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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Creating Positive Impact and Achieving Sustainability Goals through Custom Carbon Reduction Projects
- Native (VT)
How can your institution achieve more through your climate goals? Carbon offsets and RECs have long been an effective way of addressing the environmental impacts of running an academic institution …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Assessing Campus and Community Resilience in Rural America
- Central Community College (NE)
- Green Mountain College (VT)
- Second Nature (MA)
Rural colleges and universities face unique considerations when assessing campus and community climate resilience. While there are common elements to resilience at any institution, the political and economic landscape for …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Putting A Price On Carbon: Fighting for Strong Climate Policy on the Campus, State and Federal Level
- Our Climate (OR)
We already face the disastrous impacts of climate change: unprecedented droughts and heatwaves, stronger hurricanes, ocean acidification, sea level rise, the spread of infectious disease. The cost of these changes …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Role of Campuses in Driving Climate Resilience Planning
- Dickinson College (PA)
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- Second Nature (MA)
As impacts from climate change intensify, a growing number of initiatives are emerging to increase resilience locally and globally. Campuses across the US are stepping up to prepare for climate …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Advancing Carbon Pricing at Your Institution
- Smith College (MA)
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- Yale University (CT)
Carbon pricing is a fair, feasible, and powerful solution to accelerate a transition to a clean energy economy. With a growing number of carbon pricing policies around the world and …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus & Community Resilience: Experiences from Community College & University Partnerships
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- Portland State University (OR)
- Second Nature (MA)
Campuses in Portland, Los Angeles, and Phoenix were involved in the Climate Resilience in Urban Campuses + Communities (CRUX) project to support the implementation of resilience-related elements of the colleges …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Greenhouse Gas Inventory of the University of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
As greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere and have an impact on climate, identifying and monitoring the sources of these emissions becomes increasingly important. Because residential and commercial …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Climate adaptation planning in the higher education sector
- RMIT University
Purpose There is a growing interest in climate change action in the higher education sector. Higher education institutions (HEIs) play an important role as property owners, employers, education and research …
- Posted Oct. 23, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Making the Shift to Climate-Friendly Food Service
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- AASHE (MA)
- Friends of the Earth (DC)
The webinar will provide information covering broad menu-based strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of dining service. Friends of the Earth’s Food & Agriculture program consultant will introduce the topic …
- Posted Oct. 18, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
The Climate-Friendly Global Academic Conference with a Human Touch
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- Tufts University (MA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
- University of Graz
Aviation is responsible for a large proportion of the climate impact of professional life in university communities. One much-discussed option for reducing this climate impact is to shift some conferencing …
- Posted Sept. 13, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Global academic conferencing: A semi-virtual approach
- University of Graz
Scholars and their institutions contribute significantly to global warming by flying to conferences. An intercontinental return flight in economy class can be compared with burning a ton of fossil carbon …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
California State University East Bay Climate Action Plan 2018
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
Cal State East Bay made a commitment to climate neutrality when President Morishita signed the Carbon Commitment (formerly the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment) in January 2015. Once …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Applied Climate Science (BS)
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
The applied climate science major provides an interdisciplinary approach with courses in biology, chemistry, soils, water, ecology, mathematics and statistics, and Geographic Information Science (GIScience). These courses provide students with …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2018
- Academic Programs
- View more
Carbon Neutral Campus: Solar Research
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This project was set out to analyze two UIC buildings, the Student Services Building and the Pharmacognosy Field Station, in order to determine their potential for solar energy along with …
- Posted Aug. 10, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
1 MegaWatt Battery Energy Storage System
- California State University, Long Beach (CA)
In 2017, California State University, Long Beach installed a 1 Megawatt energy storage system on campus as part of a multiphase project with Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) made possible through …
- Posted Aug. 7, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Pathways to carbon neutral energy systems at the University of California, Davis
- University of California, Davis (CA)
To achieve carbon neutrality by 2025 the University of California, Davis (UCD) seeks to eliminate its dependence on fossil energy sources. This study outlines a methodology to identify optimal equipment …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Strategic leadership for sustainability by higher education: the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment
- Greenland Enterprises (MA)
Higher education has a strong influence in shaping the mental models of many of society's professionals and leaders and is a critical leverage point in creating a sustainable society. The …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Nitrogen Footprint Network Workshop
- University of Virginia (VA)
Fifth annual Nitrogen Footprint Network meeting, hosted by the University of Virginia.
