LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville is close to meeting its first benchmark in its goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
A report released by the university today shows that between 2008 and 2016, UofL’s net carbon emissions dropped more than 18 percent to 177,704 metric tons. That is equivalent to taking more than 8,000 cars off the road or recycling almost 13,000 tons of waste.
“As part of the university’s 2010 Climate Action Plan, interim goals were set in place to keep us on track,” said Justin Mog, assistant to the provost for sustainability initiatives, who issued the report. “UofL is now very close to meeting its 2020 goal of reducing net carbon emissions by 20 percent. Our students are making investments in their futures, and our university’s commitment to fighting climate change is tangible proof of our investment in the common future of our shared planet.”
Reductions in electricity use and fuel and paper consumption were responsible for most of the progress. Composting and planting/maintaining trees helped offset a small percentage of carbon emissions.
The 2006-2016 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory is an estimate of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the activities of more than 30,000 students, faculty and staff, as well as the operation of nearly 8.5 million square feet of buildings on all three campuses – Belknap, Health Sciences Center and Shelby.
UofL became part of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2008 and adopted a comprehensive Climate Action Plan in 2010.
The plan is a roadmap to achieve net climate neutrality by 2050 with interim goals for emissions reductions along the way. The goal for 2020 is a 20 percent reduction (since 2008); the goal for 2030 is a 40 percent reduction.
For more information, contact Mog at 502-852-8575 or justin.mog@louisville.edu.
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