University of Florida
IN-3: Innovation 3

The Neutral UF Coalition program is designed to allow faculty and staff employees of the University of Florida to voluntarily offset the carbon impact of their commutes to and from campus. Employee commuting makes up about 6% of UF’s total carbon footprint. UF is working toward major institutional changes to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2025, and the Neutral UF Coalition program provides an easy way for individuals to participate in helping the campus achieve its goal. For most employees at the University of Florida, driving is a necessity. Although we work to promote alternative transportation options whenever possible, we realize and understand that it is not realistic for everyone. The Neutral UF Coalition program is specifically targeted toward those employees who drive to and from campus, but wish to lessen their footprint and environmental impact. Those employees may enroll in voluntary post-tax payroll deductions to offset their commute. Just one dollar per pay period – or $26 a year for 12-month employees – can completely offset the average UF commute. Offsets are a way to invest in actions that reduce climate impacts in one location to make up for (offset) emissions that cannot be avoided in another location. These offsets are created through our local non-profit offset partner, We Are Neutral. 100% of the voluntary deduction amount goes to create these offsets, which fund tree plantings on local conservation land, as well as provide energy retrofits in low-income housing in the local community.

The impact of this program will be quantified via the carbon offsets purchased through this program. The total metric tons of carbon dioxide offset via the Neutral UF Coalition will be tracked and included in UF's campus-wide greenhouse gas inventory.