| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.26 |
| Liaison | Megan Litke |
| Submission Date | Feb. 12, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
American University
PAE-5: Climate Action Plan
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Chris
O'Brien Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Does the institution have a plan to mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions that meets the criteria for this credit?:
Yes
None
A brief summary of the climate plan’s long-term goals:
Carbon neutral by 2020.
None
A brief summary of the climate plan’s short-term goals:
Adopted Tangible Actions:
1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent.
Yes: Green building policy is in effect. To access policy: http://www.american.edu/policies/upload/Green-Building-Policy.pdf
2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.
Yes: Sustainable purchasing policy is in effect. Policy can be accessed at: http://www.american.edu/policies/upload/Sustainable-Purchasing-Policy.pdf. For specific language documenting the requirement of purchase of EnergySTAR rated products, see policy addendum.
3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.
Yes: Proposed policies are in development.
4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution.
Yes: The university operates a free shuttle bus service for students, faculty and staff between three campus locations and DC's metro train system. The university operates a fleet of vans and offers a car sharing program (Zipcars) to enable student access to community commercial and volunteer opportunities. In addition, the university offers a bicycle lending program and a car pool matching program (Zimride) to support sustainable university commuting.
5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources.
Yes: The university is currently purchasing renewable energy certificates to offset carbon from 100% of campus electrical use. We also have a steam turbine on campus to utilize waste heat from the university's central steam plant to produce electricity on campus.
6. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.
Yes: AU participates in the RecycleMania competition. To access RecycleMania profile: http://recyclemaniacs.org/university_detail08.asp?ID=617.
Waste reduction measures include:
adopting a Zero Waste Policy
establishing a campus organics collection program
establishing a campus recycling program
establishing a campus surplus exchange and reuse system
promoting inter-office reusable envelopes for campus mail
replacing paper materials with online alternatives, e.g. new student orientation packet, telephone directory, course catalog, and more
discourage unlimited printing in computer labs and copy rooms by charging for copies
offering discounts for using reusable mugs in campus dining operations
using bulk condiment dispensers instead of single serving packages in dining operations
None
Year the climate plan was formally adopted or approved:
2,010
None
An indication of whether institution has made a commitment to reduce GHG emissions a specific amount by a target year:
---
None
List which emissions (scope 1, 2, and/or 3) are included in its GHG emissions commitment:
1,2,3
None
The reduction level (percentage) institution has committed to:
100
None
The baseline year the institution used in its GHG emissions commitment:
April 30, 2009
None
The baseline emissions level institution used in its GHG emissions commitment:
61,321
None
The target year the institution specified in its GHG emissions commitment :
Jan. 1, 2020
None
The website URL where information about the climate plan is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
See our carbon neutrality plan for more information http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=1812784
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.