The University has reduced its energy-related carbon footprint almost 30 percent below 2007 levels, according to a sustainability report released by the Office of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Initiatives, a subset of Facilities Management.
Practices encouraging energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction and recycling have enabled the University's pursuit of a smaller environmental footprint, according to the report.
The University's reduction of carbon emissions represents a significant improvement over the previously articulated goal of reducing emissions by 19 percent. If carbon emissions had continued to grow at the 2007 rate, the University's carbon footprint would be more than twice what it is today, said James Giarraputo '15, EcoReps coordinator for Facilities Management.
The reduction comes as part of a larger initiative outlined under former President Ruth Simmons in 2008 to improve the University's environmental impact. It is especially significant because it occurred despite much energy-demanding construction, said Christopher Powell, director of sustainable energy and environmental initiatives.
Powell attributed some of the reduction in carbon emissions to the switch from fuel oil to natural gas, which was implemented in 50 campus buildings since last spring. Projects like improving insulation in many buildings and implementing a solar power system for the athletic facility pools have also increased heat energy efficiency, he added.
As the technical aspects of facilities are addressed, sustainability efforts going forward will need to focus on raising environmental consciousness, said Stephen Maiorisi, vice president for Facilities Management.
Behavioral changes were promoted along with the implementation of thermal radiator valves in Keeney Quadrangle, Wriston Quadrangle and Pembroke residency halls, Giarraputo said. The change followed a successful pilot study in Olney House and Diman House, he said. EcoReps has also worked to encourage students to keep the windows closed and adjust the heater to change the room temperature, he added. It is "nice to see that it's been effective," he said.
The transition to single-stream recycling - with blue bins for all recyclables and gray bins for trash - has also been a significant area of positive behavior change for students, Giarraputo said.
Facilities Management hopes to continue emphasizing student behavior while also working to further integrate staff, faculty and the community into the process, said Powell, who will work closely with the Strategic Sustainability Advisory Committee to craft more concrete plans. Labs, which account for 35 percent of campus energy usage, serve as an example of one challenge, Powell added, noting the continued priority of balancing safety with efficiency.
Such wide-reaching priorities for integrating environmental consciousness in academic, co-curricular and operational ways define the top-tier sustainable campuses, said Paul Rowland, executive director of media inquiries for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. He added that Brown stood out to him as a campus that has continued to be very active in its commitments and leadership in sustainability.
The University has made "very good progress" since Simmons' starting goals, Maorisi said, adding that it will be taking the necessary "next steps" toward improving sustainability on campus and in the community.
