A New Approach to Offsetting: The College of William and Mary Offset Program Max Cunningham (2013) Dr. John Swaddle

The College of William and Mary Suburban Williamsburg, VA About 5,800 undergraduate students Public University

Sustainability Initiative Sustainability has grown within the last four years – Committee on Sustainability Improving transportation sustainability – Carpooling – Public transit usage – Offsetting?

Carbon Offset Defined Compensating for personal emissions Example: Flight from Richmond, VA to Singapore – Direct Flight: 7,600 lbs of CO 2 To offset: contribute to a carbon reducing project – A town in Kansas replaces its coal plant with wind energy

Carbon Offset Companies Offset companies identify carbon reducing projects For profit – Prefer big donors as official partners Less than transparent – Unclear how donated money is spent

The W&M Solution Launch our own W&M Offset Program – 100% of money goes toward energy reduction projects on campus – Give full transparency to donors

The W&M Solution Cont. Program design: – Identify carbon-reducing projects on campus Example: HVAC renovations Members of W&M community offset their activities by contributing to W&M improvements

Examples ActivityOffset Contribution Carbon Offset (Metric Tons of CO 2 ) Airplane Flight to Asia$ Airplane Flight to New York $90.12 Driving an SUV for 1,000 miles $470.59

Current Status Experimental stage – Results pending Advertisement and promotion Eventual broader participation

Web of Interaction Study Abroad Admissions Athletics Commuters Alumni Board of Visitors Conferences

Implications Ease of implementation – Economic setting Put carbon offsetting on a local level – Sustainability reaching a new audience Drive towards carbon neutrality – Education

Acknowledgements Funding – William and Mary Committee on Sustainability Collaborators – Dan Patterson, Energy Manager – Sarah Hanke, Sustainability Fellow – Development – IT – Creative Services – Study Abroad – Admissions – Alumni Association – Facilities Management If you want to offset: