UofL releases Climate Action Plan Progress Report

Climate Action Plan Progress Report

January 13, 2015

http://rs.acupcc.org/progress/1329/

The University of Louisville's 2008 signing of the ACUPCC helped kick-start a more comprehensive, integrated, university-wide approach to sustainability. It was in that first year after signing that we:

1. Formed our university-wide Sustainability Council and its active committees and subcommittees,

2. Added sustainability to UofL's Strategic Plan (measuring progress through AASHE's STARS framework),

3. Hired a full-time Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives, and

4. Completed our first greenhouse gas emissions inventory, establishing the baseline for our Climate Action Plan (adopted in 2010).

The number, diversity, and scale of our sustainability initiatives has expanded significantly since 2008 and we continue to measure our progress and set new priorities based upon the goals within STARS and our own Climate Action Plan. We also seek opportunities beyond these two frameworks as they arise to push our sustainability initiatives beyond our proscribed, preconceived notions and to respond appropriately to changing environmental, social, and economic conditions and opportunities.

Overall, in the 51 months since we released our Climate Action Plan, UofL has made the greatest progress in the areas of Energy Conservation and Efficiency, Green Building Design, Composting & Horticultural Practices, Transportation, and Food. We are excited to be making final plans to launch our Degree Programs in Sustainability beginning in fall 2015. Our greatest challenges continue to revolve around finding effective means of promoting university-wide Behavior Change and working out Financial arrangements to fund the installation of our planned renewable energy projects in a state where funding for higher education continues to be slashed and renewable energy incentives are generally nonexistent.

Below is a status report on the 73 specific steps from our Climate Action Plan which we identified as short-term priorities for 2010-2015. 43 steps (59%) have been (or are being) fully implemented; 17 steps (23%) have been partially implemented; and 13 steps (18%) have not yet been implemented (despite our best efforts, in some cases):

Status

Short Term 2010-15 Goals from Original CAP

Implemented

Implement and promote the single stream recycling and mini-bin garbage reduction programs in all buildings university-wide

Implemented

Create model green office

Implemented

Work with Sodexo to create a full-time position to be the lead contact on sustainability issues, including local foods.

Implemented

Involve the Food Service Advisory Group to identify ways to increase our campus use of locally grown food products

Implemented

Phase 2 of performance contracting (HSC and Shelby)

Implemented

Larger propane-powered lawn equipment and propane conversion of four-cycle string trimmers and hedge trimmers

Implemented

Continue and expand the program for food waste composting and vermiculture

Implemented

Implement awareness campaign

Implemented

Individual education programs

Implemented

Convert outdoor garbage bins along campus walkways to recycling bins

Implemented

Free bike program to provide a new bicycle and helmet to students and employees who agree to forgo a campus parking permit for at least two years.

Implemented

Campus Garden improvements and outreach

Implemented

Building Dashboards (4 buildings)

Implemented

Policy to systematically replace all dead, wind damaged, and removed trees with enough new trees

Implemented

Campus tree tour - publicize and incorporate into curricula and research agendas

Implemented

Identify and protect trees that have particular significance due to their size, historic value, unique species, etc,

Implemented

Increase student, staff & faculty awareness of local food issues by hosting classes and information sessions in residence halls, Red Barn, Student Activities Center and University Club

Implemented

Convene meeting of university’s caterers to discuss our goal to offer more local food products on campus. Develop a ‘local foods’ designation on UofL’s website for those caterers that desire to participate and will carry local food menu items

Implemented

Collaborate with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to identify training needs of local farmers with the intent of UofL being able to provide training

Implemented

Benchmark UofL’s per capita energy consumption

Implemented

Car-share program providing small, fuel-efficient vehicles

Implemented

Implement 100% tray less dining

Implemented

Convert final Belknap coal boiler to natural gas

Implemented (needs more enforcement/visibility)

No idling campus policy

Implemented (needs more promotion/visibility)

