Ohio University

Climate

Ohio University has committed to being carbon neutral by the year 2075.
Between Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) and FY16, net emissions decreased by 25% on the Athens Campus, thanks primarily to:
  1. ) energy conservation measures through the Energy Infrastructure Project (EIP),
  2. ) fuel switching from coal to all natural gas at the Lausche Heating Plant on Thanksgiving Day, 2015, and
  3. ) the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) for 50% of electricity purchases, beginning in January, 2016.
In 2016, an effort was made to create baseline greenhouse gas emissions across all campuses. Baseline data has been collected from Southern, Chillicothe and Lancaster campuses, and emissions reports are partially completed.
 
The graph below shows the total emissions for the Athens campus of Ohio University from fiscal years 2012 - 2016. Emissions are expected to decrease in FY17 as well.
total emission by metric ton graph.

The graph below shows projections to carbon neutrality for the Athens campus of Ohio University. Each colored area represents a potential pathway to 2075 and depends on the implementation of the initiatives above it in the graph. For example, the blue area shows the emissions-equivalent of offsets that will be needed to reach carbon neutrality goals IF smart growth, recommissioning of buildings, initiatives outlined in the Utility Master Plan and electric grid alternative energy growth are ALL implemented.

Emissions projection graph.