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2012 Progress Report Duke’s Sustainability Strategic Plan

Duke's Sustainability Strategic Plan Progress Report

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The 2012 progress report for Duke's Sustainability Strategic Plan, including the Climate Action Plan.

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Page 1: Duke's Sustainability Strategic Plan Progress Report

2012 Progress Report � � �

Duke’s SustainabilityStrategic Plan

Page 2: Duke's Sustainability Strategic Plan Progress Report

In 2007, Duke President Richard H. Brodhead signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), committing theUniversity to developing an institutional plan to achieve climate neutrality.

The Campus Sustainability Committee (CSC), with student, faculty and staffrepresentatives, was established immediately afterward to develop Duke’sClimate Action Plan (CAP). The 2009 CAP primarily tackled Duke’s carbonfootprint, setting goals and creating strategies to achieve them in Energy,Transportation, and Carbon Offsets. In addition to aggressively retoolinginfrastructural operations, the CAP also focused on Education andCommunication because climate neutrality, and ultimately sustainability, isimpossible without the community’s cooperation and active participation.

In 2011, the Campus Sustainability Committee began the expansion of theClimate Action Plan into a broader Sustainability Strategic Plan that assesses thebaseline and develops targets for other elements of campus sustainability suchas water, waste and recycling, food, supply chain management and land use.

The process of developing the Sustainability Strategic Plan will be a multi-yearinitiative and will create a comprehensive road-map for Duke’s futuresustainability efforts. The following information provides a progress report on the elements of the Sustainability Strategic Plan and the areas of focus for the immediate future.

Target: Climate Neutral by 2024As part of the Climate Action Plan, Duke was charged to set a target date tobecome climate neutral. This date was carefully chosen to balance financialimplications with the desire for near‐term action that could have a moresignificant effect on global climate change. The University also considered yearsthat have a particular significance beyond greenhouse gas emissions to furtherengage the campus community. The year 2024, the 100th anniversary of theJames B. Duke’s Indenture of Trust, was chosen as an appropriate year to bothcommemorate Duke’s history and its future as a climate neutral campus.

Introduction

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Duke set a target of becomingclimate neutral by 2024, the 100thanniversary of James B. Duke’sIndenture of Trust to establish the university.

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Goals� Aggressively pursue on-campus efforts to reachestablished milestones for emission reductions for carbon neutrality by 2024.

� Generate local carbon offsets to support Duke’s goal ofbecoming a climate neutral campus while supportingdevelopment of the local carbon offsets market in waysthat protect the environment, promote public health andencourage the local economy.

Looking Forward� Continue implementation of on-campus carbon reductionstrategies set forth in the CAP, including energy andtransportation emission reduction efforts.

� Optimize the Loyd Ray Farms System, including gasconditioning, ammonia control, and cost reductions whileexploring other swine bio-gas opportunities in N.C.

� Continue analysis of other potential offset projects,including community energy efficiency and peatlandhydrology restoration.

ProgressEmissions:

� 2010: 9% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissionsfrom 2007 baseline.

� 2011: 11% reduction in GHG emissions from 2007 baseline.

� 2012: 16% reduction in GHG emissions from 2007 baseline.

Offsets:

� 2009: Duke created the Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative(DCOI) – the first university-sponsored carbon offsetsprogram in the U.S – to develop a strategy for meetingDuke’s offset goals in a way that provides significant local

environmental, economic, and societal co-benefits beyondthe benefits of greenhouse gas emission reductions.

� 2011: DCOI, partnering with Duke Energy and Google,begins operations at Loyd Ray Farms in Yadkin County,N.C., to collect methane released from hog waste and burnit to create electricity to support the operation of aninnovative waste-to-energy system as well as five of thefarm’s nine barns. The system is expected to keep 5,000MTCO2e out of the atmosphere and generate 500 MWhs ofelectricity annually.

