Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute February 12, 2009

The Presidents Climate Commitment

1.Within two months of signing this document, create institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan. 2.Within one year of signing this document, complete a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting and air travel) and update the inventory every other year. 3.Within two years of signing this document, develop an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral. Status The Presidents Climate Commitment Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible N/A

Simplifying the Types of GHG Emissions All Expressed as Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide (MTeCO2) This slide courtesy of CA-CP Scope 3: Indirect emissions including transportation, waste disposal, etc. Scope 1: Emissions from the direct activities of the campus Scope 2: Emissions from utility production not at the institution

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions at RPI

RPI’s Space and Population Gross Square Footage Total Campus GSF 3,949,863 Total GSF in Footprint 3,949,863 Student Population Total FTE Enrollment6,488 Staff &Faculty Population Faculty307 Staff1,434 Total Faculty & Staff1,741

Scope 1 Natural Gas Distillate Oil Vehicle Fleet Fertilizer Refrigerants Scope 2 Purchased Electricity Scope 3 Faculty/Staff Commuting Student Commuting Student Air Travel Solid Waste Offsets Renewable Energy Credits

GSF (In Millions) *FY09 Projections assume same non-utility emissions as FY08

Average of MTeCO 2 /1,000 GSF

Utilities – The Major Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Contributors at RPI

Electricity - Scope 2 kWh Electric Total Carbon Emissions: 27,529 MTeCO % of ’08 Total *FY09 data provided by RPI during presentation on 2/12/2009

ROPA Peer Institutions Peer Group Based On Size Complexity Location Program ROPA Energy Peer Institutions Cornell University-Endowed Dartmouth College-5 Campuses Syracuse University The College of Saint Rose The Sage Colleges Tufts University-Medford Campus UMass-Amherst University of Rochester University of Vermont Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Electric Fuel Mix Varies Across the Country

Carbon Emissions by Grid

RPI’s Power Grid Reduces its Scope 2 Emissions

Impact of Regional Fuel Mix for RPI MTeCO 2 Assume Highest Carbon Assume Lowest Carbon

Natural Gas and Distillate Fuel Oil - Scope 1 MMBTU’s Fossil Fuel Total Carbon Emissions: 19,358 MTeCO % of ’08 Total *FY09 data provided by RPI at presentation on 2/12/2009

Other Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Contributors at RPI

Source‘08 UnitsMTeCO 2 % Total Commuting Faculty/Staff: 259,488 Gallons Students: 137,393 Gallons 3,5467% Air TravelStudents: 1,001,804 Miles7782% Vehicle Fleet Gasoline: 61,065 Gallons Diesel: 8,743 Gallons 6341% Refrigerants880 Pounds6311% Solid Waste1,062 Short Tons156<1% Agriculture - Fertilizer903 Pounds4<1%

Current Assumptions StudentsFacultyStaff % Commuting by Personal Vehicle 52%100% % Driving Alone 52%100% % Driving Carpool0% % Commuting by Bus0% Trips/Day222 Days/Year Miles/Trip397 Sightlines recommends RPI take a transportation survey in order to provide a more comprehensive representation of commuting trends

Total Mileage Fuel Efficiency Total fuel consumption Number of students faculty/staff Days per year a member commutes to campus Average miles a member commutes per trip Number of trips/day per member Total Mileage Scope 3 Staff: 6.81 Faculty: 9.25 Students: 3 Staff: 250 Faculty: 150 Students: 150 Staff: 1,434 Faculty: 307 Students: 6,488 Staff: 4,882,770 Faculty: 851,925 Students: 3,036,384 Staff: 2 Faculty: 2 Students: 2 Staff: mpg Faculty: mpg Students: mpg Faculty/Staff Total Carbon Emissions: 2,318 MTeCO 2 – 4% of ‘08 Total Students Total Carbon Emissions: 1,228 MTeCO 2 – 3% of ‘08 Total Staff: 220,940 Faculty: 38,594 Students: 137,393 Staff: 4,882,770 Faculty: 851,925 Students: 3,036,384

Increasing Popularity of Study Abroad Air Travel– Scope 3 Miles Total Carbon Emissions: 156 MTeCO 2 - 2% of ’08 Total *FY06 totals used for previous years

