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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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Towards Carbon Neutrality in Higher Education Institutions: Case of Two Private Universities in Colombia

  • Universidad EAN
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

This paper addresses the path followed by two private higher education institutions (HEI) in Colombia towards achieving carbon neutrality. The methodology followed by these universities to achieve a carbon-neutral certification, …

Quantitative assessment of environmental impacts at the urban scale: the ecological footprint of a university campus

  • Università degli Studi di Torino
  • Politecnico di Torino

This paper explores the consumption-based ecological footprint method and its application aiming at a quantitative assessment of the sustainability of a university campus. The goal is to inform the planning …

Scalable pathways to net zero carbon in the UK higher education sector: A systematic review of smart energy systems in university campuses

  • Buro Happold (NY)
  • University College London (London)

The following literature review sets out the state-of-the-art research relating to smart building principles and smart energy systems in UK higher education university campuses. The paper begins by discussing the …

Arranging university semester date to minimize annual CO2 emission: A UK university case study

  • University of Edinburgh
  • Tsinghua University
  • Sichuan University

Existing methods of reducing carbon emissions on campus often require substantial investment, and the potential opportunities for carbon dioxide and energy savings in universities with existing infrastructure have not been …

Considering Indigenous Environmental Issues in Canadian Curricula: A Critical Discourse Analysis

  • Concordia University (IL)
  • University of Calgary (AB)

This article presents insights from a curricular review of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories with a focus on critical Indigenous environmental issues. This inquiry was conducted amidst nationally prominent …

Achieving Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality in Higher Education Institutions: A Review

  • Victoria University (Victoria)
  • Charles Darwin University

Universities and higher education institutions play an important role in achieving a sustainable future through their teaching and by undertaking cutting edge research to combat climate change. There have been …

Carbon Footprint at a United Arab Emirates University: GHG Protocol

  • American University of Sharjah

University campuses can be leaders of change by tracking carbon footprints and establishing strategies for reductions. The American University of Sharjah (AUS) has led this effort in the United Arab …

Correlation between electric energy use and CO2 emissions in a university campus in Brazil

  • Universidade Federal Fluminense

The purpose of this article is to examine the correlations between greenhouse gas (GHG) by CO2eq emissions and the use of electricity on the Praia Vermelha campus of the Universidade …

Energy consumption in university commuting: Barriers, policies and reduction scenarios in León (Spain)

  • Universidad de León

There is a growing interest in university commuting that aims at identifying patterns of behavior, as well as the main barriers limiting the advances in sustainable mobility on campus. This …

Characterization of travel behavior at a university campus: A case study of Sharjah University City, UAE

  • University of Sharjah

Travelers to university campuses tend to follow particular travel patterns; hence, assessing these patterns offers a unique opportunity to recognize this important population group. This study investigates the differences among …

Exploring sustainable student travel behaviour in The Netherlands: balancing online and on-campus learning

  • Avans University of Applied Sciences
  • Technische Universiteit Delft
  • Wageningen University

Daily commuting trips of higher education (HE) students account for a large proportion of the carbon footprint of a HE institution. Considerations of students underlying their choice of travel mode …

Climate Emergency: UK Universities' Declarations and Their Role in Responding to Climate Change

  • Cardiff University

On April 17, 2019, the University of Bristol became the first university in the United Kingdom (UK) to declare a climate emergency. Against a backdrop of high visibility and public …

Kicking the Habit: Rethinking Academic Hypermobility in the Anthropocene

  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)

Examining the hypermobility of many “elite” academic workers, this article situates mobility within the context of higher education and sustainability, decoloniality, and institutionalized expectations for academic travel. The mobility of …

University leadership in climate mitigation: reducing emissions from waste through carbon pricing

  • Syracuse University (NY)
  • Seoul National University

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate potential impact of internal carbon pricing in emission reduction in Higher education institutions (HEIs). Over the past century, human activities have increased greenhouse …

Carbon footprint in Higher Education Institutions: a literature review and prospects for future research

  • Universitat Jaume I (Castelló)

Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or universities, as organisations engaged in education, research and community services, play an important role in promoting sustainable development. Therefore, they are increasingly linked to the …

Carbon footprint assessment tool for universities: CO2UNV

  • Universitat Jaume I (Castelló)

Universities, as organisations engaged in education, research and community services, play an important role in promoting sustainability and should be an example of a sustainable organisation. The Carbon Footprint (CF) …

A cost-minimizing approach to eliminating the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions at institutions of higher education

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
  • University of Massachusetts Boston (MA)

Many institutions of higher education have committed to carbon neutrality. Given this goal, the main economic issue is minimizing cost. As for society as a whole, dominant decarbonization strategies are …