� 2012: Underwent first verification of offsets from Loyd RayFarms project. Loyd Ray Farms Renewable Energy Credits(RECs) were the first swine RECs registered in fulfillmentof N.C. Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

In 2007, Duke established a baseline of carbon emissions of 338, 828 MTCO2e as part of the Climate Action Plan. If Duke continuedbusiness as usual from that time, the University’s emissions are projected to more than double by 2050.

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2024, Duke is focusing on a combination of emission reductions efforts on campus and the developmentof local carbon offsets through the Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative to address its remaining emissions.

Emissions & Carbon Offsets

2010 – 10% 2030 – 70%

2015 – 21% 2035 – 74%

2020 – 45% 2040 – 79%

2024 – 45% 2045 – 83%

2025 – 45% 2050 – 88%

Milestones in emissions reductions:

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Duke University GHG Emissions Since CAP

Business As Usual

DukeUniversityGHGEmissions

Duke’s carbon reduction the last five years has led to a 16% decrease in the campus GHGfootprint – from a baseline of 338,828 MTCO2e in FY07 to 285,580 MTCO2e in FY12. Thisreduction was due in large part to energy efficiency efforts and fuel changes in thesteam plants that included eliminating coal in 2011.

Duke University, Duke Energy andGoogle partnered with a YadkinCounty, N.C., swine farmer to pilot a waste-to-energy system thatconverts swine waste intoelectricity, creates carbon offsets,and meets stringent environmentalperformance standards. Theproject received funding fromfederal and state sources. Bycapturing greenhouse gases fromhog waste and burning them to run a turbine, the system producesenough electricity to power 35homes for a year. It is expected tobe able to prevent the release ofgreenhouse gases the equivalent of 5,000 metric tons CO2 per year,which is similar to removing 900cars from the road

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Goals� All new construction and major renovation will be certifiedwith a goal of LEED Silver.

� Continue implementation of energy conservationmeasures in existing buildings with the goal to realize a 15% reduction in energy use over the next 20 years.

� Manage natural resources such as land and water toreduce the environmental impact on campus and in thesurrounding community.

Looking Forward� Finalize energy and water targets for Duke’s LEED PlusPolicy for all new construction at Duke.

� Continue implementation of energy efficiency projectsidentified through campus audits including lab ventilationreduction measures, metering upgrades, site lightingimprovements and building retro-commissioning.

� Focus water reduction strategies on the top 20 buildingsthat account for approximately 70% of water use at Duke, residence halls to educate students, and exploreeducational opportunities for the entire campuscommunity regarding water conservation.

� Finalize permitting and begin construction of a waterreclamation pond that will provide approximately 100million gallons of non-potable water to Duke’s ChilledWater Plant.

ProgressBuildings:

� 2012: Duke has 25 LEED certified buildings and 10 registeredbuildings pursuing certification. This represents 4.9 milliongross square feet or 29% of the total 16.9 gross squarefeet of building space on campus.

Land Use:

� 2010: Construction began on Phase 4 of Duke UniversityWetland Center’s Stream and Wetland AssessmentManagement Park (SWAMP) to implement a newrestoration technique. The SWAMP project, to restore aneight-acre ecosystem, is an outdoor classroom and fieldlaboratory for the campus. Phase 4 will improve waterquality across 210 acres of the Cape Fear River watershed.

� 2012: Duke was recognized for the fourth straight year as a Tree Campus USA.

Energy:

� 2010: The abandoned East Campus Steam Plant is re-commissioned as a high efficiency natural gas plant.

� 2011: Duke’s West Campus Steam Plant exhausted its

remaining coal supply, ending coal use on campus, andbegan conversion to a more efficient, natural gas plant.

� 2011: Solar thermal system is installed at the Bryan Centerproviding 40% of the building’s hot water for bathrooms,dining facilities, and other uses.

� 2012: Duke has realized an 18% reduction in energy related greenhouse gas emissions compared to thebaseline of 2007.

Water:

� Since 2006, Duke has reduced potable water usage by 25% despite campus growth.

� In 2010, the University dug cisterns and wells exclusivelyfor Chiller Plant 2 that provide over 40 million gallons ofalternative water for the plant, accounting for 33% of theplant’s annual operations and reducing the University’soverall demand on Durham’s water by almost 9%.

