neutrality.
To meet the initial requirement for immediate actions to reduce our carbon footprint, the University
established a policy to build new campus construction to the LEED Silver standard, adopted an appliance
purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products where such ratings exist, and
took steps to encourage the use of public and shared transportation. Academic 7, our first building
designed to LEED standards, opens in January 2010 and is expected to meet the LEED Gold standard.
In September of 2008, Environmental Health and Safety completed the University’s first biennial
greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory in fulfillment of the second major requirement under the
ACUPCC.
The third major commitment under the ACUPCC is this action plan for becoming climate neutral. This
plan describes the University’s current emissions, and anticipated future emissions trajectories,
mitigation strategies, educational efforts, financing, and a description of how we will measure progress
towards our goals.
Campus Emissions
The 2008 GHG emissions report (attached as Appendix A) identified 29,691 metric tons of GHG emitted.
Approximately two thirds of this GHG emission was from purchased electricity, with the remaining third
from transportation sources. Propane use on campus resulted in an insignificant amount of GHG
emissions.
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Emissions due to trash disposal were not included due to difficulties unique to Lee County in
measuringing trash disposal. Trash disposal emissions are not required under the ACUPCC, but would
benefit us since we would receive some credit for the electricity produced by the incineration of the
trash versus methane gas production from trash in a traditional landfill.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Sources
Transportation includes air
travel, shuttles and other fleet
vehicles, and commuting by
students and staff.
Propane <0.1%
Transportation
36%
Purchased
Electricity
64%
The GHG emission rate in the 2008 report was 5.16 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
greenhouse gas per full time enrollment (FTE), or 14.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent gas per
1,000 square feet of building space. The CO2e measurement accounts for emissions of all the various
green house gasses (methane, nitrous oxide, etc) as an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.
The chart below projects the estimated trajectory of GHG emissions over the next 10 years prepared
using the average FTE increases over the last five academic years, the 2008 GHG generation rate of 5.16
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent gas per FTE, and assuming no changes to reduce GHG
emissions other than the current solar array. This projection indicates a doubling of GHG emissions by
the academic year ending in 2019.
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Mitigation Strategies
As a new campus and physical plant, FGCU benefits from the energy efficiency of modern energy codes
and building design. Our relatively new physical plant also means that we will not be able to increase
energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions as the result of routine replacement of old inefficient
equipment as easily as many other institutions.
As evidence of this, FGCU does better than average in energy efficiency and controlling GHG emissions.
GHG emissions per 1,000 square feet are currently well below the emission rates reported by other
State University System (SUS) residential schools in Florida participating in the ACUPCC. Even if these
other SUS institutions were to achieve 25% cuts in their GHG emissions (an aggressive goal) in the next
10 – 15 years, FGCU’ emission rate per 1,000 square feet will still be lower.
SUS GHG Emissions per 1,000 sqft
60
Tons of CO2e
50
40
30
20
10
0
FGCU
FAU
FIU
UCF
UF
USF
SUS Institutions
In addition to energy efficient facilities, FGCU has already taken steps to buy only EnergyStar rated
appliances and office equipment. Programs are underway to reduce the use of electricity by turning off
unnecessary lights, shutting off computers for evenings and weekends, and adjusting building
temperature set points.
Purchased Electricity Emissions
As a rapidly growing University, FGCU will continue to experience increases in our GHG emissions as our
enrollment increases. Because we do not have old inefficient equipment or infrastructure waiting for
replacement with newer energy saving designs, the actions we take at FGCU to reduce our GHG
emission rate will likely be more difficult than those an older institution will.
Eliminating GHG emissions completely to achieve climate neutrality will require the availability of
technologies and vendors able to provide cost effective clean electricity and transportation options. An
example is the solar array. Constructing this array broke new ground not just on campus, but also in
financing the project and the development of the business model. This operating array will reduce our
purchased electricity 15%, save money on the cost of electricity, and reduce our overall campus GHG
emissions by 10% based on data from our 2008 GHG emissions report.
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As the efficiency of solar film technologies improve, opportunities are anticipated to install solar film on
both new and existing building rooftops. New solar thermal systems are installed in residence halls
where they make financial and operational sense.
Increasing use of solar and other green energy sources by Florida Power and Light will reduce our GHG
gas emissions per megawatt of purchased electricity proportionally. All of these actions will combine to
reduce our GHG emissions in the future.
As a public University, FGCU must be sensitive to the intent of the desires of Florida taxpayers as
expressed through the legislative budgeting process. Paying extra costs to operate solely on green, nonGHG emitting electricity will require budget approval by the Legislature as a part of the utilities
appropriations.
