Greenhouse gas emissions on the University of Idaho campus have decreased 12.5 percent since 2005, a recent inventory conducted by the university showed.
The inventory is conducted annually at most universities in accordance with the requirements set by the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. It essentially measures the university’s
carbon footprint.
Spencer Batt, a research assistant at the UI Sustainability Center, spearheaded the UI greenhouse gas inventory this year.
“Think of me as a greenhouse gas accountant, adding up cumulative emissions for the calendar year,” Batt said.
The university has been conducting the inventory since 2005, when it made a commitment to curbing its greenhouse gas emissions by signing the Talloires Declaration. Greenhouse gas emissions peaked at UI in 2008, but have been on a steady decline since then. According to Batt, seven years is a very short time for a study period — but progress is
progress nonetheless.
“It’s our attempt to make a difference,” Batt said. “We are an institution of higher education, and we feel that climate change is no longer controversial. From 101 classes to upper level classes, here at the University of Idaho, we collectively believe that climate change
is happening.”
A 12.5 percent decrease is a reduction of 4,718 metric tons of carbon dioxide production, according to the sustainability center. With the data collected in the inventory, the university will move forward to create an emissions reduction action plan in
the spring.
“The Climate Action Plan is our effort to move forward and provide an example,” Batt said. “We are stewards of education — we want to perpetuate healthy
environmental habits.”
According to Brian Johnson, UI assistant vice president for facilities, the action plan categorizes emissions into three categories: direct emissions, such as the kind from vehicles and refrigeration systems; indirect emissions, such as the kind produced from generating electricity; and miscellaneous emissions such as university-funded air travel and waste disposal generated from
livestock production.
Cutbacks on indirect emissions were the greatest contributor to the university’s greenhouse gas reduction, Johnson said. The reduction was done by upgrading lighting and retrofitting outdated technology in
older buildings.
“Everyone wants to reduce their energy bill,” Johnson said. “If your resources are tight, it gets hard to make significant gains — you can make limited gains, though, through education of campus users. Turn off your lights, turn off your computer … but you’ll have limited progress you can make with that.”
Johnson and Batt agree that reduced greenhouse gas emissions mean lower energy bills, lower waste and ultimately, lower costs.
“It’s common sense to be sustainable,” Batt said. “It has nothing to do with any political agenda — it’s just doing your best with what you have around you.”