Carleton College Climate Action Plan Summary

March Faculty Meeting

March 7, 2011

“Carleton College recognizes that global warming is one of the greatest local and

global challenges of our time. The college values the goal of carbon

neutrality as a priority for our community, recognizing that this

goal merits the consideration of allocation of resources to research and

implement technological and behavioral change. The college commits to

developing a framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the input of

students, staff and faculty. In doing so, Carleton reaffirms its commitment to

sustainability as articulated in the Environmental Statement of Principles.“

• Approved by the Environmental Advisory Committee, April 18, 2006• Amended and approved by Administrative Council, May 9, 2006• Approved by College Council, May 15, 2006

Carleton Carbon Neutrality Value Statement:

American College and University Presidential Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)

Signed by over 670 higher educational institutions committing to make a substantial reduction of their carbon emissions, including:

Submission of a greenhouse gas inventory within 1 year

Two (2) or more short-term tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gasses while the comprehensive plan is in progress

Submission of a Climate Action Plan to become carbon neutral

“colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities

and throughout society…”

What is a Climate Action Plan?

A comprehensive plan for an institution to become climate neutral by a specific target date.

The plan sets interim targets for goals and actions that will lead to climate neutrality

The plan includes actions to make climate neutrality and sustainability a

part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students

The plan includes actions to expand research or other educational efforts necessary to achieve climate neutrality

The plan includes mechanisms to track progress on goals and actions

– Faculty:• Daniel Hernandez, Biology• Kimberly Smith, Political Science / Environmental Studies• Aaron Swoboda, Economics / Environmental Studies

– Staff: • Nancy Braker, Director of Cowling Arboretum• Patricia Langer, Budget Analyst• Martha Larson, Manager of Campus Energy & Sustainability• Steve Spehn, Director of Facilities• Fred Rogers, Vice President and Treasurer• Lynn Wilmot, Planned Giving Officer

– Students: • Ray McGaughey, Class of 2011• Sustainability Assistants

– Trustee: • Don Frost, Class of 1983

– Consultants: • Energy Strategies, Salt Lake City, Utah• Affiliated Engineers, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin

Climate Action Plan Steering Committee

Step #1: Evaluate Current Status (p.13)

Carleton 2008 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory

#1 Source of Carleton GHG Emissions = Energy Supply / Demand

Emissions Type:

Scope 2 - purchased

Scope 1 – direct

Scope 3 – consequential

Scope 1 - direct

Scope 3 - consequential

Scope 3 - consequential

Carbon offset

Step #2: Project Campus / Population Growth (p.14)

Carleton “Business as Usual” Base Case Scenario

Projected 45% increase in GHG emissions by the

year 2050

Factors:•building footprint growth•population growth

Range of Potential Financial Exposure to Carleton due to Future Greenhouse Gas Legislation

Step #3: Evaluate Potential External Factors (p.16)

Worst CaseStringent regulationsCostly tech. advances

Moderate Case

Best CaseWeak / no regulationsLow-cost tech. advances

mill

ions

of

dolla

rs/y

ear

Step #4: Compile Potential GHG Abatement Strategies (p.17)

Net Savings Net Cost

Step #5: Evaluate Options / Quantitative Comparison (p.19)

Averag

e A

nn

ual M

etric T

on

s of C

O2e

(MT

CD

E) A

bated

Net Savings / Cost (through 2050) per Annual Metric Tons of CO2e (MTCDE) Abated

Note: Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) is a metric used to calculate the global warming potential of all greenhouse gases relative to that of carbon dioxide.

Step #6: Select Options / Identify Milestones (p.20)

The Carleton College GHG Reduction “Wedge Diagram”

Step #7: Incorporate into Campus Framework

(p.21)

“Carleton develops qualities of mind and character that prepare its graduates to become citizens and leaders, capable of finding inventive solutions to local, national, and global challenges.”

- Carleton Mission Statement

Education & Outreach Recommendations (p.42 - 46)

•Inside the Classroom: •Collaborate with the LTC to develop related teaching resources•Make CAP data available for use in courses•Explore the possibility of an environmental literacy core course requirement

•Outside the Classroom:•Develop a database of practicum opportunities w/ ENTS•Encourage off-campus study programs with focus on sustainability

•After the Classroom:•Maintain a database of graduate study programs in sustainability•Organize a speaker series of alumni working in “green collar” fields

•Campus / Community Engagement•Explore opportunities to collaborate with other student groups on sustainability initiatives

•Research•Compile and publicize opportunities for sustainability research funding

Education & Outreach Examples

2010 – 2011 Academic Year:

•Classroom incorporation of Climate Action Plan topics

•Econ 268: Cost Benefit Analysis •Bio 221: Ecosystems Ecology •Geo 210: Geomorphology

•Extra-curricular opportunities

•Project initiatives undertaken by students in STA work-study positions •Funding for students to attend 2011 Power Shift conference

•Campus / community engagement

•New Student Week sustainability programs•CAP presentations to staff / faculty •Wind turbine project updates posted on web and local newsletters

Climate Action Plan Next Steps

•March / April 2011: Review / edit draft plan (comments welcome!)

•May 2011: Present final plan to Trustees

•June 2011: Post publicly on ACUPCC and Carleton website

•June 2012: Internal plan review and update

•June 2013: Progress update posted to ACUPCC website

The draft plan is available to Carleton students, staff and faculty at:

http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/sustainability/initiatives/cap

http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/sustainability/initiatives/cap

Thank You!

Exhibit 1: Sample GHG Reduction Recommendations

1. Energy Supply / Demand – building energy audits; combination of student green teams + professional engineering support

2. Transportation – “live local” programs to encourage staff / faculty to live in Northfield and walk/bike to work

3. Waste management – improve recycling, composting, and and waste reporting methods

4. Land Management – calculate Arb and landscape carbon sequestration to include in annual greenhouse gas inventories

5. Procurement – link sustainable purchasing guidelines to Carleton sustainability website; develop reporting system to track cost / environmental benefits of “greener” purchases

Exhibit 2: Interim Carleton GHG Reduction Milestones

Target #1: 17,000 MTCDE by 2020:1) Wind Turbine #22) Space utilization guidelines3) Green building standards4) Green IT initiatives 5) Building energy conservation projects6) Behavior change initiatives7) Backpressure turbine (w/ replacement of boiler #1)8) Future projects / offsets

Target #2: 14,000 MTCDE by 2025:1) Wind turbine #1 – direct tie2) Future projects / offsets

Target #3: 11,000 MTCDE by 2030:1) Biogas as a substitute fuel for boilers2) Geothermal at Recreation Center (or other buildings)3) Future projects / offsets

Energy Conservation

Strategies

Note: 2008 Carleton GHG Inventory = 22,000 MTCDE

Exhibit 3: Project Timeline (pg.49)

Focus on first ten years to interim target #1

Exhibit 4: Sample Cash Flow Projection (pg.48)

Accumulated energy savings

Metering & Monitoring

Energy Conservation

Exhibit 5: Key Definitions

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) – a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. Note: greenhouse gas emissions are often measured in terms of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE).

Climate Neutral – having net zero greenhouse gas emissions, achieved through a combination of greenhouse gas reduction and purchased renewable energy credits or carbon offsets to compensate for the remainder.

Carbon Offsets –reduction in emissions of carbon or GHG made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere.

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) - tradable, non-tangible energy commodities in the United States that represent proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource (renewable electricity).

• Source: www.wikipedia.org