University of Connecticut
PAE-5: Climate Action Plan

Overview of Emissions Mitigation Strategies from the UConn CAP:

Overview of Proposed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategies, Energy-Related Strategies. Energy-related strategies form the ‘heart’ of the University’s Climate Action Plan. According to the 2007 UConn Storrs Campus greenhouse gas inventory, energy related emissions accounted for approximately 1 Greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential of a proposed strategy is described in terms of the estimated percent reduction in current emission levels. Emissions reduction ratings noted in this version of the Climate Action Plan are based upon the potential of the proposed strategy to reduce 2007 emission levels. A strategy with an ‘excellent’ emissions reduction potential is estimated to avoid more than 10,630 MTeCO2. It is estimated that strategies rated ‘Good’ and ‘Limiting’ will reduce 2,126-10,630 and less than 2,126 MTeCO2, respectively.

86% of the University’s greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of these emissions occurred in association with the operation of the University cogeneration facility (i.e., electricity and steam generation). Other on-campus stationary sources (e.g., emergency generators, large boilers and stand-alone chillers) and purchased electricity also contributed, to a lesser extent, to the campus emissions profile. Given the significant proportion of the UConn Storrs Campus’s emissions profile that is related to campus energy use, energy efficiency improvements will serve as the foundation of campus emissions reductions efforts, especially in the near future. In addition, since the cogeneration facility will serve as the primary energy source for the Storrs campus over the next 20-30 years, the University will strive to operate the facility at maximum efficiency and reliability. Energy conservation and the exploration of alternative fuels will also remain high priorities.

In general, the University’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan relies upon five primary objectives:
1. Plan for the future (i.e., future demand, future technology improvements, etc.).
2. Reduce demand.
3. Increase efficiency.
4. Substitute green technology for existing technologies.
5. Demonstrate alternative technologies.

The Energy portion of this section further elaborates upon the individual emissions reduction strategies identified to achieve the objectives above.

Sustainable Development-Related Strategies Emissions due to campus energy use can also be indirectly addressed through sustainable development, notably through building design and construction. In addition, sustainable development related strategies can help reduce campus emissions associated with campus land use (e.g., landscaping, agriculture, and forestry), water use (i.e., pumping, distribution and treatment) and waste disposal.

The design of the campus, in particular, how the University chooses to develop or conserve land in the future, has the potential to greatly influence the greenhouse gas inventory. It is therefore recommended that the University continue to abide by the responsible growth policies that have guided recent campus projects. In particular, the University should emphasize growth strategies and patterns that will:

• Opt for re-development of built parcels over the development of forest or other hydric or vegetated landscapes;
• Encourage mixed use development;
• Promote ‘alternative’ forms of transportation, including walking, bicycling, and public transportation, while discouraging
• single-occupancy-vehicle (SOV) trips; and
• Integrate green building and alternative energy design features whenever feasible.

Additional strategies that the University should pursue to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions include:

1. Greening the campus building and renovation process;
2. Managing the campus forest to maximize carbon sequestration;
3. Refining campus agricultural practices to minimize fuel and chemical inputs, while maximizing sequestration;
4. Minimizing the carbon footprint of campus landscaping;
5. Embodying and implementing low impact development (LID) principles;
6. Maximizing water conservation and reuse; and
7. Increasing campus recycling and waste reduction rates.

The ‘Sustainable Development’ portion of this section provides additional details regarding these campus greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

Transportation-Related Strategies
The final piece of the University’s greenhouse gas emissions profile is related to transportation, specifically emissions associated with operation of the on-campus vehicle fleet; faculty, staff and student commuting to and from campus; and off-campus travel (e.g., rental cars, air travel). Therefore, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with these transportation sources, the University will strive to achieve four main objectives:

1. Decrease annual vehicle fleet fuel use (e.g., gasoline, diesel);
2. Increase the proportion of renewable fuel sources (e.g., biodiesel) in annual fuel use;
3. Decrease annual commuter vehicle miles travelled to campus;
4. Minimize the impact of off-campus travel.

The ‘Transportation’ portion of this section provides additional details regarding campus greenhouse gas reduction strategies designed to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with campus transportation systems and university-related travel.

Conclusion
It will be the role of the Environmental Policy Advisory Council (EPAC) to prioritize implementation of the strategies proposed in this section. Evaluation criteria and ratings for each emissions reduction strategy are provided throughout this section to assist the EPAC with this task. The emissions reduction strategies and associated ratings are based upon the following assumptions about the University over the next 30-40 years.

1. There will be no significant changes in student enrollment.
2. The nature and delivery of education at the University will remain consistent.
3. The cogeneration facility will serve as the primary energy source for the campus.
However, circumstances change over time, and it is therefore recommended that the list of proposed emissions reduction strategies be reviewed on a regular basis (e.g., 5-7 years) to provide an opportunity to revise the ratings, and, if applicable, to allow for inclusion of previously overlooked emissions reduction strategies.

