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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Beyond Carbon Offsetting: Making a Sustainable Living Class Carbon Conscious
- Living Routes, Inc. (MA)
This Case Study will report on how a university class measured and managed its carbon footprint in a way that directly supported campus sustainability projects. It’s clear that climate change …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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ASU Carbon Neutrality: Go BIG or Watch Everyone Else Pass You By - Campus Energy Efficiency at Scale
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Rocky Mountain Institute (CO)
Universities and Colleges are leading the way toward a carbon neutral future for all of us. Arizona State University is an inspirational example of a campus on the frontlines of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Climate Adaptation – The Role of Higher Education Institutions
- Florida International University (FL)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of San Francisco (CA)
- Arup (NY)
As global action languishes, institutions of higher education are beginning to ask questions. If the global community is successful in greenhouse gas mitigation, there will still be changes in climate. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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On-site Power Purchase Agreements 101: What you really need to know
- Yale University (CT)
- Community Energy, Inc. (PA)
- Second Nature (MA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
In an effort to address climate change universities across the nation have made formal commitments and set targets to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions. They are now grappling with how …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Framework for Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Leadership
- Second Nature (MA)
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
- AASHE (MA)
With an eye to the future, AASHE, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council and Second Nature will share their vision for resilient and sustainable campuses. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Passive Strategies: The Common Sense Approach to Energy Reduction
- Lipscomb University (TN)
- Lake Flato Architects (TX)
The path to Carbon Neutrality or Net Zero starts with intelligent passive strategies that reduce loads and minimize a building’s reliance on carbon based energy before active strategies and equipment …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Roadmap to Resilience: Assessing Tools and Strategies for Climate Preparedness on Campus
- Second Nature (MA)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
While campuses have made great strides in mitigating dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, the climate is changing in a way which will require alterted strategies for building, maintenence, investment, teaching and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Spelman: HBCU Climate Action Planning
- Spelman College (GA)
- O'Brien & Gere (NY)
The Vision of a Sustainable Spelman requires all of us to adopt an ethic of conservation. In January of 2013, Spelman College completed its Climate Action Plan (CAP) and submitted …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Off-site Power Purchase Agreements: How Long-term Contracts Can Reduce Emissions and Energy Costs
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
- ERG Consulting Firm (MA)
Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive emission reduction goals as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. Electricity use commonly …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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New Funding Sources to Drive Campus Clean Energy/GHG Leadership and Innovation
- Ball State University (IN)
- Valencia College (FL)
This workshop introduces an entirely new funding source for colleges dedicated to pursuing aggressive clean energy efficiency goals: the voluntary carbon market. With announcements poised to be made at the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Leveraging Community Partnerships to Enhance Climate Resiliency
- Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (MA)
- Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (DC)
Recent extreme storm events and new studies in climate science have brought to light the need to both prepare for a changing climate and to maintain strong relationships with host …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Cap-and-Trade Model for RIT Commuters
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
As climate change awareness grows, several U.S. colleges and universities are tracking their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and have signed the American and University Presidents Climate Commitment (AUPCC), pledging to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Managing Campus Forests to Meet Carbon Neutrality Goals at Colgate University
- Colgate University (NY)
Deforestation, land use changes and poor land management practices are major contributors to global climate change. Alternatively, sustainable forest management and conservation of open lands must be an important part …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Opportunities for Wind and Solar Technology Education: Stabilize Energy Costs
- MV Green Power LLC (TX)
The presenters will also describe methods of incorporating the latest information on renewable energy technologies, solar and wind, into college course curricula. We also discuss ways of integrating these renewable …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Climate Adaptation in the West: Audits, Assessments, and Strategic Planning to Achieve Action
- University of Denver (CO)
Colorado and many western states face hotter and likely drier futures. Acknowledging the need for resilience, students and staff at the University of Denver embarked on an expansive environmental assessment …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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University’s Role in Building Resilient Businesses and Communities – The Case of the University of South Florida
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
Disaster management professionals are at a critical point in history, when their decisions and actions will either have long‐lasting damaging effects within their communities, or make substantial contributions towards communities’ …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Warren Wilson College Campus Tree Inventory and Carbon Sequestration/Storage Analysis
