Principle 2: Goal 2.1
Principle 2: Goal 2.1
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Principle 2 | Clean Energy – Supports the development and use of clean and renewable energy sources. |
| Goal 2.1 | Achieve UMass commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 or as specified through the sustainability planning process occurring through the development of campus-specific action plans, as identified in Goal 1.1 as being necessary to achieve carbon reduction commitments and meet sustainability objectives, and UMass system’s guiding principles towards this goal. |
| Metric | Annually publish latest available greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory |
Define the goal issue and provide background info to understand the goal in lay terms.
In 2007, the President of the University of Massachusetts signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate commitment (ACUPCC). In doing so the University committed to developing plans to achieve climate neutrality. In the context of this commitment climate neutral is the elimination of net greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations. The University under the commitment is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and report on the following: stationary sources (fossil fuels burned in boilers, central heating plants and power plants), mobile sources (fossil fuels used in vehicle fleet), purchased electricity, financed air travel, and commuting of faculty, staff and students. There are also additional reporting categories including refrigerants and chemicals, agricultural sources, other financed travel, study abroad, solid waste, and waste water which when included give a more comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions. Under this commitment each UMass campus developed baseline greenhouse gas inventories and created climate action plans which set interim goals and outlines mechanisms to achieve climate neutrality.
Why is this goal important to highlight?
The ACUPCC outlines the importance of this goal as it relates to climate change. Climate change is defined as a change in the global or regional climate patterns. The scientific consensus is that climate change is real and attributed to increases in greenhouse gas emissions largely caused by humans. The speed and scale of climate change has the potential for large scale adverse health, social, economic and ecological effects. The Commitment states that to avoid the worst impacts of climate change greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced 80% by midcentury.
Where does the University/campuses currently stand in meeting this goal?
All five campuses have completed climate action plans and report on greenhouse gas emissions and progress to the ACUPCC. It is important to note that the interim goals and climate neutrality are not consistently normalized. Even if they were being normalized they are still not being met because the goals do not compensate for growing energy use intensities (Ex. Labs). Therefore, with the campuses growing, there is a struggle to meet the interim reduction goals and stay on track to become climate neutral by the target date.
Are there other groups/departments who will be critical in meeting this goal?
Several departments are integral in moving forward to meet this goal, including Facilities, Engineering and Construction, Planning, Transportation, Purchasing, Sustainability & Energy Management, Power Plant Operations, Administration & Finance, and faculty, staff, and students.
What has been done in the past to advance towards this goal?
The campuses have made significant gains in reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite aggressive growth and the addition of new buildings. These reductions come principally from energy efficiency measures, retrofits, fuel switching, and in part from LEED building design.
What does the University/campus need to do in order to reach this goal?
High level support and funding is required to develop more extensive carbon reduction plans and to make investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.