1. Learning with PurposeLearning with Purpose
UMass Lowell
Climate Action Plan and
Sustainability Initiatives
April 17, 2014
2. Learning with Purpose
What is CAP?
• Voluntary commitment to achieve climate neutrality.
− Administered by American College and University Presidents
Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) - 680 signatories
• CAP requirements:
− Established Institutional structure to implement CAP
− Climate neutrality commitment (2050 for UML)
− CAP goals: 3-phase (time frames) GHG reduction approach
− Expansion of Education, Research and Outreach
− Greenhouse Gas reduction strategies to achieve goals
− Biennial progress reporting of GHG reductions
Climate Action Plan (CAP)
3. Learning with Purpose
Mission of ACUPCC
− Accelerate progress toward climate neutrality and
sustainability by:
− Empower Higher Education to educate students, create
solutions, and lead-by-example for the rest of society. …
− Higher education has unique responsibility as role
model
− For regional communities
− Educate people who will develop the social, economic and
technological solutions to reverse global warming
− Result: Thriving, civil & sustainable society
Climate Action Plan (CAP)
4. Learning with Purpose
Student Education, Research
and Outreach in service of CAP
Education & Curriculum from the ACUPCC
Implementation Guide
– Faculty Development Workshops
– Creation of academic programs related to climate change
and sustainability
– Development of institution-wide programs to encourage
faculty to address sustainability in their courses
– Inclusion of students on building and construction,
operations and facilities committees
– Establishment of a graduation requirement in
sustainability course study
5. Learning with Purpose
UMass Lowell’s Unique Challenges
− Solutions
• In FY 07 Inadequate Housing - only 2165
students lived on campus
− Double capacity to 4000 beds with new dorms, purchases,
rentals and renovations
• Staff/Faculty Commuting
− Transportation demand management - Increase car pooling
− Parking fees for staff/faculty increased
• In FY 07 burned 860,000 gal. no. 6 F.O.
− Converted to primary fuel natural gas – to reduce GHG by
4000 MTCDe
Climate Action Plan (CAP)
6. Learning with Purpose
UMass Lowell’s Unique Challenges –Cont’d
• In FY 12 under 30 % computer control of
Campus Buildings
− Upgrading systems with DCAMM’s AEP & internal projects
• In FY 12 no organization for Sustainability
stakeholders to meet
− CAP Steering Committee formed 2012 – major campus
stakeholders
• Transportation issue w. three distinct
geographic campuses
− Shuttle bus - all three campuses
− FreeWheelers bike user program
− ZIP Cars (electric vehicles)
Climate Action Plan (CAP)
9. Learning with Purpose
Energy & Sustainability - (CAP)
• Figure projects business as usual emissions
• Dashed-white trend line outlines emission reduction targets against our
projected BAU emissions – dropped our emissions on 1st progress report
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
2005 2015 2025 2035 2045
Fiscal Year
CampusGHGEmissionsMTeCO2
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
On-Campus Stationary
Purchased Electricity
Faculty/Staff Commuting
Student Commuting
Electricity T&D Losses
Projected Business As Usual (BAU) Emissions
2
10. Learning with Purpose
CAP - Academic Initiatives
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• Climate Change and sustainability are viewed and recognized
as common and unifying themes
– UML offers over 70 climate-related courses incorporating sustainability-
environment, health, energy management, renewable energy, climate–related topics
and degree programs.
• Climate Change Initiative (CCI) – dedicated faculty
– Brings faculty, students, and communities together - address climate change
through education and research
– Academic programs at the undergrad and graduate levels in:
• Research in diverse fields
• Campus events on climate change.
• Outreach to the broader community to increase public understanding
• Climate Change Teach-In: Prominent CC speakers address UML
Students, Faculty and Staff & regional schools
• CC Workshops: faculty, students, staff. World Climate IPCC game
11. Learning with Purpose
CAP Initiatives
Student Life
• Outreach to students:
Educate and practice
energy & carbon reduction
• Close partnership with
other sub-committees
• Awareness Campaigns
– General: Enhance Awareness
sticker E&S campaign; Bike
Share Program; partnership
with MassPirg; Student Affairs
Climate Action Team; Personal
Climate Challenge
– Facilities: Increasing Campus
Residency; Electric Challenge;
Increase availability of energy
saving power strips
– Transportation programs
Administration & Finance
• Approved AEP financing
methodology.
