HIGHLIGHTS CAMPUS AS LIVING LAB OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Transcription

1 HIGHLIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY CAMPUS AS LIVING LAB OFFICE OF S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y NOVEMBER 2012

2 PRINCETON UNIVERSITY DEMONSTRATES IN EVERY SUSTAINABILITY AREA, EVEN WITH CAMPUS GROWTH. Since 2008, Princeton University has increased its student population by 362 individuals, and its building area by 560,000 square feet. Despite this growth the University has reduced its absolute energy and water usage, as well as its waste volume and procurement footprints. At the same time academic, research, and civic engagement initiatives for sustainability have expanded substantially. Princeton University strives to enhance the student experience and serve as a model for advanced sustainability practices, while providing opportunities to study and test new ideas using the campus as a living laboratory.

3 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS CAMPUS ENERGY Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by Annual campus CO 2 emissions have declined by 6,000 metric tons (5.3 percent) since A new 5.3-megawatt solar array will provide about 6 percent of the University s electricity while avoiding about 3,000 metric tons of CO 2 per year. Notably, a third party will claim those carbon reductions during the current lease agreement. Once the array is paid for, near the end of the current Sustainability Plan, Princeton will begin claiming those reductions directly and apply them toward our reduction goal. Since the University s Energy Master Plan was established in 2008, $16 million has been invested in energy projects that are expected to reduce the annual energy budget by one third and annually avoid 13,000 metric tons of CO 2. Identify the remaining unknown 4 percent of the operational strategies needed to achieve the 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal. Continue to optimize plant operations and utility distribution to reduce energy use. Considering expected campus growth prior to 2020 and associated emissions, an additional 36,000 metric tons of CO 2 reductions will be required. TOTAL CAMPUS EMISSIONS (METRIC TONS) & EXPANSION (SQUARE FEET) Emissions (MT) 120, , , ,676 8,374, ,500 8,607, , ,000 8,936,449 8,884,363 8,936, , ,000,000 9,000,000 8,000,000 Expansion (square feet) Between 2008 and 2012, campus emissions (purple) have declined by 5.3 percent, despite a corresponding expansion of more than 560,000 square feet (green).

4 GREEN BUILDING Since 2008, more than 560,000 square feet of new construction and major renovation projects have been built according to Princeton s aggressive sustainability and energy conservation guidelines. During 2010 and 2011, more than 40 hours of sustainability-related continuing education courses were offered to more than 50 Facilities employees, 30 of whom are LEED Accredited Professionals. Continue to apply Life Cycle Cost Analysis to the development of major projects, as well as minor projects where appropriate. Test new sustainable materials in small renovations, and assess for widespread adoption. The High-Performance Computing Research Center is among the the country and, as of July 2012, one of only nine such centers worldwide to have been awarded LEED TRANSPORTATION reducing commuter car numbers by 750 (15 percent) by There are 418 fewer commuter cars on campus today compared with 2008, an 8 percent reduction. In the past year, the number of campus community members participating in Transportation Demand Management programs increased to 653 individuals (an 18 percent increase). Additionally, the number of car-sharing members participating in the WeCar program increased by 29 percent to 450.

5 Further develop Transportation Demand Management incentive programs, including evaluating a subsidy for train station parking, increasing the number of preferred parking spaces for car and van pool participants, and increasing car pool incentives. Continue to work with key external public transportation partners (e.g., New Jersey Transit) to identify methods to improve service and access for commuters. From left, Princeton employees John Hunter, Rena Rigos, Jane Hunter and John Hewins are among more than 650 individuals participating in a vanpool organized by Transportation and Parking Services. The cost of fuel is shared among the passengers, with no cost to the driver. RESOURCE CONSERVATION DINING Increase sustainable food purchases to 75 percent by 2015 and raise awareness about green dining. University sustainable food purchases increased to 69 percent in 2012, with 61 percent produced within 250 miles of campus. Services website and on the iprinceton app. Continue to evaluate on-site or local food waste recycling alternatives, including composting. Continue partnering with the Princeton School Gardens Cooperative and the Chef s Move Program to provide educational information to local schools.

6 Dining Services at Princeton features local, seasonal and sustainable fare at Café Vivian in the Frist Campus Center, as well as in the campus dining halls. CONVENTIONAL & SUSTAINABLE FOOD PURCHASES Percentage of Purchases 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Conventional Sustainable PURCHASING Encourage sustainability in the supply chain and procurement of purchased goods and services. The University purchased 80 fewer tons of paper in 2012 compared with 2008, and 12 fewer tons than last year. In 2012, 85 percent of the paper purchased was 100 percent post-consumer recycled chlorine-free paper. The total volume of cleaning chemicals purchased has declined by 33 percent since More than 41 percent (by volume) of chemical cleaners and soaps Implement the Supplier Practices Life Cycle Assessment tool and seek joint implementation with neighbor institutions. Increase departmental compliance with the University s 100 percent recycled paper purchasing policy.