Strategies for Energy and Climate Management at the British Columbia Institute of Technology

  • British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is Canada's premier polytechnic. In 2008, BCIT partnered with its local electricity utility to hire a full-time energy manager. The following year, BCIT's …

Sustainable geography in theory or in practice? Reflections from a participant at NGM 2019

  • UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Academic conferences have a large carbon footprint due to long-distance travel by participants and contribute to increased consumption in other ways. With reference to Stephen Sterling’s distinction between education about …

Stanford University Scope 3 Emissions Program

  • Stanford University (CA)

Over the past decade, Stanford University has reduced its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and is on track to eliminate 100%. In June 2020, the Board …

Pacific Northwest Just Futures Institute for Racial and Climate Justice

  • University of Oregon (OR)

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Just Futures Institute is a transformational regional platform for racial and climate justice funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. We hold collaborations among the University …

CLIMATE CRISIS ANTHEM Music Video

  • AASHE (MA)

The CLIMATE CRISIS ANTHEM is a visually and musically engaging 6:20 minute video that portrays the dire situation we all face in the current environmental breakdown.

Musical styles range from …

  • Posted May 4, 2022
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CFR 7/22 Higher Education Webinar: Campus Sustainability and Climate Change Mitigation

  • Mount Holyoke College (MA)

V.S. “Raghu” Raghavan, director of sustainability and associate director of the Miller Worley Center for the Environment at Mount Holyoke College, discusses actions campuses can take toward greater sustainability and …

  • Posted May 2, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Students Digging the First Hole for a Dogwood Tree on Arbor Day 2022

Arbor Day Tree Planting

  • City University of New York, College of Staten Island (NY)

On April 29th, we celebrated the 150th Arbor day by planting 4 trees and 3 bushes on campus near the Baseball filed.

Decarbonising Universities: Case Study of the University of Exeter’s Green Strategy Plans Based on Analysing Its Energy Demand in 2012–2020

  • University of Exeter (Devon)

This study investigates the carbon footprint of the University of Exeter by analysing its energy consumption between 2012 and 2020 to assess its current standing in the process of achieving …

  • Posted April 29, 2022
  • Publications
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Sierra Nevada University Earth Day Student Sustainability Showcase

Earth Day Student Sustainability Showcase

  • Sierra Nevada College (NV)

This photo shares a scene from the Sierra Nevada University Earth Day celebration held on 4/20/22 on the Incline Village campus in Lake Tahoe, NV. The day started with a …

  • Posted April 28, 2022
  • Photographs
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Senior Netra Mittal speaks at the 2022 UB Climate Action Plan Update

University at Buffalo: Coming together as a Campus to Achieve Climate Neutrality

  • University at Buffalo (NY)

As our campus moves closer to our 2030 climate neutrality date, we annually bring our university together to give an update on our progress. This year, UB Sustainability has collaborated …

  • Posted April 27, 2022
  • Photographs
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UM6P has planted 200 olive trees with its community

Plant it Forward

  • University Mohammed VI Polytechnic

Planting Trees is one of the most effective ways to act towards climate change as it benefits our everyday lives efficiently. They filter clear air, help curb climate change, create …

  • Posted April 25, 2022
  • Photographs
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Climate Fiction Panel: Fire & Water Anthology of Short Stories

  • University of Hawaii Community Colleges (HI)
  • AASHE (MA)

As Seas Rise, Can Literature Be Our Life Raft? Virtual Reading and Conversation -- RECORDING Moderator: Dr. Krista Hiser, Panelists: Mary Fifield, Claudia Monpere McIsac, & Kristin Thiel

With climate-triggered …

  • Posted April 18, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Declaring a Climate Emergency: UBC’s Climate Emergency Task Force Process and Path to Implementation

  • University of British Columbia (BC)
  • AASHE (MA)

Join us for an interactive session to learn about the University of British Columbia’s Climate Emergency response and connect with leads of various innovative and exciting climate action projects that …

  • Posted March 24, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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How to make low-carbon academia fly? Reducing academic air travel beyond COVID-19

  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences

This article seeks to advance our understanding of the underlying reasons that sustain high levels of academic flying, and explores how a low carbon academia with less academic air travel …

  • Posted March 10, 2022
  • Publications
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Why Your Institution Doesn't Know What it's Doing With Telework and What to do About It

  • George Mason University (VA)

During the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still ongoing, many institutions transitioned to telework for all employees able to do so. However, as we …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Is Your Carbon Footprint BS?

