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 |