Overview of Proposed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategies
Energy-Related Strategies
Energy-related strategies form the ‘heart’ of the University’s Climate Action Plan. According to the 2007 UConn Storrs Campus greenhouse gas inventory, energy related emissions accounted for approximately1 Greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential of a proposed strategy is described in terms of the estimated percent reduction in current emission levels. Emissions reduction ratings noted in this version of the Climate Action Plan are based upon the potential of the proposed strategy to reduce 2007 emission levels. A strategy with an ‘excellent’ emissions reduction potential is estimated to avoid more than 10,630 MTeCO2. It is estimated that strategies rated ‘Good’ and ‘Limiting’ will reduce 2,126-10,630 and less than 2,126 MTeCO2, respectively.

86% of the University’s greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of these emissions occurred in association with the operation of the University cogeneration facility (i.e., electricity and steam generation). Other on-campus stationary sources (e.g., emergency generators, large boilers and stand-alone chillers) and purchased electricity also contributed, to a lesser extent, to the campus emissions profile.

Given the significant proportion of the UConn Storrs Campus’s emissions profile that is related to campus energy use, energy efficiency improvements will serve as the foundation of campus emissions reductions efforts, especially in the near future. In addition, since the cogeneration facility will serve as the primary energy source for the Storrs campus over the next 20-30 years, the University will strive to operate the facility at maximum efficiency and reliability. Energy conservation and the exploration of alternative fuels will also remain high priorities.

In general, the University’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan relies upon five primary objectives:
1. Plan for the future (i.e., future demand, future technology improvements, etc.).
2. Reduce demand.
3. Increase efficiency.
4. Substitute green technology for existing technologies.
5. Demonstrate alternative technologies.
The Energy portion of this section further elaborates upon the individual emissions reduction strategies identified to achieve the objectives above.

Sustainable Development-Related Strategies
Emissions due to campus energy use can also be indirectly addressed through sustainable development, notably through building design and construction. In addition, sustainable development related strategies can help reduce campus emissions associated with campus land use (e.g., landscaping, agriculture, and forestry), water use (i.e., pumping, distribution and treatment) and waste disposal.

The design of the campus, in particular, how the University chooses to develop or conserve land in the future, has the potential to greatly influence the greenhouse gas inventory. It is therefore recommended that the University continue to abide by the responsible growth policies that have guided recent campus projects. In particular, the University should emphasize growth strategies and patterns that will:
• Opt for re-development of built parcels over the development of forest or other hydric or vegetated landscapes;
• Encourage mixed use development;
• Promote ‘alternative’ forms of transportation, including walking, bicycling, and public transportation, while discouraging single-occupancy-vehicle (SOV) trips; and
• Integrate green building and alternative energy design features whenever feasible.

Additional strategies that the University should pursue to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions include:

1. Greening the campus building and renovation process;
2. Managing the campus forest to maximize carbon sequestration;
3. Refining campus agricultural practices to minimize fuel and chemical inputs, while maximizing sequestration;
4. Minimizing the carbon footprint of campus landscaping;
5. Embodying and implementing low impact development (LID) principles;
6. Maximizing water conservation and reuse; and
7. Increasing campus recycling and waste reduction rates.
The ‘Sustainable Development’ portion of this section provides additional details regarding these campus greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

Transportation-Related Strategies
The final piece of the University’s greenhouse gas emissions profile is related to transportation, specifically emissions associated with operation of the on-campus vehicle fleet; faculty, staff and student commuting to and from campus; and off-campus travel (e.g., rental cars, air travel). Therefore, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with these transportation sources, the University will strive to achieve four main objectives:
1. Decrease annual vehicle fleet fuel use (e.g., gasoline, diesel);
2. Increase the proportion of renewable fuel sources (e.g., biodiesel) in annual fuel use;
3. Decrease annual commuter vehicle miles travelled to campus;
4. Minimize the impact of off-campus travel.

The ‘Transportation’ portion of this section provides additional details regarding campus greenhouse gas reduction strategies designed to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with campus transportation systems and university-related travel.

Conclusion
It will be the role of the Environmental Policy Advisory Council (EPAC) to prioritize implementation of the strategies proposed in this section. Evaluation criteria and ratings for each emissions reduction strategy are provided throughout this section to assist the EPAC with this task. The emissions reduction strategies and associated ratings are based upon the following assumptions about the University over the next 30-40 years:
1. There will be no significant changes in student enrollment.
2. The nature and delivery of education at the University will remain consistent.
3. The cogeneration facility will serve as the primary energy source for the campus.
However, circumstances change over time, and it is therefore recommended that the list of proposed emissions reduction strategies be reviewed on a regular basis (e.g., 5-7 years) to provide an opportunity to revise the ratings, and, if applicable, to allow for inclusion of previously overlooked emissions reduction strategies.

Target year 2050 for carbon neutrality goal.

For our baseline emissions level, in 2007, the appropriate data on actual emissions was not available. In 2011, UConn started compiling data for the Environmental Protection Agency; going forward, the GHG calculations represent actual rather than potential emissions. As a result, the 2007 baseline emissions numbers are much higher than they were in reality, and the Climate Action Plan goals are adapted accordingly.