Air & Climate
Introduction
Global climate change is having myriad negative impacts throughout the world, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather events, sea level rise, species extinction, water shortages, declining agricultural production, and spread of diseases. The impacts are particularly pronounced for low-income communities and countries. In addition, institutions that inventory and take steps to reduce their air pollutant emissions can positively impact the health of the campus community, as well as the health of their local communities and regions.
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Climate change and the fossil fuel divestment movement in Canadian higher education: The mobilities of actions, actors, and tactics
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
Situated within the broader climate justice movement, the fossil fuel divestment movement calls for both public and private divestment of financial holdings from fossil fuel companies. This paper examines the …
- Posted March 4, 2020
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Welcome and Unwelcome Surprises on the Path to Carbon-Neutrality
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
For many colleges and universities, the commitment to carbon-neutrality was initially a pledge based upon a leap of faith that was judged too important to delay until a clear path …
- Posted Feb. 20, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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On 4.7.20, Focus Your Campus on Ambitious Climate Solutions
- Bard College (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
Solve Climate By 2030 is mobilizing US educators to engage over 100,000 students in dialog about ambitious stabilizing the climate over the next decade. It culminates on the evening of …
- Posted Feb. 13, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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A lifecycle cost analysis of transitioning to a fully-electrified, renewably powered, and carbon-neutral campus at the University of Dayton
- University of Dayton (OH)
This paper analyzes the cost-effectiveness of converting the University of Dayton (UD) to a fully-electrified, renewably powered, carbon-neutral campus by 2025. The greenhouse gas (GHG) impact and 30-year lifecycle costs …
- Posted Feb. 10, 2020
- Publications
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The World Climate Simulation: A Tool to Motivate Science-Informed Climate Action on Your Campus
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
Are you looking for a tool to get students engaged, excited, and motivated to take science-informed action on your campus? This workshop will give you hands-on experience with the World …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Student Summit Opening Keynote with Varshini Prakash
- Sunrise Movement (DC)
Varshini Prakash is the executive director and co-founder of Sunrise Movement, a movement of young people working to stop climate change, take back our democracy from Big Oil, and elect …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Closing Keynote with Bill McKibben - Author, Environmentalist, Activist
- 350.org (NY)
In his heartfelt, hopeful talks, McKibben offers realistic approaches to saving our planet, as individuals, certainly, but also as thoughtful members of a mobilized group. When it comes to building …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Building Personal Resilience in a Wellbeing Economy
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
- Verdis Group (NE)
As the climate continues to change, weather events are increasingly affecting people in deeply personal ways. Grief, trauma, depression, hopelessness, fatalism and uneasiness are all symptoms. Recent reports by the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Don't pack your bags. We can create interactive, fun and transformative e-conferences.
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Alberta (AB)
Don't stress! Yes, conferences create connections and inspire new ideas; however, traveling to conferences costs time, money and increases our carbon footprint. But no, it's not the only way. E-conferences …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Revolutionizing Transportation & Mobility Data Surveys with AI and Smart Phones: A pilot study
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- B-Line Analytics (NS)
Data science, artificial intelligence and smart phones carry the potential to revolutionize transportation/mobility planning and scope 3 greenhouse house gas inventories. Traditional transportation surveys are conducted by hundreds of AASHE-member …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Getting There from Here: Improving Data Collection and Reporting Related to Commuting Impacts
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- Second Nature (MA)
For more than a decade, tracking greenhouse gas emissions and other impacts of commuting has been one of the more crazy-making aspects of sustainability reporting and planning. In 2019, University …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Can Buying Better Products Help Reverse Global Warming? Toward Circular, Carbon-Storing Procurement
- Interface, Inc (GA)
What does Procurement have to do with global warming? Research indicates that the embodied carbon (the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere from product supply chains, manufacturing and transport) purchased by …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Engaging Community Partners in Resilience Planning: Catalyzing Action Beyond the College/University
- Concordia College (NY)
A relatively new part of the Climate Commitment (run by the organization Second Nature) is the mandate to engage in resilience planning. Signatories to the commitment pledge to engage with …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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The Role of Rural Campuses in Building Community Resilience and Responding to Extreme Weather
- Black Hills State University (SD)
- California State University, Chico (CA)
- Central Community College (NE)
- Second Nature (MA)
Rural colleges/universities are often one of the driving cultural and economic forces in their region. As a result of this position, they can be a great resource in the community …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Exploring Deep Decarbonization on a Research Intensive Campus
- California Institute of Technology (CA)
- Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (WI)
Caltech is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, whose mission is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. For the past decade, Caltech …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Partners in Greening the Economy: Clean Energy and Electrification on Campus and in the Community
- Weber State University (UT)
