Progress on 5% reduction in GHG emissions over 5 years: The Ellensburg campus saw a 1% drop in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions from 2018 (24,038.9 MTCO2e) to 2019 (23,885.0 MTCO2e). The CY 2018 & 2019 GHG Mitigation Activities Report was submitted to Department of Ecology in July. This report highlighted CWU’s mitigation activities from the previous biennium, including efforts to increase boiler efficiency, identify leaks, and installing LED fixtures, insulation in the Central Plant, and building-level HVAC automation controllers. We expect that 2020 emissions will be lower than predicted due to building shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Progress on AASHE STARS gold certification within 5 years: Initiatives across campus are being planned and implemented that will earn credits for our AASHE STARS score. If we were to recertify this year, we would receive additional points in EN-2 for implementing additional Orientation activities, EN-11 for increasing collaboration with NW universities, EN-13 for the CLCE’s volunteer program, OP-1 and OP-2 for publishing a GHG inventory, PA-2 for implementing sustainability planning, and PA-9 for organizing a Council on Investor Responsibility. In order to achieve a Gold rating, many new sustainability initiatives will need to be taken on and implemented by divisions across the university. UPCOMING RISKS Meeting our ambitious internal sustainability goals and Washington State sustainability legislation will require an immense amount of dedication and resources. There are upcoming risks that will affect our university if we are not in compliance. • HB 2311: GHG emission limits for Washington State agencies: By 2030, CWU must reduce GHG emissions 45% below 1990 levels. By 2050, a 95% reduction in emissions must be realized. Our biggest risks to compliance are our natural-gas boilers, which are responsible for 62.3% of our Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions. We cannot meet Washington State legislation without addressing our fossil fuel fueled heating and cooling system. • HB 1257: EUI targets for buildings over 50,000 sq ft: CWU has ~21 buildings on campus greater than 50,000 sq ft that must meet energy use intensity targets set by HB 1257 by June 1, 2028. We must establish a strategy to calculate the EUI of each of our buildings, conduct ASHRAE Level 2 audits of buildings to identify energy efficiency projects and secure funding to carry out these projects. CWU is committed to reduce the university’s carbon footprint by optimizing operations, administrative, and academic processes. This commitment was put into practice over the past eight months through a number of sustainability initiatives across curriculum, engagement, operations, and planning and administration. MARCH-OCTOBER 2020 SUSTAINABILITY INITATITIVES Curriculum : • The first cohort of Sustainability Certificate students graduated (June 2020) • Twenty students enrolled in ENST499 Campus Sustainability and implemented impactful campus sustainability projects (Spring 2020) • SUST301 was submitted for inclusion in the General Education program (October 2020)
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