7 AMOUNT AND TYPE OF PAPER PURCHASES Tons Virgin Total Virgin Total WASTE REDUCTION Paper Type (Percent Post-consumer Recycled Chlorine-free) Reduce overall campus waste by 40 percent between 2006 and Since 2006, campus waste decreased by 17 percent and the recycling rate increased to 42 percent. In the past year, the Surplus Program donated, reused or sold about 96 percent of discarded furniture and electronics. Since 2006, nearly 4,200 campus researchers have been trained in a mandatory laboratory pollution prevention program, resulting in reduced chemical waste. 2010, contributing to 100,000 fewer purchased disposable water bottles per year. Increase move-out donation options for items including clothing, food, toiletries, school supplies and books. Expand the use of blue cleaning equipment that cleans with ionized water to reduce the need for cleaning chemicals. Eliminate 65 dumpster sites on campus in favor of centralized compactor locations by TOTAL WASTE (INCLUDING RECYCLING) PER CAPITA 1, Pounds

8 LANDSCAPE & STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Create a vibrant, sustainable landscape and manage stormwater events with a campuswide ecosystem approach. Since 2007 the campus has demonstrated a net increase of 1,770 trees. been restored. More than one-quarter mile of the formerly degraded Washington Road stream has A presentation on Princeton s leading integrated landscape and stormwater management approach attracted more than 500 attendees at this year s American Society of Landscape Architects meeting. Continue implementing long-term walkway, natural and open space enhancements, as guided by the Campus Plan. Incorporate sustainable stormwater strategies into all upcoming major building projects. A further net increase of 730 trees is required to meet the target of a 2,500 increase by DOMESTIC WATER Reduce overall campus water usage by 25 percent between 2006 and Even with temporary construction-related impacts in 2011, overall annual campus water usage has declined by 19 percent or 46 million gallons since Residential hall water usage has dropped 34 percent since 2006 (4 percent in the past year), accounting for nearly 20 million gallons of savings. Continue to evaluate the major water-using activities on campus and devise strategies for reduction. Support behavior-changing water conservation initiatives through student organizations.

9 OVERALL CAMPUS WATER USAGE 250, ,462 Gallons x 1, , , , , , , , , The uptick in water usage in 2011 was due to increased weatherrelated demands on the central plant cooling towers as well as temporary water usage during major construction efforts. RESEARCH, EDUCATION & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT RESEARCH & EDUCATION Cultivate leaders among students and engage researchers from multiple disciplines to advance global sustainability, using the campus as a living laboratory. Nearly 270 courses offered at Princeton since 2009 have focused on sustainability or have incorporated the concept as a distinct course component or principle. In 2012, 389 graduating seniors (31 percent of the class) had participated in the Princeton Environmental Institute s undergraduate programs during their time at Princeton. The Grand Challenges Program confronts energy, development and health challenges around the world. Since the program s launch in 2007, it has involved more than 75 faculty, 60 researchers, 100 Ph.D. candidates and 400 undergraduates from 29 academic disciplines. Since 2008, the High Meadows Foundation Sustainability Fund has awarded support for 12 faculty research projects, two senior thesis projects and 44 grants to students and staff using the campus as a living lab.

10 Continue to support sustainability-related research fellowships, course-related both graduate and undergraduate. Develop support for faculty interested in campus as living lab activities in sustainability. STUDENT INITIATIVES Encourage campuswide student initiatives in sustainability. 12 student groups participate in GreenLeaders, a student council coordinated with Sustainable Princeton to launch the Housewarming Project, weatherizing 10 homes for senior citizens with low to moderate incomes. Increase student involvement in shifting toward a more sustainability-infused campus culture. Develop a venue for students to present their initiatives and research using the campus as a laboratory for sustainability problem-solving. From left, Nellie Peyton 14, Alison Lo 13, Jessica McLemore 15 and other student EcoReps promote recycling and sustainability awareness at Reunions in 2012.

11 Ben Barron 13 (left) captures his brother Brooks Barron 11 explaining how Princeton students can live green for a joint Greening Princeton and Student Environmental Communication Network video. COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH Expand the sustainability discourse on campus, in the local community and across the nation. The Student Environmental Communication Network produced 14 short videos for the new Campus Green Tour that are available online and on the iprinceton for a video about the cogeneration plant. cogeneration energy plant last year to learn more about its innovative approach The Sustainability Ambassador staff educational training program grew to include more than 20 participants across 10 departments. Develop a dynamic new sustainability Web presence that will highlight campus as living lab elements as well as active performance metrics. Develop a communication approach that optimizes the shift toward a campus culture that embodies sustainability. Expand Campus Green Tour options for visitors and the campus community. Expand the staff Sustainability Ambassador Program into a campuswide endeavor by appointing sustainability leaders in additional administrative departments.

12 WASHINGTON ROAD STRE AM RE ST O RATIO N PRO JEC T SUSTAINABLE BUILDING GUIDELINES IN PRACTICE A geothermal heating and cooling system will be installed at the new Lakeside graduate housing community. The system saves energy by using the earth as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer. When comparing major building systems and materials, the University employs a Life Cycle Cost Analysis tool, which includes a projected cost of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the form of a CO2 tax. In the case of the Lakeside heating and cooling system, the University determined that while the Produced by the Office of Communications Photos and images by Julia Boyle 15, Chris Lillja, Michael Yoon, Eileen Zerba, Studio Ma and dbox Copyright 2012 by The Trustees of Princeton University In the Nation s Service and in the Service of All Nations printed on recycled paper CAMPUS AS LIVING LAB The recently completed Washington Road stream restoration project serves as a model of the University s approach to linking sustainable operations and academic pursuits on campus. The restoration project and related outcomes are the subject of several research projects and the focus of undergraduate coursework under the direction of Eileen Zerba, a senior lecturer in ecology and evolutionary biology. Pictured are Teddy Eyster 13 and Sophie Tyack 13 conducting summer research in the stream.