Climate
In 2007, UVM made a strong commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are the drivers of climate change by becoming a charter signatory of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). By signing on to the ACUPCC, President Fogel committed that UVM would become climate-neutral by some specified date and create a climate action plan on how it would achieve this goal.
As part of the short-term actions required by the ACUPCC, UVM has completed an annual GHG inventory. The GHG data for the inventory, which goes back to 1990, is verified by a 2nd party verifier and the data are publicly available on the ACUPCC Reporting website. In January of 2011, after receiving feedback from many stakeholders and incorporating feedback, UVM released its climate action plan (also available on the APUCC Reporting site) to the public. The University has committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2025.
OP Credit 4: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (1.5/2)
The University has completed a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for each year starting in 1990. The inventory includes all scope 1 and 2 emissions (for 1 point) and two aspects of scope 3 emissions (commuting and solid waste disposal) and would receive 1.5 out of 2 total points.
Gioia Thompson, Office of Sustainability Director
UVM Office of Sustainability
OP Credit 5: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (0.84/14)
UVM has reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions (heating, purchased electricity, fleet and agriculture emissions) by 6% from 2005 to 2009, based on per weighted campus user.
Based on the STARS criteria, UVM would receive 0.84 out of a total 14 possible points.
Gioia Thompson, Office of Sustainability Director
UVM Office of Sustainability
Tier Two Credits
Credit 1: Air Travel Offsets (0/0.25)
UVM does not currently have any programs in place to reduce air travel and emissions from air travel are not counted in the greenhouse gas emissions inventory. UVM would receive no points for this credit.
Gioia Thompson, Office of Sustainability Director
UVM Office of Sustainability
N/A
Credit 2: Local Offsets Program (0.25/0.25)
This credit is awarded to institutions that host a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the local community, such as an off-campus weatherization program. The institution may then count the reduced emissions from the community towards its own emissions reduction. The University of Vermont has teamed up with Button Up Vermont (http://buttonupvermont.org/) to host educational workshops designed to help Vermonters understand the steps they can take to make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable.
Gioia Thompson, Office of Sustainability Director
UVM Office of Sustainability
N/A
