Progress Report for Eckerd College
Submitted on Jan. 3, 2012; Last updated on Jan. 3, 2012
The Progress Report is intended to help signatories assess and track progress toward the goals outlined
in their Climate Action Plans and to share that progress with their stakeholders and the general public.
click on a section heading below to expand its content; click again to collapse
General Statement of Progress
Eckerd College signed the ACUPCC in May of 2007 and has begun to implement on some of the projects proposed in the official Action Plan. It has helped our institution focus on energy conservation projects in order to reduce our overall emissions.
Short Term Goals
In 2011, Eckerd created the "Sustainability Fellow" position for a recent graduate to start the Office of Sustainability. The newly created Office will be the central location that looks over and implements the Climate Commitment.
In the summer of 2011, all of the campus shower heads were converted from 2.5 gallon-per-minute (GPM) models to 1.5 GPM low-flow models. Under conservative estimates this will save the college $24,000 a year in natural gas and water costs.
Since 2009 Eckerd has had a "Carbon Offset Fund" that students can donate into who travel abroad for Winter Term and Spring Break Service Learning trips to offset their emissions from flying. The money goes to support various sustainability initiatives that students can vote for.
GHG Emissions & Reduction Targets
| Climate Neutrality Target Date: | 2050 |
|---|
| Interim Milestone Emission-Reduction Target | Target Date | Baseline* |
|---|---|---|
| 25% reduction in Purchased Electricity Emissions | by 2025 | relative to baseline emissions in 2011 |
| 50% reduction in Purchased Electricity Emissions | by 2035 | relative to baseline emissions in 2011 |
| 100% reduction in Purchased Electricity Emissions | by 2050 | relative to baseline emissions in 2011 |
| 25% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2025 | relative to baseline emissions in 2011 |
| 50% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2035 | relative to baseline emissions in 2011 |
| 100% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2050 | relative to baseline emissions in 2011 |
GHGs summary
| Reporting Year | Gross Emissions | Net Emissions | Full Time Enrollments | Total Bldg. Sq. Ft. | [action] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 15328.0 | 15328.0 | 1606.0 | 720771.0 | [ view ] |
| 2004 | 16207.0 | 16207.0 | 1652.0 | 720771.0 | [ view ] |
| 2005 | 16277.0 | 16277.0 | 1714.0 | 757086.0 | [ view ] |
| 2006 | 16507.0 | 16507.0 | 1817.0 | 761588.0 | [ view ] |
| 2007 | 16591.0 | 16591.0 | 1817.0 | 790087.0 | [ view ] |
| 2008 | 16569.0 | 16569.0 | 1801.0 | 802397.0 | [ view ] |
| 2009 | 16880.0 | 16880.0 | 1842.0 | 802397.0 | [ view ] |
| 2010 | 16108.0 | 16108.0 | 1815.0 | 802397.0 | [ view ] |
| 2011 | 17924.0 | 17924.0 | 1817.0 | 802397.0 | [ view ] |
| 2012 | 16841.0 | 16841.0 | 1817.0 | 802397.0 | [ view ] |
-
Change in GHG gross emissions
3838.0
We use the "Custom Fuel Mix" setting on the Clean-Air Cool-Planet calculator, and in 2011, our energy provider cut out the prior 14% nuclear power and instead used more natural gas and oil.
-
Change in GHG emissions per 1000 sq.ft. building space
2.61981535436
-
Change in GHG emissions per full time enrollment (FTE)
1.55436326569
Education, Research, & Community Engagement
Curriculum
How is your institution making climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students?
All students are required to take an "Environmental" perspective class in order to graduate. All graduating Environmental Studies majors are required to complete a research paper on a possible carbon reduction project on Eckerd's campus.Education methods in use
- Included sustainability in fulfilling regional accreditation requirements.
- Included sustainability learning outcomes into institutional General Education Requirements.
Does your institution offer an undergraduate degree program(s) related to climate change/sustainability?
No
Does your institution offer a graduate degree program in climate change/sustainability?
No
Co-Curriculum
Does your institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?
Yes
www.eckerd.edu/green
Research
If applicable, how is your institution expanding research efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality research?
We just opened our Office of Sustainability on campus to help the College expand efforts to achieve climate neutrality.Does your institution have a program to encourage student climate and or sustainability research?
No
Does your institution have a program to encourage faculty climate and or sustainability research?
No
No, but two faculty do climate change and sustainability research on their own.
Associate Professor David Hastings
http://www.eckerd.edu/academics/marinescience/faculty/hastings.php
Associate Professor Alison Ormsby
http://www.eckerd.edu/academics/environmentalstudies/Faculty/Alison%20Ormsby.php
Community Engagement
How is your institution expanding community outreach efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality?
We are not at this time.Does your institution participate in community climate change and or sustainability partnerships?
No
Has your institution advocated for federal, state, and/or local public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance your goal of climate neutrality?
No
Energy & Finances
Energy Efficiency Projects
Number of green buildings planned or scheduled for completion in the next 2 years:
1For all buildings, the green building certification/rating used is:
USGBC:LEED
Renewable Energy
Financial Data
savings...Has your Climate Action Plan and/or related sustainability efforts saved your institution money so far, e.g. by reducing operational expenses?
yesAmount spent on CAP projects:
$10-49kEstimated amount saved to date from implementing your CAP projects:
$10-49kAdditional information or context to support expected savings:
We converted all campus shower heads to 1.5 gallon-per-minute low flow models. We are expecting to see an approximate $24,000 savings per year in natural gas and water costs.