University of South Florida (Tampa)
PAE-5: Climate Action Plan

USF's climate action plan describes the institutional and policy structure, including specific planning processes, that we will use to develop and implement a long-term climate change mitigation strategy. In addition to regional and global climate change benefits, we anticipate that our action plan will generate broader benefits to the campus and community. For example, energy efficiency programs lower costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing carpooling and public transportation reduces pollution and traffic congestion in addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions Action Steps for the Designed Environment:
A. Campus Design
B. Open Space Network
C. Greenway Expansion
D. Integrated Landscape
E. Forestation
F. Xeriscape Development
G. Waterscape Improvement
H. Irrigation
I. Conservation

As a 2008 signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, the University of South Florida maintains a comprehensive Climate Action Plan and associated Greenhouse Gas Inventory, both adopted by the university’s administration in 2010, Please see: http://acupcc.aashe.org/site_media/uploads/cap/607-cap.pdf

By the year 2050, the University of South Florida will emit 80 percent less carbon dioxide than it did in 2007-2008 (our GHG baseline fiscal year). Beyond 2050, and with the aid of offsets (representing purchased RECs [renewable energy certificates], carbon offsets [CRTs, or carbon reduction tons], and increased carbon sequestration through the expansion of a long-term Greenway project on campus), USF will be ‘climate neutral’ by 2070.

On the way to meeting this goal, USF has three critical benchmarks: 10% reduction by 2015, 20% reduction by 2025, and 50% reduction by 2040. To reach our goal and benchmarks along the way, USF will emphasize certain strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions over time. These strategies are aligned with specific scopes of greenhouse gas emissions to better leverage and focus institutional strengths and to set periodic (five-year) priorities for resource allocations. Between 2010 and 2015, for example, to mitigate Scope 1 emissions we will concentrate on strategies that promote and enhance efficiency for energy produced and used on-campus. We will also address, though with proportionally less emphasis, increasing fleet fuel efficiency (such as through the use of biodiesel and solar cells to improve MPG or MPkWh) and additional xeriscaping (to reduce water use and to mitigate the use of fertilizers). Through 2015, we expect most of our reductions in emissions to come from energy/carbon efficiency. Afterward, we plan to increase emphasis on fuel efficiency, particularly as new technologies are developed and become more cost effective. Similar scenarios are outlined to deal with Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions. The specific strategies we will use are outlined in sections 5-9 of the Climate Action Plan and are organized around the broad themes of the designed and built environments, transportation, energy, and consumption (which include purchasing, waste management, food service, and recycling).