For sustainability, we collectively need to green our economy to improve environmental and human health and wellbeing. One aspect of this larger process is to shift to clean energy sources …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Learn to Lead the World Climate Simulation, a Mock UN Climate Negotiation
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Learn to lead a World Climate Simulation - a mock United Nations (UN) climate negotiation meeting - on your campus or community. As a facilitator for the World Climate Simulation, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Co-Creating a Sustainable Economy Through Climate Adaptation Strategies
- University of Dayton (OH)
This session will provide the audience applicable lessons and ideas on how to integrate learning opportunities of a sustainable economy into the curriculum. While informing and inspiring attendees on cutting …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Climate Resilience and Economic Development: Unlikely Bedfellows in a Small Community
- Black Hills State University (SD)
- Verdis Group (NE)
In 2018, Black Hills State University began a climate resiliency planning process for the campus and surrounding community of Spearfish, South Dakota (pop. 12,000). With the help of Verdis Group, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Best Practices for Inter-Institutional Emissions Benchmarking
- Duke University (NC)
- Harvard University (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Yale University (CT)
The Ivy+ Sustainability Consortium is a collective of 14 higher education universities that share and develop best practices for sustainability. In an effort to better understand the consortium's collective emissions …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Getting to Yes on a Comprehensive Institutional Response to the Climate Crisis: Energy 2028
- Middlebury College (VT)
Middlebury College trustees recently adopted a resolution committing the college to achieve the following goals: - Divestment from all fossil fuel and related investments in its endowment - 100% renewable …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Convincing Our Colleagues to Fly Less: Engaging Academics on E-Conferencing
- University of Alberta (AB)
Academic conferences provide invaluable scholarly interaction, yet a reliance on air travel means conferencing has a big carbon footprint. Estimates suggest air travel can make up 15-30 per cent of …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Defining the Finish Line: What a Circular Economy for Universities Should Look Like
- Boston Architectural College (MA)
- Ayers Saint Gross (MD)
Over the last few decades, we recognized the dire threat of climate change and created an agreed upon understanding of the risks buildings pose to student learning, health and performance. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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The Road to Building a Zero Carbon Building
- Mohawk College (ON)
In October 2016, Mohawk College broke ground on a one-of-a-kind net zero energy project and opened its doors in Fall 2018. The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation at Mohawk …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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University Sustainability Initiatives: Utilizing Carbon Offsets to Achieve Sustainability Goals
- Element Markets (TX)
New initiatives by campus sustainability teams are increasingly focused on reducing their carbon footprint. Through initiatives like on-campus solar, energy efficiency projects, and recycling programs, universities are implementing new measures …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Carbon Offsets 101: Campus Sustainability Initiatives
- Element Markets (TX)
Universities across the globe are committed to mitigating climate change impacts from campus activities. Solutions such as on-site solar, energy efficiency, recycling programs, or student-led environmental initiatives serve as a …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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A proven methodology for calculating air miles traveled and associated emissions
- Columbia University (NY)
Calculating Scope 3 emissions from university related travel can be difficult, especially if data is not being collected by a designated travel agent. Columbia University has implemented a methodology to …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Carbon Capture Technologies
- Michigan State University (MI)
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
The transition away from using natural gas and other fossil fuels for stationary heat and power will take time, but carbon capture technologies can be implemented on existing generators, boilers, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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A Switch to Zero-Emission Buses for Campus Transportation Helps More Than the Riders!
- University of Montana (MT)
- Proterra (CA)
Many Universities are committed to 'Greening' their campuses. By simply replacing one diesel bus the CO2 emissions are reduced by approximately 230,000 lbs. annually. This means that one bus replacement …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Put A Price On It: Winning Strong Climate Policy on Campus, State and Federal Level
- Our Climate (OR)
We are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, including increased temperatures, changes in rain and snowfall patterns, unprecedented droughts and heatwaves, stronger hurricanes, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Carbon Neutrality in a Cold Climate - A Portfolio Approach to GHG Emissions Reduction
- Bates College (ME)
We will be highlighting our multi-faceted approach to hitting carbon neutrality reduction goals - Fuels, Efficiency, and Culture. Bates College has begun burning a new, wood-based liquid fuel in its …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Strategic Electrification: Scenarios for How and Why Carbon Neutrality Depends on It
- Amherst College (MA)
- Carleton College (MN)
- Thompson Rivers University (BC)
- GreenerU (MA)
- Integral Group (CA)
More than 300 schools have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality at some point in the future through Second Nature's reporting platform. For nearly every school, carbon neutrality through means other …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Welcome and Unwelcome Surprises on the Path to Carbon-Neutrality
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
For many colleges and universities, the commitment to carbon-neutrality was initially a pledge based upon a leap of faith that was judged too important to delay until a clear path …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Understanding Climate Motivators, Barriers, and Required Resources for Action
- Mohawk College (ON)
Post-secondary institutions are viewed as leaders in their communities; this includes action on climate change to ensure a prosperous future for their graduates filled with opportunities for success. Though high …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Not Your Grandma's CAP: An Interactive Climate Action Plan for Storytelling and Spurring Change