� Williams Field (East Campus, Field Hockey) can hold up to60,000 gallons of recaptured rainwater in tanks below thefield, enough to provide 100% of the irrigation needs. Thesoccer and lacrosse field on West Campus has also beenretrofitted with rainwater capture units for irrigation.

Duke’s infrastructure – including energy, buildings, land use and water – represents some of the greatest opportunities todecrease carbon emissions and enhance sustainability on campus.

While Duke purchases all its electricity from Duke Energy and has little control over this portion of the campus greenhouse gasfootprint, Duke has made a significant impact on energy use by centralizing the production and distribution of chilled water to increaseelectrical efficiency by 20% prior to the development of the Climate Action Plan. Similarly, Duke has pledged that all new Universityconstruction would be LEED Silver or higher and adopted new policies and plans to better manage land and water resources.

Infrastructure

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Coal Burned on Campus

Coal (ton)

Before converting its coal-fired steam plant to natural gas, Duke burned an average of50,000 tons of coal annually.

The East Campus steam plant, which was built in 1926,underwent a $25 millionrenovation to convert it fromburning coal to natural gas.The plant, which had beenclosed since 1978, reopenedin 2010. The conversion fromcoal, combined with systemefficiency improvements, hasresulted in a 40% reductionin GHG emissions from Duke’ssteam plants since 2007.

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Goals� 6% reduction in transportation-related greenhouse gasemissions (over 2007 baseline) in 2012 through investmentin alternative transportation options.

� Assess Duke’s baseline recycling and waste reductionefforts and create meaningful goals to increase recyclingand reduce the total campus waste stream.

� Revise Duke’s current environmentally preferablepurchasing policy to make it more accessible and usefulfor campus purchasers while exploring opportunities tofurther green Duke’s supply chain.

Looking Forward� Increase participation in alternative transportationthrough targeted marketing to campus constituents,continued coordination with regional transportationefforts, and parking price disincentives.

� Continue replacing the campus fleet with lower emissionalternatives and reducing the number of vehicles in the fleet.

� Assess baseline efforts in waste and recycling, procurementand food to inform development of specific targets.

ProgressTransportation:

� 2010: Replaced 10 campus buses with two hybridarticulated buses and 6 ultra-low-sulfur diesel buses thatemit less GHGs than their predecessors. The increasedcapacity allows movement of more passengers in fewertrips, further reducing emissions.

� 2012: More that 1,300 students and employees have signedup for WeCar, a membership-based car-sharing program toencourage students to leave their cars at home. Duke’sWeCar fleet now has 16 vehicles, including four electricChevrolet Volts.

� 2012: Duke now has more that 7,000 GoPass holders whocan use fare-free access to regional public transportation.

� 2012: Transportation emissions from employee commutingand air travel have proved harder than expected to impactand have risen 12% from a 2007 baseline despiteconcerted focus on improving alternative options.

Food & Dining:

� 2011: Duke Campus Farm is established as a one-acreproduction farm and educational facility dedicated toproviding the Duke community with fresh, sustainableproduce and creating a living-learning laboratory aroundall things food and agriculture.

� The farm generated 6,400 pounds of produce in its firstfull year of operation with all the food served in campusdining halls.

� 2012: Composting food waste becomes the norm for all 32 of the campus eateries.

Waste & Recycling:

� 2010: Duke University Free Store expanded efforts toprovide office supplies not needed by a department at no charge to other departments and students.

� 2007-2012: All first-year students and their familiesparticipate in a waste-free picnic as part of orientation.

� 2012: Duke now services nearly 1,600 recycling binsaround campus, and members of the Duke communityparticipate in numerous recycling and reuse programs,such as Recycle for the Children at football games andMove Out for Charity at the end of spring semester.

Procurement:

� Duke established a partnership with Staples Advantage toidentify and label “Green” office products and committedto purchasing Energy Star Certified Appliances andElectronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool(EPEAT) Certified Computers.

