The Ohio State University has reduced its carbon footprint by 30%
The University has made progress in accelerating sustainability goals ahead of its plan to do so
After adopting sustainability goals in 2015, Ohio State University’s carbon emissions have declined by 30% over the past four years. This reflects the university’s efforts to accelerate its progress as it prepares to accelerate its progress in the future.
In the latest resource stewardship scorecard on the university’s resource stewardship activities, researchers have found that Ohio State’s carbon footprint has decreased from 615,051 metric tons of emissions equivalent to carbon dioxide in fiscal year 2015 to 428,392 metric tons last year.
As of right now, the goal at the University of Missouri is to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050. However, President Kristina M. Johnson has directed university leadership to develop an acceleration plan that would allow the university to achieve net zero emissions 10 years earlier, in 2040. In order to accelerate the process, there will be a number of operational, financial, and environmental factors to be considered.
There is a broad array of sustainability goals that Ohio State is working towards as part of its long-term sustainability initiatives, including carbon footprints, in order to improve the university’s positive impact on global challenges such as improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and dealing with climate change.
As senior vice president for administration and planning at Ohio State University, Jay Kasey will present to the Board of Trustees on Monday. He will present the university’s progress in regard to the stewardship of its resources and will summarize the university’s progress over the past few weeks. Along with the 30% reduction in carbon emissions, Ohio State has taken significant steps to address other sustainability goals that extend beyond emissions reduction:
Ohio State’s Columbus campus buildings have seen nearly 12% improvement in energy efficiency over the past fiscal year through energy conservation measures and other upgrades. The improvement is primarily the result of energy conservation measures implemented on campus during fiscal year 2015. The university has approved more than 80 improvement projects through its relationship with Ohio State Energy Partners, and thus far the university has approved improvements in over 80 buildings. In addition, over 123,000 light fixtures have been converted to LED technology. In addition, approximately 900 smart meters have been installed in approximately 300 buildings in the city as part of its energy efficiency program. At the beginning of the program, the university hoped to improve the efficiency of its buildings by 25%.
Zero waste: Ohio State is now diverting 40% of its waste from landfills through recycling, composting, and other measures to ensure there is no waste being sent to landfill. Throughout 2022, the university has announced it will expand its composting program beyond Ohio Stadium and the dining halls to include residence halls, labs, and drop-off locations for Buckeyes living off-campus, which will allow them to contribute to the program. Since July, the university has diverted more than 114 tons of food waste from landfills, resulting in a reduction of almost 2%.
A growing number of alternative fuel vehicles are used at the university, including electric, hybrid, and compressed natural gas vehicles. These vehicles make up nearly a fifth of its total fleet of vehicles. By the year 2026, Ohio State plans on converting its entire fleet of CABS buses to compressed natural gas in a bid to improve the environment.
The university planted 1,000 trees in 2021, the largest single tree planting in the past five years, as part of its efforts to improve the ecosystem.
Using less water and reducing the amount of waste. Last year, the University of Rochester used 390 million fewer gallons of potable water than in the fiscal year preceding it.
In addition to its commitment to sustainability, Ohio State is also committed to social responsibility. Having reduced our carbon footprint, we are demonstrating our commitment to producing tangible results in order to reduce our carbon footprint.
Towards the end of the decade, the university set a long-term goal to become carbon neutral by the year 2020. In 2015, the university established sustainable goals to help it achieve its long-term sustainability goals. Hundreds of projects have been carried out since that time, ranging from smaller but impactful ones – such as LED light fixtures and upgrading heating and cooling systems – to larger, multi-year projects that will take many
Among other initiatives, the university is preparing to build a combined heat and power plant (CHP) to serve the Columbus campus as well as to assist in the construction of a new inpatient hospital and a district for innovation in Carmenton. By allowing the CHP system to power and heat separately, it is possible to reduce the amount of carbon-intensive fuel required and, thus, to minimize environmental impacts.
It is also planned to build a center for energy advancement and innovation, which will be powered by rooftop solar panels. It will also be powered by renewable energy sources. Researchers from both the university and the private sector collaborate on smart energy systems, renewable energy and
A great deal of effort is being put into ensuring Ohio State continues to grow responsibly. This year, the university instituted a comprehensive Sustainable Architecture and Construction Policy. This policy has been in place since the turn of the century. The university was able to improve its facilities and create a more sustainable physical environment. Progress has led to achieving its sustainability goals by building and operating more sustainable facilities.
Additionally, OSU is focusing on operational improvements along with identifying solutions to address climate change as well as other challenges as part of its efforts to improve operational excellence. There are more than 700 undergraduate courses at the university that address sustainability in fields such as agriculture, engineering, science, social science, and business. For example, in Spring 2022, President Johnson and Kasey co-taught “Pathways to Net Zero Carbon Emissions” — a class in which students devised ways to reduce carbon emissions on campus.
For more information about the university’s sustainability goals, see Facilities Operations and Development and the Sustainability Institute at Ohio State.
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
