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Tracking Progress

17吃瓜在线鈥檚 sustainability progress is measured in a variety of ways that we invite you to explore on this page. 17吃瓜在线's longstanding commitment to sustainability is evident across the campus and we continue to evaluate progress and seek new opportunities.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Office of听Sustainability conducts an annual inventory of all greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere as a result of 17吃瓜在线's operations. These emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane,听contribute to global climate change.

础苍苍耻补濒听听are submitted publicly to Second Nature.

On the graph below, you'll notice that 17吃瓜在线 reached听net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, achieving听carbon neutrality听two years ahead of schedule. Reaching net zero emissions was the听product of many听programs including energy efficiency initiatives, renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable transportation programs, and zero waste efforts.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions are measured in three categories:

On-site emissions from natural gas and the university fleet.

Purchased electricity for campus use.

All other emissions including commuting, study abroad travel, athletics travel, travel for conferences and meetings, emissions from waste that goes to landfill, and other small sources of emissions.

Sustainability Metrics

Key metrics are tracked to measure sustainability progress across campus.

Click here to learn more about metrics.

Milestones

17吃瓜在线 has a long history of sustainability accomplishments.听

Learn more about the milestones here.

STARS Reporting

Greenhouse gas emissions reductions are only part of 17吃瓜在线's sustainability efforts. To measure progress in the environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability, 17吃瓜在线 uses the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Reporting System听().

STARS was created by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education听()听to help colleges and universities track progress and set goals.

17吃瓜在线 was听a听听in STARS and has completed seven听听since 2010.听17吃瓜在线 completed its seventh STARS submission in the summer of 2024, earning听a听.

How 17吃瓜在线 Reached Carbon Neutrality

17吃瓜在线 achieved the important milestone of carbon neutrality with a three step approach:

  1. Decrease emissions through efficiency and behavior change.
  2. Use renewable energy.
  3. Use offsets for the emissions we are still reducing.

Details about the approach by each scope are shared below.

17吃瓜在线 uses a number of energy saving technologies and water saving features to decrease the amount of natural gas used for heating and hot water. Solar thermal panels also allow us to use energy from the sun to create hot water and further decrease reliance on fossil fuels. 17吃瓜在线鈥檚 campus also recently transitioned from a centralized steam plant to a decentralized low temperature hot water system which will decrease natural gas and electricity use substantially.

For natural gas that 17吃瓜在线 still uses, offsets are purchased.

17吃瓜在线 decreased electricity use per square foot by more than 20% from 2005 to 2017. This reduction was achieved through individual actions, like turning off lights and unplugging chargers, efficiency upgrades like using LED bulbs on campus, and by using a building automation system that allows Facilities management to monitor buildings for unusual activity. Scope 2 emissions are further decreased with on-campus solar and electricity from our solar farms in North Carolina. 17吃瓜在线 also purchases Green-e certified renewable energy credits to match the remaining electricity used on campus.

Reduction is the first priority for all emissions. Decreasing waste and offering alternative transportation options have helped reduce emissions in scope 3. For the remaining emissions 17吃瓜在线 purchases offsets.