Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.17
Liaison Megan Litke
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

American University
IN-26: Innovation C

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Hannah Moskowitz
Sustainability Analyst
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Study Abroad Specific Offset Investment

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

AU took a major step towards the 2020 carbon neutrality goal by investing in a project to offset study abroad-related travel emissions. 7,000 Metric Tons of CO2 equivalents Carbon offsets were purchased in FY17 to offset our Scope 3 study abroad emissions. To specifically offset emissions from study abroad- related travel, AU invested in the Paradigm Project, which benefits communities in Africa by empowering women, providing jobs for women, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through reduced deforestation due to more efficient cook stoves. AU's investment in the carbon offsets from this project enables the Paradigm Project to offer financial assistance to families in Kenya to help pay for wood-burning cook stoves as well as help to expand the project's distribution channels. The stoves are designed to burn wood more efficiency, which reduces the amount of firewood the women in the community need to collect as well as improving indoor air quality for families.

This project was chosen, in part, as it is one of AU’s premiere study abroad examples and is one of the most important sites abroad. Students studying at the Nairobi Center now have the opportunity to see AU’s commitment to sustainable development first-hand.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Curriculum
Air & Climate
Transportation

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.