We are Updating WCU’s Climate (and Sustainability) Action Plan
View WCU’s 2013 Climate Action Plan: Carbon Neutrality by 2025
View the draft Climate and Sustainability Action Plan Update, 2023-25
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY’S SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL AND OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY are working to update WCU’s 2013 Climate Action Plan: Carbon Neutrality by 2025. In the nine years since the CAP was signed by then-WCU President Greg Weisenstein, WCU has made important progress towards our carbon neutrality target and the 78 objectives set in six broad topic areas (Buildings and Energy, Transportation, Dining Services, and more). But circumstances are very different in 2023 than they were in 2013 and West Chester University needs to assess our efforts and update our targets and goals for creating a more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable university.
Energy and Buildings
INTRODUCTION
Scope 1 emissions - those directly controlled by WCU - result from fuels used for
WCU Fleet vehicles and to provide heat for space and water. Within Scope 1, coal burned
in the steam plant accounts for almost 2/3 of emissions. Excluding fuels for vehicles,
WCU consumed 4000 tons of coal, 41,000 gallons of fuel oil, and 69,514,000 cubic feet
of natural gas in FY 2012. Scope 2 emissions at WCU resulted from purchased electricity,
which was used to provide lighting, energy for equipment and appliances (incl. air
conditioning), and to run the geoexchange heating and cooling system (also known as
geothermal). Electrical consumption was 35,062,000 kWh in FY 2012.
GOALS
Achieve significant annual reductions in greenhouse emissions associated with energy
consumption and production by a) implementing appropriate policies, financing, and
planning strategies b) reducing consumption and improving efficiency; c) producing
renewable energy; c) buying green power; and d) offsetting the rest.
Transportation
INTRODUCTION
Based on WCU’s GHG inventory, emissions from University vehicles consuming gasoline,
compressed natural gas (CNG), and B20 fuel (20% biodiesel; 80% petroleum-derived diesel)
make up 3% of Scope 1 emissions. Scope 3 emissions - those over which the University
has the least direct control - are dominated by faculty/staff and student commuting
(65% and 25%, respectively). All commuters traveled over 29,000,000 car miles. Surveys
indicate that student commuters annually travel 21,000,000 miles by car, and employees
travel 8,000,000 miles by car and 270,000 miles by bus.
GOALS
Achieve significant annual reductions in greenhouse emissions associated with a) the
operation of university vehicles; b) faculty, staff, and student commuting, and c)
university-related employee travel.
Purchasing
GOALS
Support and facilitate the purchase of products and materiel that minimize embodied
greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful environmental and social effects from their
production, transportation, use and disposal.
- Educate all West Chester University employees on sustainable purchasing, their role
in the process, and opportunities to purchase socially and environmentally preferred
goods and services.
Increase purchases of environmentally preferred goods and services consistent with the mission of West Chester University while still remaining cost-effective and in compliance with procurement policy.
Reduce consumption of energy and natural resources.
Increase the use of recycled content products where possible.
Create a model program for successfully purchasing environmentally preferable products that encourages other PASSHE universities and the local community to adopt similar goals.
Solid Waste and Recycling
INTRODUCTION
Based on WCU’s 2012 STARS Report, 306 tons of materials were recycled, composted,
reused, donated, re-sold or otherwise diverted while 1,417 tons of materials were
disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator. The next step is for WCU to join
other colleges and universities that are striving to become Zero Waste campuses.
GOALS
Achieve significant annual decreases in embodied carbon by reducing solid waste and
increasing rates of recycling and composting, with the ultimate goal of becoming a
‘Zero Waste’ campus where more than 90% of "waste" is diverted from landfills and
incinerators through materials education, reduction, re-use, recycling, and composting.
Dining Services
INTRODUCTION
University food and dining services is one area that can have a significant impact
on carbon emissions, the environment, human health, labor and animal welfare. Through
the creation, promotion and implementation of sustainable and responsible food procurement,
energy and water conservation, waste stream management, and education, West Chester
University food service can actively support the American College & University Presidents’
Climate commitment through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with
current food procurement practices. WCU currently contracts with ARAMARK for dining
services. ARAMARK employs a full-time sustainability coordinator at WCU and, as a
corporation, is committed to a number of general sustainable food service goals.
GOALS
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with dining services through the creation,
promotion, and implementation of sustainable and responsible food procurement, energy
and water conservation, waste stream management, and education. Develop solutions,
incentives, and resources to lower the environmental burden of the University’s food
service operations while maintaining and/or improving nutritional quality, product
appeal, and the requirements of sustainable food standards.
Curriculum Integration, Public Engagement, and Research
INTRODUCTION
As an institution of higher education, West Chester University’s primary roles in
meeting the challenges of sustainability and climate change are to educate, conduct
research, and provide public service. Through these efforts we have an opportunity
to instill the knowledge and values of sustainability within our campus and community.
At West Chester University, we promote the stewardship of an Earth on which life flourishes
into a future of increasing prosperity and opportunity, without reducing the capacity
of the environment to provide for future generations of humans and other life. Sustainability
requires an understanding of the inter-connected relationship of environmental, societal,
and economic issues and resources at both the local and global levels. West Chester
University graduates will be prepared to transform their understanding of those connections
into a life-long commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible local
and global citizenship.
GOALS
Curriculum: Ensure that all WCU students develop a deep understanding of sustainability and
climate change. We will foster systems thinking through an integrated curriculum that
makes connections across colleges and programs. We will provide an experiential education
that develops in all students the practical knowledge and skill to address the challenges
of sustainability and climate change in their personal, civic, and professional lives.
Co-Curricular Education and Training: Engage the entire West Chester University community in learning about climate change
and sustainability. We will involve all students, staff, faculty, and administrators
in learning about and creating a sustainable future. We will integrate sustainability
into the campus culture by providing WCU students with co-curricular sustainability
learning experiences that enable them to deepen and apply what they have learned in
the formal curriculum. We will also provide training opportunities for administrators
and staff to deepen their understanding of sustainability and support their ability
to become sustainability and climate change leaders in their own departments.
Research: Expand research and creative work that address the challenges of climate change and
sustainability. We will promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives
and collaborations to develop and implement solutions in our local, regional, and
global communities.
Public Engagement: Advance sustainability within the larger society. We will fulfill West Chester University’s
public mission by pursuing, developing, and promoting partnerships that respond to
the needs of our community, region, and Commonwealth.
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