Transportation Emissions
The other significant source of GHG emissions is transportation, including students and staff commuting
to campus. To reduce these transportation GHG emissions, the Ride2FGCU online program promotes
ride sharing, and helps students and staff find ways to carpool to work or share rides home at holidays.
FGCU partnerships with LeeTran and the Florida Commuter Services are increasing the number of rider
trips on the busses to campus.
Purchasing carbon offsets are a way to balance the GHG emissions from non-electrical energy sources.
A carbon offset represents a reduction of 1 metric ton of GHG emissions. To qualify as a carbon offset,
the project must result in actual reductions of GHG emissions that would not have otherwise occurred
under a reasonable and realistic business-as-usual scenario. Until the carbon-offset market is part of a
regional or national effort to reduce all sources of GHG emissions, it is difficult to determine the actual
value and benefit of buying an offset.
Educational, Research, Community Outreach Efforts
FGCU does not just practice environmental sustainability, but also promotes sustainability to our staff,
students, and the regional community. Our university-wide learning outcomes include that all students
will develop an ecological perspective and community awareness. There are more than 30 different
classes offered at FGCU with significant sustainability content. These classes are at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels, and include Colloquium taken by every undergraduate student at
FGCU.
FGCU’s Colloquium is an interdisciplinary environmental education course designed to explore the
concept of sustainability as it relates to a variety of considerations and forces in Southwest Florida that
all FGCU students must complete as a graduation requirement, and in which faculty from all five colleges
are involved. Florida Gulf Coast University’s students are not only introduced to FGCU values, they
participate in them.
Each year in the fall, Campus Sustainability Week focuses awareness on the many environmental
sustainability programs and features of the FGCU campus. The EH&S director and other University
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leaders speak to community clubs and organizations about the University’s commitment to
sustainability, and our programs in support of the ACUPCC.
The Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education works to elevate the environmental mission
of Florida Gulf Coast University and serve the university community, the local community of the Western
Everglades and Barrier Islands, and the wider community of scholars. The Center advances
understanding and achievement of the goals of environmental and sustainability education through
innovative educational research methods, emergent eco-pedagogies, and educational philosophy and
practice based on ethics of care and sustainability.
In October of 2009, FGCU establish the Backe Chair in Renewable Energy to attract a nationally
renowned Eminent Scholar dedicated to the study of renewable energy. In addition, FGCU joined with
the Backe Group in a collaborative venture to develop a 1.2 million square-foot, state-of-the-art
research and development area for studying renewable energy, solar energy, alternative energy sources,
biotechnology, green technology and other programs.
Financing
The University will continue to fund and implement programs to increase efficiency or decrease
greenhouse gas emissions when they are fiscally cost effective. The University will take advantage of
State monies made available to achieve climate neutrality goals, and look for private donors interested
in contributing to reduced carbon emissions.
The University continues to look for public-private partnerships, like the solar array installation, to
promote green energy, reduce trash, and reduce operating costs.
Tracking Progress
An inventory of green house gas emissions is conducted every second year for the ACUPCC, and will be
used to track progress in meeting our climate commitment goals. In non-inventory years, the University
participates in the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System sponsored by the Association for the
Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Summary
Because of our relatively new campus, FGCU’s GHG emissions per 1,000 square feet and fulltime
enrollment are much lower than other comparable schools. Our commitment to LEED certified
construction and projects like the solar power array will continue to decrease the GHG emissions per
student and per square feet of space.
Our university-wide learning outcomes include that all students will develop an ecological perspective
and community awareness, with more than 30 different classes offered at FGCU with significant
sustainability content. Sustainability activities on campus, academic centers, and academic programs in
renewable energy ensure that FGCU will remain on the forefront of sustainability education and
community outreach.
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Tracking systems are in place to benchmark the University’s success in achieving sustainability goals,
including creation of the Environmental Sustainability Committee under the Planning and Budgeting
Council.
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Appendix A
2008 GHG Report for Florida Gulf Coast University
HOME / GHG REPORT
Submitted on September 12, 2008; last updated on November 26, 2008
Summary Statistics
Making fair comparisons between higher education institutions is always challenging due to the rich diversity of higher education. The unverified nature of the information in this database and unavailability of
unbiased normalization metrics means such comparisons are even more difficult. Users should therefore approach direct institution to institution comparisons with caution and recognize that all comparisons
between institutions are inherently biased.