Establish a system for campus exchange and reuse of packaging materials

Implemented 2010, but not annually

Annual tree giveaway program

Implementing

Continual education and engagement

Implementing

Manage campus trees to increase carbon density through selective tree replacement and management

Implementing

Construct more energy efficient buildings

Implementing

Use variable volume HVAC systems in new construction and renovations

Implementing

Renovate existing buildings before infilling with new facilities

Implementing

Build at a greater density (slightly taller buildings with larger footprints)

Implementing

White roofs and green roofs for new construction and reroofing

Implementing

Condensate drainage from air conditioning systems for irrigation and water features

Implementing

Extend the collegiate setting into potential acquisition areas

Implementing

Eliminate existing hard surfaces if they are not needed

Implementing

Use new lighting technologies such as LED, solar and cutoff illuminates, which direct the light downward onto the walk surface

Implementing

Budget 15% of building cost for site treatments and grounds-related sustainability enhancements

Implementing

Offer efficient and safe pedestrian walks, which lead to the campus and connect primary campus destinations

Implementing

Build to a minimum of Silver LEED for all future construction and major renovation projects

Implementing

Develop the campus as a model of green planning and innovation

Implementing - No specific new initiatives, though this is generally accepted practice

Encourage more use of flexible schedules and telecommuting for employees whenever possible

Implementing through Bicycle Master Plan

Prepare campus circulation plans to design a holistic network of sidewalks, paths, and open spaces that promote and support walking

Partially implemented

Priority energy savings projects not included in the performance contracts

Partially implemented

Organizational unit and building competitions

Partially implemented

Establish a corps of students within A&S to assist in implementing energy conservation projects.

Partially implemented

Encourage employees and students to make suggestions on ways that the College can reduce energy use

Partially implemented

Provide every residence hall with a bicycle pump and basic tool kit to be stored at the front desk for use with UofL ID

Partially implemented

Faculty and student organizational awareness

Partially implemented

University-wide education

Partially implemented

Develop energy use benchmarks to measure any energy reductions realized

Partially implemented

Provide continuous feedback on energy reductions achieved

Partially implemented

Work with the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Department to build community infrastructure & signs to encourage biking and walking

Partially implemented

Provide incentives to carpools such as reduced parking permit prices, shared permits, preferred parking, university recognition, etc.

Partially implemented in some lots

Preferred parking for fuel efficient cars in all parking garages

Not widely implemented

Purchase smart surge protectors that detect when the computer is shut off and automatically turns off all of the peripherals (73% energy reduction)

Not widely implemented

A&S departmental awareness

Not widely implemented

Incorporating the plan into the classroom

Not widely implemented

Organizational unit energy assessments

Not widely implemented

Energy self assessments

Not implemented

Identify space on or adjacent to campus for a bicycle repair shop, either through contracting with a private bike store, using work-study students to operate the shop, or a hybrid of the two

Not implemented

Create model green classroom

Not implemented

Develop and post on appropriate websites a database that lists the submission dates for RFPs for supplying food products such as meats, milk, etc.

Not implemented

Appoint an Energy Conservation Team

Not implemented

Survey of energy use

Not implemented

Energy Team should prepare an annual report of energy usage

Not implemented

Create model green laboratory

Not implemented

Increase post-consumer recycled content for paper to 50-100%

Not implemented

Power Purchase Agreement to install solar systems

Not implemented - attempted, but insufficient demand

Work with KIPDA to establish dedicated vanpools to campus

Not implemented - Still in discussion

Public-private partnership to design and construct a biomass digester

Not implemented - though voluntary carbon offsetting for air travel has begun and discussions continue

Establish a policy through which either travel expenses for destinations within 250 miles would only be reimbursed for ground transportation, or a requirement that all air travel reimbursement requests include information on the distance traveled and the amount of greenhouse gases produced

Not implemented, but discussed

Install two rain gardens