2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory & Recommendations for Achieving Carbon Neutrality Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Kate Hale Wilson Faculty Support: Dr. Jim Boulter and Dr. Kim Pierson Student Researchers: Carbon Neutral Team, 2010 Student Presenters: Jason Hansen, Laura Headrick, Steph Mabrey,& Andi Krunnfusz

ACUPCC Presidents Climate Commitment – Achieve climate neutrality (date TBD) – Initiate tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – Publish the climate action plan, emissions inventory, and periodic progress reports

What is eCO 2 ? Equivalent carbon dioxide emissions Standard measurement for global warming potential – Carbon Dioxide – Methane – Nitrous Oxide – Halocarbons – Sulfur Hexafluoride

2010 Total eCO 2 Emissions Total Emissions: 38,870 metric tons eCO 2

eCO 2 Production by Sources 2008 & 2010 (MT)

What is an offset? An offset is a specific project created to reduce emissions. Generally, offsets are purchased by an institution to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality when it is no longer possible for the institution to reduce their emissions any further. They are purchased to offset each metric ton of eCO 2 emitted.

There are 11 qualifications for a program to be considered an offset: If a program meets the first 9 qualifications, then it will be registered by a qualified institution and “retired” meaning that it can no longer be counted as an offset. 1. Real 2. Additional 3. Transparent 4. Measurable 5. Permanent 6. Verifiable 7. Synchronous 8. Account for leakage 9. Not double counted 10. Registered 11. Retired Qualifications For further explanation of these qualifications see:

Cost and Recommendations The cost of an offset can range from as little as $2 to more than $50 per metric ton of eCO 2. There are many methods that the University could employ to reduce its carbon emissions without purchasing offsets. However, there are certain activities such as traveling that will never be carbon-neutral. Therefore, it is recommended that the University consider purchasing offsets to offset the emissions from these activities.

Additional Resources For more information regarding offsets: Carbon Offsets Daily – Carbon Offset Research and Education (CORE) – President’s Climate Commitment Resources – sources/guidance-documents/offset-protocol sources/guidance-documents/offset-protocol

Additional Information For more detailed information, please view the 2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report & Recommendations for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in full at: