Duke University announced its intention to become "climate neutral" by the year 2024. The university’s current inventory is about 300,000 metric tons
of annual greenhouse gas emissions. Most of this comes from energy and
transportation uses, and includes commuter travel, air travel and the
campus fleet of buses.
The plan means making reductions by making smarter choices about energy use, transportation, among other daily actions. Duke said it will mitigate the impact of emissions it cannot reduce by investing in “carbon credits.” Projects such as methane capture and specialized forest management to avoid, reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere. But they will "specifically target regional offsets rather than distant ones,” said Executive Vice President Tallman Trask III of the Nicholas School of the Environment.
Trask said. “This will help us address our carbon footprint as well as improve the local environment and quality of life here in North Carolina.”
Duke has launched its Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative and officials hope the venture will spur innovation and further research in this emerging market. These offset projects will provide academic opportunities for faculty and students.
As one of its first major actions, Duke will soon reopen its historic East Campus steam plant, which has been converted from coal to natural gas. This cleaner fuel will mean Duke can reduce its coal consumption by 70%.
View the complete plan and further details here.
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