In some ways, reducing emissions from the campus vehicle fleet
is
the most straightforward aspect of reducing overall
transportation-sector emissions on campus. Basically, there are two
ways to achieve that aim:
- Cutting the GHG emissions spewed from campus vehicles for
each mile traveled
- Reducing VMT's (Vehicle Miles Traveled) by campus
fleet vehicles altogether
Investments in more fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative
fuels
are visible, tangible, and easily-quantifiable ways to reduce
greenhouse pollution. In the case of upgrading to more efficient
vehicles like hybrid-electric vehicles, greater fuel efficiency can
save fuel costs, at the very least "paying for itself" in terms of
fleet upgrade investment. As for alternative fuels, biodiesel,
compressed natural gas and ethanol are proven options - although with
biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, the GHG emissions required to
produce them (i.e. petrochemical fertilizers, motorized farm equipment,
etc.) must also be taken into account. Both can be
carbon neutral if made from waste oil, organic crops, or plant wastes.
Reducing VMT's can be a little more complicated, necessitating
increased attention to operational policies and planning. But the
payoff, both in dollars and in pollution reduction, can be well worth
it. | 
