CLIMATE ACTION PLAN | MAY 2010 The George Washington University Climate Action Plan May 15, 2010 To provide feedback or comments on this document, please refer to the GW Idea Garden: www.sustainability.gwu.edu/ideagarden The George Washington University Office of Sustainability 2121 Eye Street, NW, Suite 701 Washington, DC 20052 [email protected] www.sustainability.gwu.edu 202‐99GREEN Become a Facebook Fan of our office: “sustainability at gw” Follow us on Twitter: “@Sustain_GW” The George Washington University’s Sustainability Vision and Mission The university envisions a future with resource systems that are healthy and thriving for all. In an effort to enhance its campus, the nation’s capital, and the world at large, GW is building a greener campus, providing research and intellectual discourse on policies and pathways to sustainable systems and equipping students with skills and knowledge to contribute to a sustainable future. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 1 Background............................................................................................................................................... 1 GW Sustainability ..................................................................................................................................... 1 GW Climate Change Strategy ................................................................................................................... 1 Financing and Next Steps ......................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Science of Climate Change ....................................................................................................................... 1 American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment ........................................................ 4 Climate Action Plan Process and Engagement ........................................................................................ 4 Community Engagement in the Climate Action Plan........................................................................... 5 GHG Inventory .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Methodology and Boundaries .................................................................................................................. 7 Primary Sources of Emissions................................................................................................................... 7 Progress to Date ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Potential Revisions to FY 2008 Baseline ................................................................................................... 9 Strategy for Addressing Climate Change .................................................................................................... 10 Projections and Commitments For Carbon Neutrality ........................................................................... 10 Carbon Neutrality Strategy..................................................................................................................... 12 Communications Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 13 Curriculum and Research Strategy ......................................................................................................... 13 Strategies in Focus ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Strategy 1: Reduce.................................................................................................................................. 15 Building Energy Reductions .................................................................................................................... 15 Conservation and Optimization ......................................................................................................... 15 New Construction............................................................................................................................... 17 Behavior Changes............................................................................................................................... 17 Commuting Reductions .......................................................................................................................... 18 Campus Fleet .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Air Travel................................................................................................................................................. 20 Strategy 2: Innovate ............................................................................................................................... 21 Strategy 3: Partner.................................................................................................................................. 23 Energy Mix Factors ................................................................................................................................. 23 Offsets..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Curriculum and Research............................................................................................................................ 25 Recommendations.................................................................................................................................. 26 Financing ..................................................................................................................................................... 29 Capital Project and Operating Budgets .................................................................................................. 29 Green Campus Fund ............................................................................................................................... 29 Class Gifts, Specialized Funds, and Other Donations ............................................................................. 29 Future Funding Sources.......................................................................................................................... 30 Conclusion................................................................................................................................................... 31 2040 Horizon .......................................................................................................................................... 31 A Call to the GW Community.................................................................................................................. 31 Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................... 32 Glossary....................................................................................................................................................... 33 Appendix A: CAP Team Responsibilities and Members ............................................................................. 35 CAP Implementation Team Members .................................................................................................... 37 Appendix B: GHG Inventory Methodology ................................................................................................ 39 Appendix C: GHG Emissions by Scope, FY 2008......................................................................................... 42 Appendix D: Initial GHG Reduction and Sustainability Actions.................................................................. 43 Appendix E: Sample Energy Reduction Policies ......................................................................................... 48 Appendix F: Initial Engagement Activities................................................................................................... 49 Appendix G: Complete Communications Tactics........................................................................................ 50 Appendix H: Sustainability and Climate‐Related Academics ..................................................................... 53 Coursework............................................................................................................................................. 53 List of Research Funded as of Spring, 2010............................................................................................ 58 Additional Faculty and Staff Research Interests..................................................................................... 64 Institutes................................................................................................................................................. 76 Degrees and Curricula Offerings............................................................................................................. 77 THE GEORGE