A Climate Action Plan for the Monterey Institute of International Studies
Ryan Bigelow, MA, International Environmental Policy
Clayton Snyder, MBA and MA Innternational Environmental Policy
October 2009
Monterey Institute of International Studies
Monterey, California
Introduction
According to the October 2006 Economics of Climate Change report published
by the Stern Review, the costs of climate change will be equivalent to at least 5% of
global GDP each year, beginning in 2006 and lasting into perpetuity under a
business-as-usual scenario. Meanwhile the 4th Report of the International Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) corroborates this conclusion, stating that "Unmitigated
climate change would, in the long term, be likely to exceed the capacity of natural,
managed and human systems to adapt." It is the responsibility of every organization,
and every individual for that matter, to face this challenge by modifying the
activities that contribute to the problem.
This document identifies a strategy that will fulfill the Monterey Institute's
signed commitment to achieve "carbon neutrality," or to "eliminate its contribution
to global warming over time," within the framework of the American College and
University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The ACUPCC is a binding
agreement for the Institute to submit, openly publicize, and follow a plan and
timeline for carbon neutrality.
The Institute's carbon neutrality initiative offers numerous financial and
nonfinancial benefits. In economic terms, becoming carbon neutral reduces
operating costs over the medium term by reducing the energy consumption that is a
source of CO2 emissions. Being carbon neutral also has the potential to generate
revenue for the Institute over the near term by demonstrating its commitment to an
issue in a competitive market for increasingly socially conscious prospective
graduate students. Furthermore, Middlebury College, the institute's partner
institution, enacted a set of policies in 2007 that will enable it to achieve carbon
neutrality by 2016. It is recommended that MIIS match Middlebury's commitment to
leadership in this area.
By following the strategy outlined herein, the Institute will accomplish the carbon
neutrality goal no later than January 1, 2016.
While a more detailed and formal Carbon Neutrality Plan is in the final stages of
the approval process, the strategy outlined here is an accurate representation of
the steps MIIS will take to achieve carbon neutrality by the stated deadline.
Strategy
MIIS will employ a combination of energy efficiency, materials conservation
efforts, incentives to limit air travel, and carbon offsets to reach the neutrality goal.
The specific energy efficiency measures employed are as follows: timers and motion
sensors on campus lights; lighting system equipment retrofits; and application of
networked computer power saving software. A policy that will incorporate the cost
of air travel emissions offsets into employee travel budgets is also currently under
review. Other measures intended to minimize the consumption of materials related
to campus printing are concurrently underway.
The carbon neutrality plan will hinge on maximizing conservation in these
two areas while investing the associated cost savings in a revolving fund. The
Institute has determined that the savings from these programs are sufficient to
purchase offsets for the remainder of its emissions from air travel and other
sources. January 1, 2016 has been identified as an absolute latest deadline for this
offset purchase, although it is possible that it will occur sooner, based on the success
of the measures mentioned above.
Educational Experience
The pursuit of carbon neutrality and the broader goal of sustainability
provide a plethora of opportunities for students to enhance their educational
experience at the Monterey Institute. For example, all greenhouse gas audits, the
carbon neutrality plan, and initiatives related to tangible action points have been
developed and implemented by students. In the future, as the Institute begins to
purchase carbon credits as part of our carbon neutrality initiative, students will
have the opportunity to compare various carbon offset providers across a spectrum
of criteria to determine the program most suitable to the Institute's specific
emissions profile, needs, and interests. Students have consitently applied
curriculum materials and concepts such as calculating the financial, environmental,
social costs as well as the policy implications, in finding solutions to campus
sustainability problems.
Research
Faculty within the International Environmental Policy (IEP) Program have
contributed significantly to the literature and research on climate change, and
continue to publish regularly on the topic. Mitigating climate change, adapting in the
face of increasing environmental pressures, and the economic underpinnings of
climate change policy are all areas in which IEP faculty and students are deeply
involved. Specifically, Dr.'s Scorse, Williams, and Langholz have all published in this
field. Dr. Williams is teaching a seminar on Greening the Grid: The Present, Past, and
Future of Electric Power Systems in the Fall of 2009.
Community Outreach
The Monterey Institute of International Studies is a proud member of the local
community. Every year, the Institute hosts community Earth Day events designed to
spread the message about climate change and sea level rise, which is a particularly
critical issue for our coastal community. Furthermore, the Institute is frequently the
host of educational events such as speakers, panel discussions, and conferences,
devoted to this topic. The Institute has also begun hosting a weekly Environmental
Speaker Series, which is offered for free to students and the general public,
providing a communal space for people to learn about environmental issues and
speak directly to experts in the field.
Tangible Action Points
The Monterey Institute has successfully implemented the following Tangible Action
Points:
1) Initiative A: Green Building Policy. The institute’s Green Building
Policy successfully fulfills the requirements set out by ACUPCC and requires
all new construction to be designed, built and commissioned to a minimum of
LEED-NC v3 “Silver” rating or equivalent.
2) Initiative G: Waste Minimization. The Institute is an active participant
in the RecycleMania Waste Minimization competition, and has adopted
Measures #3,#9 and #12 from the 17 possible options. The Institute is also
currently considering the implementation of measure #10.
3) Initiative B: Energy Star Procurement Policy. The Monterey Institute
of International Studies commits to:
1) Purchase only Energy Star Certified Products in all areas where
such a rating exists and whenever financially feasible.
2) Purchase computers (desktops, laptops and monitors) according to
criteria established by the Electronic Product Environmental
Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
Conclusion
Through a combination of energy efficiency, materials conservation efforts, and
carbon offset purchasing, the Monterey Institute will reach carbon neutrality by no
later than January 1, 2016. While cognizant of the hurdles that remain in this
process, the invaluable benefits to the environment, the local community, and to the
Institute itself, make it a goal that must be accomplished.