- Warren Wilson College (NC)
In a partnership with the North Carolina Forest Service Warren Wilson College Landscaping Crew students and staff conducted an assessment of the vegetation composition, function, and value of the urban …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Emergent Beauty: A Tapestry of Student Engagement and Climate Change Interwoven Through Community Art
- Appalachian State University (NC)
What happens when a community of students, faculty, and local citizens weave their voices together through the arts? Grounded in the diversity of each individual’s gift, a vibrant, living organism …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Teaching Module on Climate Change for the Introductory Business Course
- Dickinson College (PA)
Business managers are increasingly engaged with climate change issues, but pedagogy on climate change in the business curriculum is in the early stages of development. This session addresses the need …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Factoring Supply Chain into Scope 3 GHG Reporting
- Emory University (GA)
Thanks to a push from large corporations such as Wal-Mart, many corporations are tracking the greenhouse gas emissions of their supply chain. Knowledge of your supply chain is essential for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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YERT 2.0: The Environmental Road Trip Continues
- Media Changing Media LLC (PA)
Building off of themes and stories covered in their 2012 award-winning, sustainable-solutions eco-docu-comedy “YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip,” with YERT 2.0 the YERT team is exploring through several film projects …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making College and University Green Space More Resilient to Climate Change – Gardens, Landscaping, Habitat Restoration, and More
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
Colleges and universities are more than a collection of buildings and paved roads. Many campuses have a tree-lined quad or other park-like areas. Wilder corners on campus protect wetlands, woods …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How Colleges and Universities Can Use Their Forested Holdings for Carbon Offsets and Other Sustainability Opportunities
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
Forests are indisputably essential to the health of the planet, yet globally face intense pressure. They not only provide everyday products such as timber and paper, but also other critical …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Flexible Urban Water Systems for the Adaptation of Campuses to Future Change Pressures
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
Water systems for new campuses or the major extension of existing campuses are designed for long operational life span of up to 50 years. However local change drivers such as …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Decision Pathways to Adapt Coastal Areas to a Changing Climate under Uncertain Risk: a Study of Three Australian Local Governments
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Risks associated with climate change are generally considered to increase as time progresses, but the degree to which this correlation holds for a specific coastal area is uncertain. When developing …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Financial and Physical Climate Change Resilience: Are Your Facilities Ready?
- URS Corporation (MD)
The slow but steady pace of climate change is producing rapid and drastic weather changes worldwide. These changes are challenging the ability of facilities to perform their most basic function, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Beyond Sustainability: Resilience Thinking in Sustainability Education
- Warren Wilson College (NC)
Sustainability can be thought of as the ability of human communities to persist over the long term through equitable sharing of natural, economic and cultural resources within and across generations. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Novel Alternative to Purchasing Carbon Off-Sets
- Utah State University (UT)
Nearly one-fifth (19%) of Utah State University's (USU) carbon emissions result from faculty, staff and students traveling on business. Travelers logged over 17 million miles in air travel and over …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Mining Our Collective Experience: A New Tool for Illuminating and Prioritizing High-Impact, Cost-Effective Carbon Reduction Strategies
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
With significant and growing collective institutional experience in "greening" our campuses, it seems it should be relatively simple to determine where to start in our climate action plans-the "likely suspects" …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Determining the GHG Emissions from Composting at The University of Arizona
- University of Arizona (AZ)
This study uses leading industry standards to quantify the net greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) associated with Compost Cats, a student-run composting program at The University of Arizona. The Climate Action …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Climate Change, Agriculture, and Rural Communities: The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership
- Kansas State University (KS)
The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership is a National Science Foundation funded collaboration between Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to develop climate change education programs for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Yale Community Carbon Fund; Reducing Emissions and Increasing Economic Security in Local Communities
- Yale University (CT)
The Yale Community Carbon Fund seeks both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase economic security for low-income people living in New Haven. Funds are raised through a combination …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders with Improved Climate Literacy through AMS Climate Studies
- American Meteorological Society (DC)
It is of utmost importance that tomorrow's leaders are climate literate. That responsibility falls on institutions training today's students. But many colleges and universities still do not offer a basic …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Tracking the Campus Carbon Footprint through Student Engagement