• Energy Project Account:
Utility incentives; SREC
funds reserved for future
energy projects.
• Incorporate Green
Standards such as
EnergyStar and recycled
materials e.g. paper.
12. Learning with Purpose
• DEP Rideshare surveyed employees and students to
determine how they get to campus.
– 5,500 MT CO2 of GHG reduction to baseline GHG inventory
• SMART TRIPS Commuting Reduction Programs:
− MassRIDES Commuter program called NuRide –free online carpool service.
− Freewheelers Bike Share Program- bikes to be used all over campus
− Discounted MBTA train passes for faculty and staff
− Zipcar Car Sharing Program- electric vehicle
− Pedestrian & cycling maps
− Parking Policies
− Shuttle Bus 7000/d
CAP - Transportation Initiatives
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13. Learning with Purpose
• FY 12-13 Internal Projects: reduced 3,700
MTCO2
• By FY 16: AEP goal of 25% UML energy
reduction
• Have plan for additional internal projects
over next three years
• Investments in Renewable Energy
Technology
– DOER Grant from AARA Funds for solar arrays and
EEMS
• Example of Energy Projects
– NC boiler, chiller retrofits, steam traps, lighting etc.
– New construction: minimum Cert. LEED Silver
– Fuel conversions
CAP Initiatives - Energy GHG reductions
University Suites- LEED
Health & Soc. Sci. Bldg.- LEED
Emer. Tech. & Innov. Ctr. - LEED
University Crossing - LEED
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14. Learning with Purpose
CAP Initiatives - Energy Cost Avoidance
Future Revenues and Cost Avoidances - FY 14 0n
Total
Building & Infrastructure Renovations,
Deferred Maintenance Replacements, LEED
Construction
$320,000
LEED bldg. Cost Avoidance-not yet designed TBD
Solar Net Metering Credits –not installed $800,000/YR
Accelerated Energy Plan – not designed TBD
FY 14 -15 Utility Incentives (one time
payments)
$1,100,000
Lump Sums
Future Energy-specific Projects cost avoidance $350,000/YR
Energy Cost Avoidance & Revenue
FY12-13
$ per Year
Energy Projects $745,000
Building & Infrastructure
Renovations, D.M. Replacements
$15,000
Solar Net Metering Credits $26,000
Energy Procurement w. consultant $665,000
Solar Voltaic Arrays $77,000
Utility Incentives $133,000
Energy Management/Policy $100,000
$1,776,000
New North Campus Boiler
Bourgeois Hall PV Array
New South Campus Chillers
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15. Learning with Purpose
• Representation from Student Environmental Alliance and Student
Government Assoc.; MassPirg; City of Lowell Recycling Dept.
• DEP compliant Fox Hall pilot food waste compost project 09/13
planned with food service vendor & waste/recycling contractor – expand
to South Campus, Tsongas, ICC.
• Recyclemania 2014 – food waste & elex recycle
• Campus-wide single stream recycling
Earth Week 2014 – full schedule
CAP - Sustainability Initiatives
Tree Plantings
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– Coordinated with City of Lowell:
• Residence Hall Electrical Challenge &
Compost rate challenge
• Recycle & Waste Bin Sort; Bike to
School/Work Day
• Composting for Community Garden
• CAP/Sustainability Table
• Waste Recycling Day
• Sustainability & Energy Project
walking tours
• Awards presentations
• Clean-up campus
16. Learning with Purpose
FY 13 Interim Report since FY 07:
• 34% Reduction in MT eCO2/FTE
• 23% Reduction in MT eCO2/1000 SF
Increased bldg. area 7% and FTE 11% –
FY 11 to 13 – yet emissions decreased
from 51.1K to 50.2K MT eCO2.
Interim CAP Report – GHG Reductions
Students and Faculty/Staff
working together during Earth
Week ‘13 to green campus.
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17. Learning with Purpose
• Excellence in Commuter Options Award FY12-14
• From MassDOT
• Tree Campus USA Award - 2011-2013
• Three years in a row.
• Greenguard Certification
Accomplishments to Date
• For enhancing indoor air quality
and reducing exposure to cleaning chemicals
• UML is first New England College to achieve
• Leading by Example Award – 2012 & 2013
• for Energy and Sustainability Programs (2012)
• for Energy Management (2013)
• setting standard of Governor’s Executive Order 484
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