Duke's Climate Action Plan
Duke has developed a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that will guide the University in achieving climate neutrality by 2024. This plan was developed in large part by Duke's Campus Sustainability Committee, which was formed in 2007.
CAP Recommendations
The graph below shows the potential reduction in emissions as the result of implementing recommended transportation and energy reduction measures detailed in the CAP. These measures are displayed as reductions compared to a business-as-usual scenario of 426,466 MTCO2e for the University in 2050. The remaining emissions, in purple, represent what Duke would have to offset to become carbon neutral by a particular year.
Reduction measures such as eliminating coal use on campus, energy conservation measures, installing solar PV, providing direct financial incentives for alternative transportation and improving regional transportation are several of the actions suggested in the CAP. In addition to recommendations about energy and transportation, the CAP also makes recommendations for carbon offsets, communications and education. View a more complete list of CAP recommendations or the full Climate Action Plan.
CAP Implementation
Duke has achieved an 11% reduction in University emissions as of 2011, based on a 2007 baseline. Read more about Duke's emissions reductions.
This emissions reduction can be partially attributed to energy conservation measures and an elimination of coal use on campus, as well as the implementation of other Climate Action Plan measures. Notable successes since the CAP was adopted in 2009 include:
Energy- Eliminated coal use on campus in May 2011
- Achieved 5% reduction in electricity usage in 2010 compared to 2007 baseline
Transportation
- Hired Transportation Demand Management coordinator
- Launched new Bull City Connector bus
- 2 new articulated hybrid buses on campus fall 2011
Offsets
- Swine waste to energy project on local farm operational May 2011
Communications
- Sustainability signs installed in dorms and some academic buildings
- Over 10,000 subscriptions to Sustainable Duke listserv
Education
- Held two faculty workshops on integrating sustainability into curriculum
Additional factors, such as economic conditions and emissions content of purchased electricity, have also impacted the University's emissions. Some of the more recent actions, such as the elimination of coal from the West Campus steam plant, are not yet reflected in emissions inventory numbers.
Climate Action Plan Documents / Presentations
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2011 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Update (PDF) |
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GHG Update/CAP Progress Report -- May 2011 (PDF) |
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GHG Update/CAP Progress Report -- May 2010 (PDF) |
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2008 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Update |
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Duke's 2004 GHG Report (powerpoint) |
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Duke's 2004 GHG Inventory (PDF) |