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WI)
Since signing the President's Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007, our university's Greenhouse Gas Emission (GGE) inventory reports have been completed by students enrolled in a course now in its third …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Measuring and Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Campus Dining Using the CHEFS Tool
- Delta College (MI)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
The movement and level of sophistication surrounding sustainable dining is growing, yet few institutions have as yet been able to measure their total "baseline" climate change impacts from dining services. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Case Study of Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements for Higher Education Institutions
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Greenhouse gas (GHG) registries have been established in a number of states and several countries to provide organizations with a way to track their GHG emissions and develop long-term measures …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Carbon Inventories
- Gordian (SC)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Clean Air-Cool Planet and Sightlines partnered in 2011 to redevelop the Campus Carbon CalculatorTM as a dynamic, web-based tool in order to streamline the transition from greenhouse gas analysis to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Carbon Calculator Transformed: A New Era in Campus Climate Action
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- Gordian (SC)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Over a decade of standardized measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions has played a critical role in advancing the ability of higher education to provide leadership in climate action. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Drought Conditions in Texas and Oklahoma: Rethinking University Water Consumption
- Texas Tech University (TX)
The La Niña weather pattern has caused severe drought conditions in Oklahoma and Texas, especially in West Texas since late 2010. As a result, communities as well as universities have …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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YERT - Your Environmental Road Trip
- Blue Lens, LLC (PA)
Bill McKibben says about YERT, "Here's a trip you'll wish you'd taken, and you'll be glad you get to watch!" Join us for the 60-minute educational cut of the YERT …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Trust with Agricultural and Rural Decision-Makers through Climate Change Education in the Rural U.S. Central Great Plains
- Kansas State University (KS)
The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership is developing climate education programming for agricultural producers, rural communities, and rural schools throughout Kansas and Nebraska. It is a National Science Foundation …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Getting a Handle on Your Campus Carbon Footprint: A Workshop for Minority-Serving Institutions
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Attendees (up to 12) will be asked to come with data from on their campuses and will be walked through the process of putting that data into the new, online …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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AMS Climate Studies: A Great Primer for Green College Programs
- American Meteorological Society (DC)
As a greater number of educational institutions unveil green degree programs and reduce their environmental footprint, basic climate literacy is of utmost importance. To meet that growing demand, the American …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Mastering the Climate Action Plan: Managing Implementation Strategies from Diverse Campus Perspectives
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
In the last two years, over one-third of those institutions that signed the American Colleges and University Presidents Climate Commitment have submitted their Climate Action Plan (CAP). These plans range …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Climate Neutral Research Campuses: Center of Excellence Provides Resources to Achieve Climate Neutrality
- Cornell University (NY)
A new climate action resource center illustrates the full range of campus climate action options with technical resource links and leading examples of implementation. Climate Neutral: Research Campuses has been …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Climate Action Research Teams: An Academic and Operational Partnership to Enhance Institutional Climate Action
- Ithaca College (NY)
This presentation details an ongoing academic and operational partnership in which a select research group of students partner with an interdisciplinary and cross-functional team of faculty and operational leaders to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Planning Campus Climate Action in a Service Learning Course
- Dickinson College (PA)
In spring semester 2011, students in the Sustainability Practicum course offered at our college were charged by our President's Commission on Environmental Sustainability with reviewing the college's climate action plan, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Semester Immersion in Climate Change Science, Ecological History and Human Dimensions
- Dickinson College (PA)
We are team teaching an interdisciplinary program in fall 2011 in which a dozen students and three faculty members will immerse themselves in explorations of the science, human and ecological …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Focus on the Near-term: Analysis and Prioritization of Actionable Carbon Reduction Strategies
- Carleton College (MN)
XYZ College's Climate Action Plan was the product of an enthusiastic committee effort involving students, faculty and staff. The CAP goal was to prioritize actions for the near-term that would …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A New Approach to Offsetting: The College of William and Mary Carbon Offset Program
- College of William & Mary (VA)
Carbon offsets are a means by which individuals or groups (i.e. corporations) compensate for their carbon footprint. These parties donate a calculated proportion to a project that reduces carbon emissions …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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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.