  • University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
  • University of Minnesota System Office (MN)

Get ready for a new way to engage students in conversation about action and change-making starting with the question -- does your individual carbon footprint even matter? Dive into the …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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From Waste to Fuel: An Interactive Introduction to Community-Based Biodiesel Production

  • John Brown University (AR)
  • Springboard Biodiesel (CA)

Making biodiesel from waste oils, locally, is a community-based act of collaboration and empowerment that has a significant positive impact on the environment and saves money on any institution's fuel …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Solve Climate Worldwide Teach-in / 3.30.22 / Engage 1 Millon Students

  • Bard College (NY)

Time to address climate change is short. With universities returning to in-person education, as educators at this moment, we have the responsibility to engage our entire campuses in urgent discussions …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Advancing Carbon Neutrality Through Renovation and Renewal

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Ayers Saint Gross (MD)

Arizona State University achieved climate neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2019, six years ahead of schedule, but the planet needs more. Join us to learn how ASU …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Going Big on Renewables: How to Kick-Start Renewables With Second Nature's Pro Bono Consulting

  • Davidson College (NC)
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
  • Coho Climate Advisors (MD)

Do you want to go big on renewables but you don't have the funds to get started, or need a way to get traction with internal stakeholders? In 2020, Second …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Designing Buildings for Future Climate Realities

  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)
  • Arup (NY)

The University of California launched the Designing Buildings for Future Climate Realities project to optimize buildings and infrastructure to the changing climate in which they will be operating. Standard industry …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Life Cycle Analysis in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting: Capturing the Whole Picture

  • Polytechnique Montréal (QC)

Polytechnique Montréal produced what we believe is the most comprehensive carbon footprint reporting of any higher learning institution by using a life cycle analysis (LCA) approach. Many institutions have pledged …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Establishing a Framework for a Scope 3 Emissions Inventory

  • Stanford University (CA)

For over a decade, Stanford has calculated and reported its Scope 1 and 2 direct greenhouse gas emissions and has reduced those emissions by 69% since peak levels in 2011. …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Accelerating Big Levers of Change: Heat Trading, Ground Source Heating and Cooling, and Carbon Pricing - Second Nature Solution Center

  • Carleton College (MN)
  • Stanford University (CA)
  • Brailsford & Dunlavey (DC)

We have the tools to solve climate change today. The challenge is how to deploy these solutions fast enough, at a large enough scale and in a way that promotes …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Virginia Heat Watch: A Commonwealth-Wide Collaboration for Heat Mapping

  • University of Lynchburg (VA)
  • Randolph College (VA)

Randolph College and University of Lynchburg are both signatories to the Carbon Commitment and the Resilience Commitment, and have been collaborating on community resilience efforts since 2018. We are also …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Setting a Path for Elimination of Carbon Emissions through Electrification of Natural Gas Equipment

  • Stanford University (CA)

Stanford University has reduced its carbon emissions by 69% from peak levels in 2011 and is on track to achieve 80% reduction in the next year through procurement of 100% …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Climate Communication: Practical Applications for Educators, Students, and Service Learning Programs

  • Eckerd College (FL)
  • Student Public Interest Research Group (IL)

Join Dr. Joanna Huxster, Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies at Eckerd College, and Dan Xie, Political Director for the Student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) for a session on the …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Should We Be Concerned About Almost True Climate Solution Strategies and Policies?

  • University of California, Irvine (CA)

Advocates often oversimplify policy ideas or proposed climate solutions, to make them digestible by those new to an issue or proposed remedy.  However, problems develop when more understanding, evidence, and …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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What Are We Even Doing Here? Empowering Students in the Face of Overlapping Crises

  • University of Oregon (OR)

Teaching and mentoring Gen-Z students can often feel full of cognitive dissonance as we talk about career possibilities or the value of upcycling a t-shirt into a tote bag even …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Renewable Energy and Carbon Offset Discussions: Peer to Peer Strategy Share

  • Chatham University (PA)
  • University at Buffalo (NY)
  • Swarthmore College (PA)
  • Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e (CA)

Renewable energy and carbon offsets are key components for decarbonization and therefore higher education institutions must develop sourcing strategies both to be good stewards to their community and planet as …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Is Carbon Neutrality the Right Goal? Lessons From Leaders in the Second Nature Carbon Commitment

  • Smith College (MA)

The most important number in climate policy is zero – we need to achieve global carbon neutrality as quickly as possible to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Nearly …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Buying Carbon Dioxide Removals

  • Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)

Carbon Dioxide Removals are coming onto the market as an alternative to traditional carbon offsets. Microsoft, Stripe, and Shopify are supporting the development of CDR technologies and companies by vetting …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Preparing Our Urban Forests for Our Changing Climate

  • Urban Forest Initiative (KY)

Urban forests are vital to mitigating the negative effects of climate change to urban residents. Urban trees help reduce storm-water runoff, cool cities, filter air and water pollutants, sequester carbon …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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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

OP 2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Air & Climate Partners

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