| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.95 |
| Liaison | Daryl Pierson |
| Submission Date | June 30, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Portland State University
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Molly
Bressers Program & Outreach Coordinator Campus Sustainability Office |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Travel Offset Program
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A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
The Campus Sustainability Office has created a travel offset program designed to help mitigate the greenhouse gas impacts of University business travel by investing in on-campus campus emissions reductions.
University travel was responsible for 7922 MTCO2e or approximately 6% of total campus emissions in fiscal year 2014. Rather than buy 3rd party offsets that invest in offsite carbon reductions, we are putting that money right into campus efficiency improvements through our Green Revolving fund. Additionally, the approximate price per ton of carbon ($30) is more in line with the Obama administration's estimated Social Cost of Carbon ($36/ton).
From the airplane flight itself and ground transportation, to the emissions embodied in the lodging and food services that make a business trip, travel creates emissions impacts in several ways. The goal of the travel offset program is to mitigate those impacts by setting aside funds to lower our campus’s greenhouse gas emissions in other ways through efficiency improvements right here at home.
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A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
19 campus departments (containing 500+ staff) participating with 2% of total travel expenditures allocated to the Green Revolving Fund. Fund has supported 10+ efficiency projects.
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A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
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Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | --- |
| Research | --- |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services | --- |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | --- |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
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Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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