BSU carbon footprint one of smallest in higher education

The student population may be growing, but the footprint is shrinking.

Boise State University’s per capita carbon footprint is among the smallest in the country for higher education institutions, according to a recent report by the university’s Office of Energy Research, Policy and Campus Sustainability. The report said that Boise State gives off 2.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide for each person – including students, staff and faculty – on campus each year.

Calculations in the report are limited to the main campus and account for the carbon implications of its electricity consumption, the burning of natural gas to heat buildings and water, university-sponsored travel (air, bus, rental cars and athletics) and daily commuting by faculty and staff. The food bought and eaten on campus is not included in the carbon impact.

The report, written by Boise State OERPCS Associate Vice President John Gardner, provides a comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions due to campus operations during the past five years. Boise State President Bob Kustra signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007.

“This report, and the underlying analysis, is only the first step of a long-term commitment to make Boise State a national leader in sustainability,” Gardner said. “We are poised to show the way in achieving climate neutrality and do so in a manner that does not compromise our core mission or values.”

Boise State has a history of reducing energy use in the new buildings that are being constructed. The university is in the midst of an eight-year “Performance Contract” with Siemans, Inc. Through investment in new technology and streamlining operations, the university has managed to decrease energy use by nearly 20 percent in selected buildings.

For example, the new Norco building – currently under construction behind the Recreation Center – will be 30 percent more efficient than what the code requires.

“Our first priority should be to eliminate the rate of increase,” Gardner said. “As we refurbish our older buildings and create new indoor spaces on campus, we will keep our goal to become climate neutral in clear focus.”

“In a nutshell, we promote using less energy, water and natural resources,” OERPCS Administrative Assistant Sara Schultz said. “The two biggest sources of green house gases are transportation and electricity. To reduce transportation pollution, BSU students are encouraged to bike or ride the bus to school. BSU students and employees receive free bus passes that are effective year round.”

For more information about Boise State’s sustainability efforts or to download the entire report, go to boisestate.edu/sustain.

Some information in this article was given courtesy Boise State University Communications and Marketing.

Among those included in the report, Yale University posted the largest number at 25.1 metric tons per person, while Tufts University posted the lowest with 2.2 metric tons per person.

Boise State posted 2.3 metric tons per person.

Specific reasons for Boise State’s strong performance include:

Size and square footage of campus buildings compared to the number of students served.

Ongoing work to modernize and improve campus infrastructure and modify campus activities to lower energy consumption.

Relatively mild climate in the Boise area. The harshest conditions are prevalent during the summer when demand for buildings and services are low.

COMPILED BY ROSANNA ANDERSON
Arbiter Journalist

Related Posts:

1. ‘The turf may be blue, but our campus is green,’ Gardner says
2. Conversations with Gardner Who’s gone green?
3. Conversations with Gardner: Be an engaged disciple
4. BSU works toward ‘campus neutrality’
5. BSU hosts third annual Campus Sustainability Day