Student Air Travel Air Travel – Scope 3 SourceCategory‘08 UnitsMTeCO 2 % of Total Air Travel Faculty0 miles00% Students1,001,804 miles7782%

Scope 3 Gross Emissions % of Total Emissions GHG Emissions from Air Travel Institutions Babson College Bentley University Gallaudet University Hamilton College Hamline University Hampshire College Le Moyne College Oregon State University Rowan University Southern Methodist University Southern Oregon University Union College University of Arkansas University of Notre Dame University of San Diego Virginia Commonwealth University Wesleyan University Western Oregon University Air Travel

Gross Emissions MTeCO2 / campus user GHG Emissions from Air Travel Air Travel Scope 3 Institutions Babson College Bentley University Gallaudet University Hamilton College Hamline University Hampshire College Le Moyne College Oregon State University Rowan University Southern Methodist University Southern Oregon University Union College University of Arkansas University of Notre Dame University of San Diego Virginia Commonwealth University Wesleyan University Western Oregon University A B C D E F G H I J K L RPI N O P Q R S

Gallons Vehicle Fleet Total Carbon Emissions: 634 MTeCO 2 - 1% of ’08 Total

Refrigerants (R-22, R-134a, R-407) - Scope 1 Pounds Refrigerants Total Carbon Emissions: 631 MTeCO 2 - 1% of ’08 Total *FY06 totals used for previous years

Decreasing Solid Waste Since FY06 Solid Waste - Scope 3 Tons Fertilizer Total Carbon Emissions: 156 MTeCO 2 - <1% of ’08 Total

Pounds Fertilizer Total Carbon Emissions: 4 MTeCO 2 - <1% of ’08 Total *FY06 totals used for previous years

FY08 RPI purchased 5,000,000 kWh of green power OffsetAmountMTeCO 2 % of Scope 2 Offset REC5,000,0002,0817.6%

Some Institutions are Using Offsets

GSF (In Millions) *FY09 Projections assume same non-utility emissions as FY08

Comparing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

National Benchmark Institutions Institutions Babson CollegeRowan University Bentley UniversitySanta Clara University Bowdoin CollegeSeattle University Carleton CollegeSouthern Methodist University – Dallas Clemson UniversitySouthern Oregon University Davidson CollegeSt. Lawrence University Eastern Oregon UniversityTexas A&M University Eckerd CollegeUniversity of Arkansas Fitchburg State CollegeUniversity of Dayton Gallaudet UniversityUniversity of Denver Grinnell CollegeUniversity of Maryland - College Park Hamilton CollegeUniversity of Notre Dame Hamline UniversityUniversity of Oregon Hampshire CollegeUniversity of Portland Le Moyne CollegeUniversity of Redlands Lewis & Clark CollegeUniversity of San Diego Loyola College in MarylandUniversity of Vermont Loyola Marymount UniversityVirginia Commonwealth University Oregon Institute of TechnologyWashington and Lee University Oregon State UniversityWesleyan University Pacific Lutheran UniversityWestern Oregon University Portland State UniversityWilliams College To be Added Soon: Champlain College Michigan State University Mount Holyoke College Nova Southeastern University The University of Alabama St. Mary’s College of CA University of San Francisco Vassar College

GreenLine Peer Institutions Peer Group Based On Size Complexity Location Program GreenLine Institutions Gallaudet University Loyola Marymount University Portland State University Rowan University Santa Clara University University of Dayton University of Denver University of San Diego Washington and Lee University Wesleyan University Williams College

Gross Emissions/1,000 GSF Peer Group

Gross Emissions/1,000 GSF Nationwide

Gross GHG/Student FTE Peer Group

Gross GHG/Student FTE Nationwide

GHG/Student FTE by Density Peer Group

GHG/Student FTE by Density Nationwide

Concluding Thoughts Centralize the tracking of emissions sources identified in this analysis Establish institutional framework to begin tracking faculty and staff air travel Roll-out transportation survey to campus users to increase accuracy of commuting emissions Utilize carbon-modeling tool during FY09 renewal for future infrastructure investments on campus Develop intermediate emissions reduction targets that are in line with the strategic direction of the institution Energy consumption is higher than both ROPA and GL peers and accounts for 90% of total emissions–energy conservation and efficiency projects should be prioritized for both monetary and carbon savings they will release

Questions & Discussion