| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.74 |
| Liaison | Justin Owen |
| Submission Date | July 22, 2024 |
Weber State University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Jennifer
Bodine Sustainability Specialist Facilities Management |
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
In 2007, Weber State University signed the President Climate Leadership Commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. WSU has turned the challenge of cutting carbon emissions into an opportunity not only to reduce emissions, but to capture an excellent return on investment (ROI). To date WSU has cut carbon emissions by over 40%, while cutting utility cost by over 50%.
By implementing an emissions strategy combined with an ROI strategy, WSU has leveraged an initial revolving loan fund of $5 million as a way to recapture over $23 million in utility savings. WSU’s careful analysis of economic returns alongside carbon reductions has not only ensured funding for energy, water and other sustainability upgrades, but has proved the value of climate-friendly approaches to the University’s administrators.
Weber State University is ahead of schedule, and is project to reach carbon neutrality by 2040. This goal includes achieving carbon neutrality for all of WSU’s scope 1, scope 2, and the following scope 3 emissions: student and employee commuting, waste, and business travel. The detailed strategy to achieve this goal can be found in the updated Climate Action plan found here.
WSU's 5-Point Strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040:
Efficiency First - Minimize energy consumption in buildings through high insulation requirements, efficient windows, LED lighting, with water cooled, ground sourced variable refrigerant flow (VRF) for HVAC and energy recover ventilation. Currently 70% of campus is LED and 37% is VRF.
Electrify Everything - Elimination of fossil fuels is the biggest challenge on the path to carbon neutrality. WSU is electrifying all end uses of energy on its campus, including traditionally fossil fuel based processes such as heating and transportation. When done properly, these systems result in lower operational costs, lower maintenance costs, greater efficiency, and improved occupant comfort. Electrification eliminates the need for direct fossil fuel uses and allows buildings to be carbon neutral capable.
Source Renewably - Once a building is electrified and carbon neutral capable, becoming carbon neutral is a question of the sourcing of electricity. For WSU, two sources of renewable energy complete the puzzle. Groundsource fields will eventually supply all of the campus’s required energy for heating and cooling. Solar energy will generate as much renewable power on site as possible, and any remaining electricity will be sourced through utility wind and solar programs.
Reinvest Savings - WSU utilizes a number of funding sources including state capital improvement funds, internal capital development funds, state and federal grants, utility rebates, and WSU’s revolving green fund. This green fund is $5 million of the university’s cash management fund that is set aside for energy projects. The university effectively borrows from itself, runs the account into a deficit, then pays off the debt with annual energy savings and an additional 3% interest payment.
Carbon Offsets - WSU recognizes that carbon offsets must be purchased in order to reach carbon nuetrality, but it is a last resort solution.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Buildings
Energy
Optional Fields
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Second Point of Distinction
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
The Green Badge program incentivizes students, faculty, and staff to make their lives more sustainable and increase their knowledge of 9 different aspects of sustainability by earning monthly badges. Each month focuses on a different aspect of sustainability, and participants earn badges by completing actions related to that theme. Available actions include various options such as attending virtual and in-person events, reading/watching educational material, making changes at home, volunteering, and more. Faculty, staff and students can learn how to earn badges, prizes and recognition. Badges include:
January - Food Sustainability
February - Education and Outreach
March - Energy and Climate
April - Water Sustainability
May, June, July, August (Summer Term) - Biodiversity
September - Air Quality
October - Social Sustainability
November - Zero Waste
December - Health and Wellness
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Third Point of Distinction
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Water is a precious resource in Utah's arid desert climate. Weber State University is working to conserve water and to enhance water handling on campus for cleaner, safer water for everyone. WSU's Water Action Plan was developed in 2018 using water consumption data for the previous 3 fiscal years to ensure an accurate depiction of campus usage. This plan addresses both culinary and secondary water usage and reduction taking both STARS and Utah DWR goals and standards into consideration.
Weber State University Water Goal Progress
| Goal | Goal Year | 2023 Consumption (Gallons) | % Reduction from Baseline |
| STARS 1: Reduce culinary consumption by 30% per Weighted Campus User (WCU) | 2025 | 58,853,466 | 10% |
| STARS 2: Reduce culinary consumption by 30% per square foot. | 2025 | 58,853,466 | 21% |
| STARS 3: Reduce TOTAL water consumption by 30% per vegetated acre | 2025 | 115,117,305 | 28% |
| Utah DWR: Reduce TOTAL M&I consumption by 20% gallons per capita | 2025 | 115,117,305 | 23% |
The percentage of reduction on each goal reflects progress as of FY 2023 in comparison to baseline measurements taken from 2018.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Water
Coordination & Planning
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
All information and data can be found on Weber State University's Sustainability pages. There are other programs available to peruse through Weber State including the Intermountain Sustainability Summit, waste reduction and food sustainability programs, electric bus availability, and more.
Water Action Plan Information can be found in the linked pdf and was garnered in conversation with Drew Hodge, WSU Water Conservation and Sustainability Specialist.
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.