ACUPCC Reporting System

Climate Action Plan for Bemidji State University

Submitted on February 9, 2011; last updated on February 9, 2011

Climate Action Plan Details

Climate Action Plan Bemidji State University Climate Action Plan
January 10, 2011
No information provided.
No information provided

Emissions Targets

Climate Neutrality Target
2050
If you have any qualifying statements with regard to the climate neutrality target date, please include them here, and/or if you have chosen "TBD" and not specified a neutrality date, please enter the reason and explain the process for establishing a target date in the future.

No information provided

Interim Milestone Emission-Reduction Target Target Date Baseline
2% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions by 2015 relative to baseline emissions in 2010
10% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions by 2020 relative to baseline emissions in 2010
10% reduction in Air Travel Emissions by 2021 relative to baseline emissions in 2011
Nonstandard Emissions Targets
Please enter below any targets that do not fit into the above format.

No information provided

Narratives

Please describe your institution's greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.

The energy infrastructure on the Bemidji Campus consists of steam for building heating and chilled water for building cooling. Electricity is provided by Ottertail Power Company. As is normal for college campuses there are exceptions to this generalization; however, they are minor. While the heating and electrical systems are adequate to meet the present needs of the campus, the chilled water system has performance problems.
In addition to what is often seen as the pragmatic nature of engineered systems, sustainable development and energy conservation are most likely realized through these systems by investing in them at a higher level to meet environmental goals in addition to their most basic functional goals. The University has a central plant, which offers the possibility of economy of scale when searching for renewable energy solutions and conservation opportunities. In the planning process we reviewed the possibility of using renewable energy such as wind turbines, photovoltaic solar photovoltaic, solar thermal biomass and geothermal systems. Each of these systems is more difficult to execute than existing systems and some present real challenges in a large community. Before entering into an analysis of renewable energy systems, it is best to survey the existing energy infrastructure and resources in the area to develop recommendations that maximize the value of existing systems and capitalize on local resources.

Please describe your institution's plans to make sustainability a part of the curriculum for all students.

As a first step in making climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and/or educational experience, BSU conducted a survey which was distributed to all BSU faculty in the fall of 2010. This survey was designed to evaluate how well climate change and sustainability are addressed within the existing curriculum, extra-curricular activities and research as well as determining what would be the most effective strategies for integrating climate change and sustainability into future curriculum and research.

An existing component of this strategy is that Bemidji State University undergraduates are required to take a course entitled People and the Environment prior to graduating.

Please describe your institution's plans to expand research efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality.

no current plans

Please describe your institution's plans to expand community outreach efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality.

The Sustainability Office continues to be a resource for the community. Many events are held on campus that are open to the community.