- CannonDesign (NY)
Shouldn't a campus's climate action plan lead to actual 'actions'? One might say, of course! In reality, traditional climate actions plans become static reports that once done are least socialized/researched …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Why Colleges Should Consider Nitrogen: Lessons from the NFT Network
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
The NFT (Nitrogen Footprint Tool) Network was formed in 2014 to develop a tool for institutions to evaluate the impact of their activities and consumption on reactive nitrogen released to …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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What is Carbon Neutrality for? A Framework for Sustainability Leadership Beyond Offsets
- Amherst College (MA)
- Smith College (MA)
The most important number in climate policy is zero - we need to achieve carbon neutrality as quickly as possible to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Academic institutions …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Proxy Carbon Pricing for Identifying Climate-Smart Investments: Lessons From Practice
- Princeton University (NJ)
- Smith College (MA)
Given the slow policy response by governments, climate action in higher education has become an essential part of maintaining policy momentum, driving innovation, and fostering social dialog. Carbon pricing has …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Going Carbon Neutral - Giving Everyone a Voice, With Students Leading the Charge
- University of Victoria (BC)
Dr. Simon Pek and Dr. Rick Cotton will take you on Gustavson School of Business' journey to carbon neutrality. In sharing the story of this success their aim is to …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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University of Californiac's RFI for Campus-initiated Offsets & the Offset Network Peer Verification
- Duke University (NC)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- Second Nature (MA)
The Offset Network is an online platform for colleges and universities considering the development of their own emission-reducing projects to fulfill carbon neutrality commitments. Self-generated offsets offer greater flexibility than …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Carbon and Nitrogen 'Footprinting' 101: Tools for Sustainability Education, Advocacy, and Planning
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
It's well-established that calculating the campus carbon and nitrogen footprint provides important quantitative information to assess, track, and improve campus sustainability, yet the majority of colleges and universities across the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Carbon Pricing on Campus IV: Networking Session for Institutions Advancing Carbon Pricing Solutions
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Smith College (MA)
- Yale University (CT)
- Second Nature (MA)
There are now nine higher education institutions in the U.S. that have implemented some form of an internal price on carbon, and many more exploring this strategy. Following up on …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Slow Conferencing: A Recipe for Connection in Troubled Times
- University of Toronto (ON)
The international conference comes at a cost in terms of our carbon footprint, but it also comes at a cost in terms of building broad communities of interest - particularly …
- Posted Dec. 2, 2019
- Publications
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The environmental footprint of academic and student mobility in a large research-oriented university
- McGill University (QC)
- Université de Montréal (QC)
Academic mobility for field work, research dissemination and global outreach is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to the overall environmental footprint of research institutions. Student mobility, while less studied, …
- Posted Dec. 2, 2019
- Publications
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2019 AASHE Conference & Expo Closing Ceremony
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- AASHE (MA)
- 350.org (NY)
Bill McKibben, author, climate activist and environmentalist, joined higher education sustainability leaders at the 2019 AASHE Conference & Expo. His remarks helped us further explore the conference theme, "Co-Creating a …
- Posted Nov. 26, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Let’s Take the Climate Back
- AASHE (MA)
- Interface Global (GA)
According to research conducted by Interface and Net Impact, 95% of climate experts believe that it is possible to reverse global warming and 91% of young leaders agree. The reason …
- Posted Nov. 13, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Implementing Energy Efficiency through Sub-meters
- Macalester College (MN)
- AASHE (MA)
Participants will learn how to begin sub-metering utilities on their campus and how this data can inform and justify not only the cost of the sub-meters, but of energy efficiency …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Campus-based Climate Resiliency Field Study Program
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Office of Sustainability collaborated with academic and operational partners to create a field study program that focused on campus climate resiliency. The experiential learning program …
- Posted Aug. 5, 2019
- Photographs
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Academic air travel has a limited influence on professional success
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Lowering the growth in greenhouse gas emissions from air travel may be critical for avoiding dangerous levels of climate change, and yet some individuals perceive frequent air travel to be …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2019
- Publications
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Climate Change Garden at Cornell University
- Cornell University (NY)
The Climate Change Garden at Cornell University, a permanent campus installation that demonstrates the impact of climate change on plant growth in New York state. Planning for the climate change …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2019
- Photographs
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
OP 1: Emissions Inventory & Disclosure
- Description of the methodology and/or tool used to complete the GHG emissions inventory
- GHG emissions inventory (upload)
- Brief description of the GHG inventory verification process
- Brief description of the methodology for completing an air emissions inventory
OP 2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user, performance year
- Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year
- A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives
- Website URL where information about the institution's GHG emissions is available
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.