Sustainable Administration Hub: Climate

Current Data

Ohio University has committed to being carbon neutral by the year 2075, but the carbon neutrality data of 2050 is proposed for the 2021 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan (see above).

Carbon emissions are calculated each year and are reported(opens in a new window) to Second Nature, the organization responsible for the Presidents' Carbon Commitment.  Ohio University is a signatory of the Presidents' Carbon Commitment, formerly the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).  Reporting lags by over a year, as carbon emissions for one fiscal year are due May 1 of the next fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) is the baseline year for Ohio University, and emissions have decreased substantially on the Athens Campus since FY12, thanks primarily to:

• energy conservation measures through the Energy Infrastructure Project (EIP),
• fuel switching from coal to all natural gas at the Lausche Heating Plant on Thanksgiving Day, 2015, and
• the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) for 50% of electricity purchases, beginning in January, 2016, and beginning in January, 2021 for 100% of electricity purchases.

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.

 Where we are now (2017): Progress toward 2011 Sustainability Plan

• Benchmark 1: Reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions. Target of 25% reduction by 2030 exceeded (34% reduction occurred by FY17)​

Climate Graphics

Moving Forward: 2017 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Goal #1

Goal 1: Reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions by:

• Decreasing the metric tons equivalent of carbon dioxide (MT e-CO2) from 112,495 to 92,140
  • OHIO greenhouse gas emissions are calculated using SIMAP and are reported to Second Nature annually.  OHIO is a signatory to the Second Nature Carbon Committment and the We Are Still In declaration
• Increasing the percent of MT e-CO2 from FY12 baseline (184281 MT e-CO2) from 34% to 50%
  • Emissions from food are not included in baseline or goal.​

FY26 Projected Emissions

Potential Strategies​

• Reduce emissions by 100% from purchased electricity​

• Incrementally reduce emissions from on-campus stationary sources (not including food), commuting, and paper purchasing ​

• Improved monitoring and reporting of all carbon offsets​

• Replace steam heating with more efficient, lower carbon form of heating​

• Reimagine space utilization and the University’s footprint5. See the Ohio University space utilization strategic initiative​

Benefits of Goal #1 

• Increased economic activity
• Reduced emissions
• Human health benefits 
• Increased environmental resiliency
• Improved reputation

Costs of Goal #1

• Capital expenses
• Operation and management costs

Moving Forward: 2017 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Goal #2

Goal 2: Reduce or eliminate criteria air pollution from stationary (including, but not limited to, central heating & cooling equipment, such as boilers and chillers) and mobile sources, by reducing the tons of EPA criteria air pollutants from 61.7 tons to 58 tons. EPA criteria air pollutants are: nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and lead.

Potential Strategies​

• Create and implement written policy on air pollutant emissions from mobile sources such as from fleet vehicle or lawn care equipment idling​

• Continue corrective and preventative repairs on steam system​

• Increase energy efficiency (see Energy theme goals)​

• Improve energy recovery from all stationary sources​

• Utilize cleaner fuel sources where possible: heating plant, chiller plant, vehicles, lawn care equipment​

Benefits of Goal #2

• Reduced operating expense
• Improved air quality
• Human health benefits 

Costs of Goal #2

• Capital expenses
• Operation and management costs