UConn GHG Emissions Inventory

Environmental responsibility and sustainability have played increasingly large roles at the University of Connecticut. In particular, many growing initiatives focus on the University’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, by striving to limit our emissions of powerful greenhouse gases.

Using the Clean Air, Cool Planet (CA-CP) software, UConn conducted a greenhouse gas inventory for 2004-2006 to assess where emissions were greatest and what actions could be taken to reduce such emissions. UConn hopes that, with annual re-assessments, we can not only gauge our level of emissions over time, but we can also judge how successful our initiatives have been improving our emissions levels.

Photograph By: Kim Kretvix
Horsebarn Hill at UConn, Storrs

To view the Emissions Inventory Summary and Statistics, please follow the link below:

GHG Emissions Inventory: UConn Results

Also, find a quick summary below of the major initiatives taking place on campus. These initiatives are also covered directly in our Workgroups and Progress Page.

Notable Impacts in Making Smaller Footprints

• UConn’s state-of-the-art Co-generation Facility opened in February 2006, replacing several oil-fired utility boilers and enabling the University to meet its own energy needs at the main campus.  This facility simultaneously produces both electricity (nearly 25 MW capacity) and steam for centralized heating and cooling.  By burning a cleaner natural gas, and with a net fuel efficiency of more than 80%, the Co-gen Facility reduces our reliance on off-site energy and cuts climate-changing CO2 emissions by 30,000 tons per year vs. fossil-fuel burning power plants on the regional grid.
  
  
• Annual compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) giveaways have been co-sponsored by UConn and Connecticut Light & Power.  Each year, 3000 free CFLs were distributed to incoming freshmen in hopes that these bulbs, which are five times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, would be used by the students throughout their UConn careers.
  
  
• Made possible by the recent installation of utility sub-meters in dormitories and other buildings across campus, the OEP sponsored UConn’s first-ever Water & Energy Conservation Contest at the south residence halls in 2006.  The event raised awareness about the amount of water and energy being consumed in the dorms and created incentives to conserve.  Real-time data from the sub-meters was available to students, allowing them to accurately track their progress. These dorm contests have since expanded to the northwest residence halls as well.
  
  
• In 2004, UConn demonstrated its commitment to green building when it became one of a small number of universities nationwide to adopt its own campus sustainable design guidelines (SDGs).  These SDGs apply to all construction and renovation projects including $1.3 billion worth of capital improvement projects scheduled to occur by 2015
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Current Initiatives 

• In 2003, UConn’s president signed the Climate Change Action Plan pledge, thus beginning a more concentrated effort to quantify and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from campus operations and activities.
  
  
• The UConn Biofuels Consortium, an active team of students and faculty from multiple academic disciplines, was formed in 2004 and works together to optimize biofuel production.  From a biodiesel lab in the Chemical Engineering department, members of this group also refine processes for converting waste cooking oil from University dining facilities into biodiesel fuel to be used in campus shuttle buses.  Popular campus outreach events in 2004 and 2006 featured free french toast sticks and displays of alternatively-fueled vehicles (including a biodiesel bus).  The consortium also serves as a regional educational resource for others attempting to begin similar programs by hosting workshops that address different issues surrounding the use of biofuels.
  
  
• In late-2006, UConn completed construction of the 165,000 sq. ft., $48 million Burton Family Football Complex and Mark R. Shenkman Training Center, which is the first LEED-certified athletic facilities in the NCAA.  Energy conservation features incorporated into the Burton/Shenkman facilities include infrared radiant heating, heat recovery units, energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, window glazing, and use of locally-manufactured, recycled and renewable building materials.
  
  
• Fleet fuel efficiency was examined and a “Preferred Vehicle Purchasing List” was issued early in 2006 to assist departments in purchasing vehicles with competitive fuel efficiency.  A “No-idling” statement was endorsed and issued university-wide to reduce emissions from idling vehicles.
  
  
• There are several active student groups that work in conjunction with the OEP and various departments and offices on campus to educate and raise awareness about environmental issues.  Such groups include the 300-member EcoHusky student group, the environmental science club known as Earth to UConn, and the Soil & Water Conservation Society.    

Future Initiatives:

• Bike lending program / Campus Bike Plan
• Green campus tours with NESEA and the CTGBC
• Annual sneaker recycling program and “Mt. Sneaker” expo
• Biennial UConn Environmental Leadership Awards recognizing green campus champions in several award categories (e.g., student, faculty and staff)
• Solar and geothermal demonstration projects
  

This summary can also be found at the
Clean-Air, Cool Planet webpage!

 

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