Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory & Recommendations for Achieving Carbon Neutrality

2010

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory & Recommendations for Achieving Carbon

Neutrality

Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Kate Hale WilsonFaculty Support: Dr. Jim Boulter and Dr. Kim PiersonStudent Researchers: Carbon Neutral Team, 2010

Student Presenters: Jason Hansen, Laura Headrick, Steph Mabrey,& Andi Krunnfusz

Offsets

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 eCO2?

• Equivalent carbon dioxide emissions• Standard measurement for global warming

potential– Carbon Dioxide– Methane– Nitrous Oxide– Halocarbons– Sulfur Hexafluoride

2010 Total eCO2 Emissions

Total Emissions: 38,870 metric tons eCO2

35%

33%

21%

11%HeatingElectricityTransportationSolid Waste & Chemicals

eCO2 Production by Sources 2008 & 2010 (MT)

Heating

Electr

icity &

Cooling

Transporta

tion

Waste &

Chemica

ls

Offsets

Total

eCO2-5,000

05,000

10,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,00045,000

16,07520,002

5,380

105

-2,284

39,278

13,77112,707

8,2474,142

0

38,870

20082010

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 eCO2 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. Real2. Additional3. Transparent4. Measurable5. Permanent6. Verifiable

7. Synchronous8. Account for leakage9. Not double counted10. Registered11. Retired

Qualifications

http://www2.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/documents/ACUPCCVoluntaryCarbonOffsetProtocol_Nov08.pdf

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 eCO2.

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– http://www.carbonoffsetsdaily.com/

• Carbon Offset Research and Education (CORE)– http://www.co2offsetresearch.org/

• President’s Climate Commitment Resources– http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/re

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:

http://www.uwec.edu/Sustainability/plans/index.htm