Greenhouse gas emissions at Elon continued their decline in fiscal year 2010 from baseline measurements taken by the university in 2008. That reduction is the primary finding of the 3rd annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory released this month.
Greenhouse gases were 4.6 percent lower in the most recent inventory in large part due to a decrease in energy consumption. The majority of this reduction took place between fiscal year 2008 and 2009.
However, emissions did decrease slightly between 2009 and 2010, even with an addition of square footage of new campus facilities.
“Conducting a yearly emissions inventory is essential to monitor progress toward Elon’s goal of carbon neutrality set forth in the Sustainability Master Plan,” said Elaine Durr, Elon’s sustainability coordinator.
The Office of Sustainability completed the greenhouse gas emissions inventory with the assistance of a student intern. The process involved collecting data from numerous departments, ranging from the Physical Plant for electricity and natural gas consumption to Human Resources for the number of employees. Many departments and individuals on campus contributed information needed to complete the inventory.
Energy consumption is the largest source of Elon’s greenhouse emissions, accounting for 55 percent of total emissions in the most recent inventory. Transportation ranked second on the list with 41.7 percent of emissions. Transportation includes study abroad travel, commuter travel, fuel use in the university fleet, faculty and staff business travel and athletic team travel.
Commuter travel accounts for 11.6 percent of Elon’s most recent fiscal year emissions. A commuter habit survey was conducted to determine any changes in commuting patterns from the previous survey conducted in 2008. Based on the results, commuting students are making fewer trips to campus in a week, are traveling a shorter distance and are utilizing the Biobus more. Fifty percent carpool about three days a week.
Thirteen percent of faculty and staff carpool to campus. The percentage of staff carpooling to campus has increased based on survey results. Both groups are carpooling about three days a week.
“This most recent greenhouse gas emissions inventory indicates progress toward the goal of carbon neutrality as identified in the Sustainability Master Plan and the near-term interim emission reduction targets identified in Elon’s Climate Action Plan,” Durr said.
The Climate Action Plan was completed in spring 2010 and serves as a roadmap for carrying out projects designed to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. The plan is a living, flexible document that will be revised as technology, research and incentives develop.