Climate Action Plan continues toward 2040 carbon neutral goal with efforts from VPA
The College of Visual and Performing Arts is continuing to spearhead the university’s effort to become carbon neutral by 2040.
The carbon neutral plan has advanced to the design development stage, with energy-saving projects planned for the fall and energy audits completed for VPA buildings, said Brooke Morley, who is responsible for project management and communications of the Climate Action Plan. VPA faculty worked to prioritize the plans in a meeting held March 8.
The designing of Room 003 in Smith Hall for a satellite office for the sustainability division will be completed by the end of summer, Morley said.
The Climate Action Plan’s consultant, Constellation Energy, is developing the list of projects the Climate Action Plan has accepted, Morley said in an email. Seventy-five out of a list of 140 potential problems have been chosen for completion. Projects include upgrading bathroom sinks to be more efficient, as well as upgrading heating, air conditioning and lighting. Censors will also be added to some vending machines and lighting so that such fixtures only run when people are present.
The 2040 target year is the centerpiece of Syracuse University’s Climate Action Plan, released in September 2009, according to an SU News Services release published Sept. 15, 2009. The Climate Action Plan is the blueprint for the university to become carbon neutral by 2040, which means having zero net greenhouse gas emissions, according to the release.
Arthur Jensen, associate dean for VPA, said in an email that they hope to have the design development stage completed by the end of summer.
Jensen hopes the carbon neutral plan will gain momentum next year and become more embedded in course projects and daily activities, he said.
Students are also becoming involved, Morley said, and VPA is promoting awareness on what is and what is not recyclable on campus.
Zeke Leonard, a design professor in VPA, is working with Climate Action Plan officials to establish a sustainability interior design definition, Morely said. Officials pledge to integrate it into their classes and projects. The research will be submitted in June and implemented into the interior design curriculum for the fall, Morley said.
All SU schools and departments will contribute to the effort in the future, said Steve Lloyd, associate director for sustainability.
The Department of Energy and Computing Management will receive funding on July 1 to begin implementing projects geared toward long-term sustainability objectives at the start of this fall, Lloyd said.
‘What we want to implement are things that are going to stick here,’ Lloyd said.
Ideas include taking existing facilities and putting in more energy-efficient temperature and lighting controls, Lloyd said.
Morley said the university selected 2040 as the target year based on projects that have a good return on investment, such as improved energy efficiency and lighting. Through these savings, the plan is expected to pay for itself by approximately 2023. So far, the university is on track for this deadline, Morley said.
The plan was designed following Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s pledge to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007. This commitment, which 677 institutions have as of Thursday morning, entails creating a sustainable and healthy lifestyle to preserve the environment, according to SU’s Presidents’ Climate Commitment website.
Student input will be incorporated in VPA’s carbon neutral effort, said Lloyd, the associate director for sustainability.
‘We’re going to rely on them for publicity, for ideas,’ he said. ‘Also, we’re going to be soliciting suggestions on improvements to the buildings from their standpoint.’
Published on March 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm
