CalCAP Implementation at UC Berkeley Lisa McNeilly, UC Berkeley UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference July 2008 August 2, 2008

Early 1990’s: Recycling program started 2003: Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability formed 2004: First Sustainability Summit held 2004: Crossroads Dining becomes Green Business 2005: Water Plan and Campus Sustainability Assessment published; first Sustainability awards given Timeline

April 2005: Petition to Chancellor Birgeneau Dec 2005: CalCAP Steering Committee formed May 2006: Feasibility Study launched March 2007: Study completed April 2007: Reduction Goal announced Dec 2007: Student class results presented Jan 2008: Office of Sustainability formed Timeline

Climate Action Partnership CACS initiated a feasibility study in that led to Chancellor’s Climate Action Commitment in April Inventory Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions Engage with campus decision-makers/stakeholders Analyze GHG emissions reduction scenarios Evaluate options to meet targets Evaluate financial feasibility

Target: Reduce to 1990 Levels by 2014 UC Berkeley Target

2007 UCB Emissions Inventory GHG emissions were approximately 208,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. For a campus population of 49,000, this corresponds to 12 kgCO2/person/day.

Carbon Footprint vs Emissions Inventory

Emissions Reduction Options A. Infrastructure Projects Energy efficiency – e.g. Strategic Energy Plan -- Retrofits (lighting, HVAC), solar, Energy Star B. Behavioral Projects Campus energy efficiency - e.g. Energy conservation campaigns, bike plan C. Renewable Energy Certificates/Credits (RECs) Certificates for electricity from renewable sources – e.g. wind/solar generated electricity, LEED Credit EA 6 D. Carbon Offsets: Methods of reducing carbon emissions (on or off-site) e.g. Methane capture technology

Projects were analyzed for both GHG emissions & financial returns Projects ranked according to 6 criteria: 1. $/Metric ton GHG reduction 2. Capital Cost 3. Annual Savings 4. Simple payback 5. Total Net Present Value 6. Annual GHG Reduction Potential

Where We Stand Now Target: Committed to achieving 1990 levels (165,000 tons) by 2014 –2006 emissions: 206,000 tons –2007 emissions: 208,000 tons –2014 emissions: 225,000 tons (estimated) –At least 14 reduction projects identified –Planned reductions to date: 30,000 tons –~ 50% of needed reductions

Lessons for Inventory Use data you have; improve over time Start with projects you have; improve & add Collaboration and broad participation Remain focused and practical… …Still set ambitious target Leverage energy of students Create institutional structure Shared accountability

Issues and Challenges for Implementation Target and Inventory: Set interim, near-term goals for focus; 10-source & 6-gas inventory Project implementation: Implementation gets complex quickly; Make new friends (on- and off- campus) On-going monitoring and reporting: Data needs vigilance; transparency requires increased reporting; Tracking and incorporating methodology changes and assumptions; Explaining annual changes

Issues and Challenges for Implementation Funding challenges: Diffuse versus centralized sustainability fund Academic context - Turnover of students – student initiative, energy and labor support (Building Cal, LEED EB), faculty engagement Moving Forward – Pursue new information and ideas; Incorporating broader sustainability issues

1) Does it save money? 2) Will it directly reduce environmental impacts? 3) Is it something everyone else is doing? 4) Will it be visible? 5) How many people will be impacted? 6) Can someone else do it better? How To Prioritize