Progress Report for Bentley University
Submitted on Feb. 15, 2012; Last updated on Feb. 15, 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
Bentley University signed the ACUPCC in 2007. The Office of Sustainability was launched in 2009 and our Climate Action Plan was completed on January 15, 2010. The development of the Office of Sustainability and its numerous programs targeted at engaging the campus community in carbon and ecological footprint reductions has resulted in an increased awareness about environmental issues on campus. Over the past three years Bentley has seen an increase in our recycling rate, a decrease in electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions. The ACUPCC and Climate Action Plan has help to provide a structure to sustainability initiatives on campus.
The Office of Sustainability conducted a study in December 2009 to determine how to achieve carbon footprint reductions and found that energy efficiency projects would be the biggest "bang for our buck." As such we have aggressively invested in our energy management system which includes digital controls, the ability for the energy manager to set heating and cooling schedules for buildings and occupancy sensors for heating and cooling in some residential spaces on campus. The investments in the energy management system have resulted in a 7% reduction in our carbon footprint as compared to FY2008.
Facilities Management manages ongoing investment in other energy efficiency projects including: high-efficiency lighting, occupancy sensors, high-efficiency boiler, VAVs and other mechanical equipment on campus.
Office of sustainability programs include:
Recycling and waste reduction (including electronics recycling)
Energy efficiency projects
Water conservation
Green Dining
Green Transportation
All programs are launched with three components: operational, outreach, education
The following groups have been developed to engage the community in sustainability efforts:
Students: Eco-reps, the Green Society, the Student Government Association Sustainability Project Group, Give 'N Go (the sustainable move out program)
Faculty and Staff: Faculty/Staff Eco Reps, the Sustainability Task Force.
The Manager of Sustainability has teamed with the Career Services Department to offer education to students on green careers including environmentally and socially responsible business practices, green/sustainable businesses and the clean energy sector.
GHG Emissions & Reduction Targets
| Climate Neutrality Target Date: | 2030 |
|---|
| Interim Milestone Emission-Reduction Target | Target Date | Baseline* |
|---|---|---|
| 50% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2015 | relative to baseline emissions in 2008 |
| 70% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2020 | relative to baseline emissions in 2008 |
| 100% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2030 | relative to baseline emissions in 2008 |
GHGs summary
| Reporting Year | Gross Emissions | Net Emissions | Full Time Enrollments | Total Bldg. Sq. Ft. | [action] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 21944.0 | 21944.0 | 4960.0 | 1700000.0 | [ view ] |
| 2009 | 22963.0 | 22963.0 | 5012.0 | 1700000.0 | [ view ] |
| 2010 | 21847.0 | 21847.0 | 5127.0 | 1700000.0 | [ view ] |
| 2011 | 20774.88 | 20774.88 | 5475.0 | 1700000.0 | [ view ] |
| 2012 | 19158.44 | 19158.44 | 5008.0 | 1710709.0 | [ view ] |
-
Change in GHG gross emissions
-1169.12
-
Change in GHG emissions per 1000 sq.ft. building space
-0.687717647059
-
Change in GHG emissions per full time enrollment (FTE)
-0.62969491825
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?
A new Sustainability Major will be launched 9/2012. It is the first of its kind and one of few non-business majors offered. Enrollment in the existing Earth Environment and Global Sustainability dual-major has increased.
The Manager of Sustainability works closely with the Career Services Dept to create educational experiences for students on the following topics: environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility and green/sustainable business practices.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?
Yes
A Sustainability Science Major will be launched Fall 2012.
Currently Bentley offers a dual-major in Earth Environment and Global Sustainability. Undergraduate students can choose this dual major in addition to their primary major (usually a business major like accounting, finance, marketing, economics or management)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
http://sustainability.bentley.edu/Does your institution include sustainability prominently in new student orientation?
Research
If applicable, how is your institution expanding research efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality research?
The Natural Science Dept continues to conduct research related to climate neutrality and sustainability. Students have focused research projects on the challenges faced in the operations components of our CAP, such as the development of onsite renewables. There has been no major university-wide effort to increase research toward climate neutrality.
Community Engagement
How is your institution expanding community outreach efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality?
The Office of Sustainability, Natural Sciences Dept and Service Learning Dept are currently developing a relationship with local small businesses through the local chamber of commerce. Goals: 1. sharing info about successful EE projects and ghg redux with local small businesses 2. engaging students in work on EE evals and ghg reduction projects for local small businesses.Does your institution participate in community climate change and or sustainability partnerships?
No
The Office of Sustainability, Natural Sciences Dept and Service Learning Dept are currently developing a relationship with local small businesses through the local chamber of commerce. Goals: 1. sharing info about successful EE projects and ghg redux with local small businesses 2. engaging students in work on EE evals and ghg reduction projects for local small businesses.
Energy & Finances
Energy Efficiency Projects
Number of Energy Efficiency Retrofit Projects planned, but not yet implemented:
15Number of Energy Efficiency Retrofit Projects completed since signing the ACUPCC:
65Number of buildings that have received a green building certification since signing the ACUPCC:
6
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:
$500-999kEstimated amount saved to date from implementing your CAP projects:
$250-499k
- Financing Methods utilized for Mitigation or Renewable Energy Projects:
- Other
-
All funding for ghg reduction and other sustainability projects comes from the Facilities Management operating and capital budget.
- Other
Non-public data
For more information about Bentley University's climate & sustainability efforts please click here