� Duke Surplus Program processes, decommissions anddonates previously-used office, electronic and laboratoryitems for repurposing in other departments or localcharities, only recycling when no repurposing options are available. In 2012, Duke Surplus donated more than10,000 items and recycled more than 350,000 lbs. ofelectronic waste.

Duke’s campus operations – including transportation, dining, waste/recycling, and procurement – help support more than 35,000employees, 15,000 students and thousands of patients and visitors coming to campus each day. Through concerted efforts, Duke hasmade great strides to make these operations more sustainable.

Campus Operations

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n Drive Alone 74%

n Carpool (2+)/dropped off 10%

n Vanpool 0%

n Motorcycle/Moped 0%

n Bus 6%

n Bike 3%

n Walk 2%

n Telecommute 3%

n Other 1%

2012 University Employee Commuting Modeshare

After gas prices spiked following Hurricane Katrina, the number of individualsdriving alone to Duke decreased. But those numbers began to increase again in the years following.

Duke Bikes launched in 2009 tocontinue encouraging car-lesscommuting by offering students freebike rental and maintenance. Since then a host of improvements, includingadding and painting bike lanes oncampus and additional bike racks, havebeen made to enhance the bikinginfrastructure. Today, nearly 700students, faculty and staff report beingfull-time or occasional bike commuters

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Goals� Incorporate sustainability into the depth and breadth ofevery student’s experience by including core concepts ofsustainability in every applicable field and researchopportunity and by using the campus as a sustainabilityliving laboratory.

� Enhance understanding and foster changes in behavioramong members of the Duke community that reducegreenhouse gas emissions at Duke.

Looking Forward� Develop a more institutionalized way to identify courseswith sustainability content such as a “label” that studentscan search for when registering for classes.

� Explore an Undergraduate Experiential Certificate inSustainability Literacy.

� Development of next competition based on Green DevilSmackdown model.

ProgressEducation:

� 2010: The Duke Trillium Project is a faculty learningcommunity dedicated to increasing the prevalence andquality of sustainability’s three core concepts(environment, economy, society) in Duke’s academics. Theproject conducts an annual campus workshop where“graduates” of prior Trillium Project workshops mentorfaculty in effectively incorporating these core conceptsinto syllabi across all disciplines and departments. To date,there are 38 registered Trillium Fellows.

� 2012: Duke created the position of Faculty Director ofSustainability, held by Dr. Charlotte Clark, to help formalizethe University’s commitment to promoting sustainabilityeducation.

� 2012: The Duke Green Classroom Certification was createdto provide faculty with the opportunity to reduce theenvironmental impact of their courses and classroomswhile demonstrating eco-friendly behaviors to students.

Communication:

� 2011: Duke introduced a Green Workplace Certificationprogram to support staff in “greening” their workplaces.To date, 31 workplaces (500 staff) at Duke have becomecertified by completing a checklist of actions to reducetheir footprint.

� 2012: Duke introduced the Green Devil Smackdown, ateam-based competition designed to drive engagement ina fun and competitive way and engage a new audience insustainability. The Green Devil Smackdown was one of themost successful sustainability outreach efforts at Dukewith 63 teams and more than 1,200 participantscompleting 2,746 challenges or quizzes.

Becoming a sustainable institution requires the campus community’s cooperation, and because of this, Duke pushes beyond simplydistributing information; it endeavors to expand understanding and foster behavior change by creating a culture where sustainabilityis a common component of the collective conscience.

Education & Engagement

One of Duke’s communication strategies has been to engage people at the point of access or decision. Duke community members make thousandsof choices each day that impact the carbon footprint of the university. Duke developed signs to post near light switches, printers, laundry rooms,showers, bathroom sinks and elevators to encourage people to make more sustainable decisions in their daily activities.

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Duke has designated any course that teaches two out of threekey concepts of sustainability (economy, environment, society)as a sustainability course. Since fall 2010, Sustainable Duke hasbeen publishing an online listing of the upcoming semester’ssustainability courses making it easier for students to plantheir education accordingly.

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Presented by Sustainable Duke, Office of the Executive Vice President

sustainability.duke.edu

© Duke University