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Policy Change
Campus operations are dictated by policies. Day-to-day activities, from purchasing, waste disposal, and public transportation to building operation and maintenance, and even academic requirements, follow policy. "Business as usual" policies serve to continue an institution's trends toward growth, resulting in increased fossil fuel demand and use. In order to reverse this trend and lower carbon emissions, policies in support of procedures that use less fossil fuels, more renewable energy sources, and encourage energy conservation are essential.
Most often, an institution's commitment to campus carbon neutrality is made through adoption of an environmental mission statement. This statement identifies the institution's commitment to sustainability in its operations, and serves as a springboard for other policies in support of carbon neutrality. The Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future maintains a database of Campus Environmental Policies and Mission Statements.
Several policies are essential to establish the tools necessary to implement a Climate Action Plan. First, an organizational framework that establishes responsibility and accountability for climate action work needs to be established. This is usually accomplished by a Sustainability Coordinator or an Office of Sustainability. Policy should designate the goals and objectives of this entity, as well as any requirements regarding campus representation and decision-making. It is important to note that this policy should encourage a "climate of cooperation," a natural result of social capital fostered within the institution. When campus-wide departments and administrators work together with the Sustainability Coordinator or Office toward common goals, carbon reduction programs are much more likely to be successful.
Policies should also establish an information system, or data tracking process, that allows for easy energy use data collection. An institution needs to be able to understand how its campus uses energy in order to answer important questions while developing its Climate Action Plan:
- Where is campus energy use greatest?
- What are the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Where and how can emission reduction be most cost effective?
- What is the return on investment?
In order to set goals and priorities, energy use data for the campus must be readily available. Just as important, energy data needs to be examined after implementation of carbon reduction programs to assess effectiveness and to justify capital costs. A strong energy data tracking system is an invaluable energy management tool, saving time and money and focusing efforts where they are most needed.
Once an institution's Climate Action Plan is initiated, specific policies can be written to instill carbon reduction procedures. Policies become "written in stone," affirming administrative support for an institution's long-term goal of carbon neutrality throughout its operations.
- Conservation: SUNY Buffalo has a conservation energy policy, beginning over 25 years ago, that has documented annual energy dollar savings in excess of $9 million a year.
- Green Building: More than eighteen colleges and universities have adopted "LEED" (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building policies, including the University of Connecticut. Nine have approved policies that require green design for all new buildings.
- Transportation: The University of California, Berkeley, instituted several transportation policies in 2006 aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Its Bicycle Plan provides service and support to those who wish to bike to offices or classes, while its Campus Alternative Transit Programs include subsidized bus passes and car share programs. The latter resulted in an increase in staff bus pass use by 33% in 2005-06.
- Renewable Energy: Eight colleges and universities have adopted clean energy policies, committing to operating on 100% clean energy. These include Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby Colleges, Evergreen State College, New York University, Western Washington University, University of Central Oklahoma, and College of the Atlantic.
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