- Posted Aug. 1, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
University of Virginia Renewable Energy
- University of Virginia (VA)
Renewable energy (PV panels on Clemons library) helps reduce UVA's nitrogen footprint, in addition to UVA's greenhouse gas footprint.
- Posted Aug. 1, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Dickinson College Solar Array
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson’s new (2018), 12-acre solar array project—designed and built by Tesla—is projected to generate approximately 5,200,000 kwh per year, representing more than 25 percent of Dickinson’s current electricity consumption and …
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
University of Dayton Energy GPA
- University of Dayton (OH)
The Energy GPA program provides students in University-owned student neighborhood houses with a grade of their monthly energy use. Monthly "report cards" include electricity and gas usage and a monthly …
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Climate Change Commitment Wall
- American University (DC)
American University student signs chalkboard commitment wall to fight climate change.
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Paradigm Project
- American University (DC)
A woman outside Nairobi, Kenya holds a wood-burning, efficient cookstove from the Paradigm Project.
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Penn's main, academic campus was accredited as a Level I ArbNet-certified Arboretum as of April 2017, and Level II in November 20107. The Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania encompasses …
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Vassar Groveville Hydro Project
- Vassar College (NY)
Photo Credit: Karl Rabe/ Vassar College In Fall 2015, Vassar College signed a 20-year agreement with Gravity Renewables to establish a purchasing partnership with a small scale hydropower project on …
- Posted July 27, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
VCU Community-University Urban Forestry Program
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
The Urban Forestry Initiative at Virginia Commonwealth University is a community-based research project designed to meet the community identified need of increasing urban tree canopy cover and the university identified …
- Posted July 27, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Delta College Living Wall
- Delta College (MI)
The campus Health Professions Building North atrium at Delta College showcases a living wall, an architectural feature and natural ventilation system that acts as a bio filter to improve air …
- Posted July 26, 2018
- Photographs
- View more
Quantitative analysis of factors affecting greenhouse gas emissions at institutions of higher education
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
Increasingly, institutions are reporting greenhouse gas emissions as a means to measure sustainability. One way higher education is taking a leadership role is through the American College and University Presidents …
- Posted June 29, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Measuring carbon performance in a UK University through a consumption-based carbon footprint: De Montfort University case study
- Arup (NY)
- De Montfort University
This paper presents a consumption-based carbon footprint study for a UK university including scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions under the classification of the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard. …
- Posted June 29, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Longitudinal Study of the Impacts of a Climate Change Curriculum on Undergraduate Student Learning: Initial Results
- Stonehill College (MA)
The present study assesses the efficacy of a semester-long undergraduate sustainability curriculum designed from a systems approach. The three-course curriculum, which incorporated environmental science and ethics courses along with an …
- Posted June 29, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Exploring the applications of carbon footprinting towards sustainability at a UK university: reporting and decision making
- University of Leeds (West Yorkshire)
Campus greening is often the first step universities take towards sustainability. In order to infer the current level of environmental performance and the progress being made it is imperative that …
- Posted June 29, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Carbon sequestered in the trees on a university campus: a case study
- University of Waikato
The authors aim to investigate the ability of a New Zealand university to rely on the CO2 sequestered in the trees on campus to mitigate the CO2 emissions caused by …
- Posted June 29, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Carbon brainprint – An estimate of the intellectual contribution of research institutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Cranfield School of Management
Research and innovation have considerable, currently unquantified potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by, for example, increasing energy efficiency. Furthermore, the process of knowledge transfer in itself can have a …
- Posted June 29, 2018
- Publications
- View more
The Nitrogen Footprint Tool for Universities
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- University of Virginia (VA)
- AASHE (MA)
The Nitrogen Footprint Tool (NFT), designed for institutions of higher education, assesses the impact of campus consumption and activities on excess reactive nitrogen (N) in the environment. Excess reactive nitrogen …
- Posted June 28, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
An Analysis of the Sustainability of Different Methods of Delivering Higher Education
- Manchester Metropolitan University
Transforming society and the economy to a more sustainable basis remains one of the most significant challenges of the 21st Century. Higher education institutions are considered key in helping to …
