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