Total
Per Full-Time Enrollment
Per 1000 Square Feet
% Offset
Gross emissions (Scopes 1 + 2)
19,439 metric tons of CO2e
2.6 metric tons of CO2e
9.4 metric tons of CO2e
0%
Gross emissions (Scopes 1 + 2 + 3)
29,691 metric tons of CO2e
4 metric tons of CO2e
14.4 metric tons of CO2e
0%
Net emissions
29,691 metric tons of CO2e
4 metric tons of CO2e
14.4 metric tons of CO2e
N/A
Emissions Inventory Methodology and Boundaries
Start date of the 12-month period covered in this report
July 1, 2007
Consolidation methodology used to determine organizational
boundaries
Operational control approach
If any institution-owned, leased, or operated buildings or other holdings that should fall within the organizational boundaries are omitted, briefly explain why.
There are no leased spaces where we have operational control.
Emissions calculation tool used
Clean Air-Cool Planet
Please describe why this tool was selected.
Focus on campus environment, and availability.
Please describe the source(s) of the emissions coefficients used.
CA/CP calculator v5.0
Which version of IPCC's list of global warming potentials did
you use?
No information provided.
Who primarily conducted this emissions inventory?
Sustainability office staff
Please describe the process of conducting the inventory.
The inventory was conducted by the Environmental Health and Safety department with significant assistance from the campus community. Electricity
use for office and educational buildings was determined from monthly electricity invoices. Electricity use by student housing was provided from the
electricity vendor. Propane use was calculated using invoices for propane delivery. Fleet fuel use was calculated from fuel delivery invoices. Shuttle
fuel consumption is based on average weekly fuel used from the shuttle contractor. Staff and students were surveyed to determine typical commuting
information. Bus travel data is from LeeTran. Air travel trip data is based on ticket invoices and travel authorization forms. Travel distance is from the
online webflyer.com calculator.
Please describe any emissions sources that were classified as de minimis and explain how a determination of the significance of these emissions was made.
refrigerants, there were no significant releases of refrigerant gasses reported during this year.
Please describe any data limitations related to this submission and any major assumptions made in response to these limitations.
The commuting survey requires making broad generalizations based on the data we were able to obtain.
Data for recycled materials and trash generation is not available, because the vendor supplying trash and recycle material pick-up bills per trip rather
than by weight or volume. Attempts were made to estimate the volumes and compute weight, but variations in use over time, relocation of containers,
and the use of compactors prevented the collection of meaningful results.
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Emissions Data
Emissions from the following sources (in metric tons of CO2e)
Scope 1 Emissions
Stationary Combustion
49 metric tons of CO2e
Mobile Combustion
269 metric tons of CO2e
Process Emissions
0 metric tons of CO2e
Fugitive Emissions
0 metric tons of CO2e
Total Scope 1 emissions
318 metric tons of CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions
Purchased Electricity
19,121 metric tons of CO2e
Purchased Heating
0 metric tons of CO2e
Purchased Cooling
0 metric tons of CO2e
Purchased Steam
0 metric tons of CO2e
Total Scope 2 emissions
19,121 metric tons of CO2e
Scope 3 Emissions
Commuting
9,411 metric tons of CO2e
Air Travel
841 metric tons of CO2e
Solid Waste
No information provided.
Total Scope 3 emissions
10,252 metric tons of CO2e
Biogenic Emissions
Biogenic Emissions from Stationary Combustion
No information provided.
Biogenic Emissions from Mobile Combustion
No information provided.
Mitigation Data
Carbon Offsets
Carbon offsets purchased
No information provided.
Offset verification program(s)
No information provided.
Description of offsets purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)
No information provided.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Total RECs purchased
No information provided.
Percent of total electricity consumption mitigated through the
purchase of RECs
No information provided.
Emissions reductions due to the purchase of RECs
No information provided.
REC verification program(s)
No information provided.
Description of RECs purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)
No information provided.
Sequestration and Carbon Storage
Sequestration due to land owned by the institution
No information provided.
Description of how sequestration was calculated
No information provided.
Carbon storage due to composting
No information provided.
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Normalization and Contextual Data
Building Space
Gross square feet of building space
2,059,879 sq ft
Net assignable square feet of laboratory space
6,736 sq ft
Net assignable square feet of health care space
5,878 sq ft
Net assignable square feet of residential space
590,904 sq ft
Population
Total Student Enrollment (FTE)
7,482
Residential Students
1,944
Full-time Commuter Students
No information provided.
Part-time Commuter Students
No information provided.
Non-Credit Students
No information provided.
Full-time Faculty
311
Part-time Faculty
214
Full-time Staff
No information provided.
Part-time Staff
No information provided.
Other Contextual Data
Endowment Size
No information provided.
Heating Degree Days
No information provided.
Cooling Degree Days
No information provided.
Please describe any circumstances specific to your institution that provide context for understanding your greenhouse gas emissions this year.
No information provided.
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