- Posted June 20, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Comparing Greenhouse Gas Emissions across Texas Universities
- St. Edward's University (TX)
This project serves as a study comparing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between universities in Texas. Over 90 percent of climate scientists believe that increased climate change is due to anthropogenic …
- Posted June 20, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Grappling with Climate Uncertainties: MIT’s Resiliency Approach
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
Heightened awareness from recent extreme weather events and emerging data about current and future climate risks is placing increasing pressure on university campuses to develop processes for enhancing the resilience …
- Posted May 31, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Princeton Student Climate Initiative
- Princeton University (NJ)
On the Friday night after midterms week, seven Princeton undergraduates gathered in the Pace Center for Civic Engagement to talk climate change legislation. Decked in hoodies, sweats, and mismatched socks, …
- Posted May 21, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
University of California Irvine's PUMP2PLUG Electric Vehicle Adoption Program
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
The UCI Pump2Plug Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption Program is widely recognized as the first university incentive program for EV adoption through the replacement of gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles. With …
- Posted May 21, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
Tackling it Together: A Framework for Assessing Climate Vulnerability in the Pioneer Valley
- Smith College (MA)
In Western Massachusetts, stakeholders are engaging with vulnerability in different ways. While some are planning at the campus and city levels, others have engaged only in areas specific to their …
- Posted May 21, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Sustainable Choices
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) is a fast growing community college in a suburb of the Phoenix Metro area. As one of ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District …
- Posted May 21, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
American University Achieved Carbon Neutrality Two Years Ahead of 2020 Target
- American University (DC)
In 2018, American University became the first university, first research university, and first urban higher education campus to achieve carbon neutrality. This major goal was reached two years ahead of …
- Posted May 21, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
Making Climate Commitments into Climate Action
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
The Climate Action Implementation Plan (CAIP) is the sustainability action plan for the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The UIC Climate Commitments, announced in April 2016, form the basis …
- Posted May 21, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
UCI Bus Love: UC Irvine’s Transition from a Bio-Diesel to Electric Transit Fleet
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is the first college campus in the nation to transition over to a fully-electric bus fleet. The student-funded-and-operated Anteater Express campus shuttle service has …
- Posted May 18, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
SIMAP: Sustainability Indicator Management and Analysis Platform
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
SIMAP™ is a carbon and nitrogen accounting platform that can track, analyze, and improve your campus-wide sustainability. Our proven algorithms, based on nearly two decades of work supporting campus inventories …
- Posted May 18, 2018
- Tools
- View more
Designing a Proxy Carbon Price Strategy for Smith College
- Smith College (MA)
This thesis to Design a Proxy Carbon Price Strategy for Smith College was written to internalize the social cost of carbon emissions into financial decision-making. A proxy carbon price is …
- Posted May 18, 2018
- Publications
- View more
SUNY Polytechnic Institute Campus Forest Carbon Inventory Report and Sequestration Estimates
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (NY)
This report takes initial measurements for existing SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus forest carbon stocks and estimates projections for annual rates of carbon sequestration. Establishing a baseline for campus forest carbon …
- Posted May 18, 2018
- Publications
- View more
Towards a universal carbon footprint standard: A case study of carbon management at universities
- University of Southampton
Organisations of all types are significant contributors to international greenhouse gas emissions. The business case for supporting low-carbon practices is gathering pace, alongside the regulatory demands imposed through carbon emission …
- Posted May 14, 2018
- Publications
- View more
First Application of UN-Toolkit to a Collegiate Climate Action Plan
- San Diego State University (CA)
The United Nations Guiding Principles for Climate Action Planning Toolkit: City-Level Reviews was re-engineered to allow for the applicability and utilization towards university-level climate action plans. Through tailoring the eight …
- Posted May 11, 2018
- Case Studies
- View more
The Role of Eco-campus Assessment Management System in the Sustainable Development of British Universities
- Nottingham Trent University
The university is a key driver of sustainable development. In the UK, environmental management systems (EMSs) are increasingly being used by organizations to improve environmental performance. Environmental management systems bring …
- Posted May 10, 2018
- Publications
- View more
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.