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 16% reduction in University emissions as of 2012, 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. An update on these measures can be found in the 2012 Sustainability Strategic Plan Progress Report. Notable successes since the CAP was adopted in 2009 include:
Energy- Eliminated coal use on campus in May 2011
- Through efficiency upgrades to the steam system and elimination of coal, Duke has reduced emission from campus steam plants by 40% since 2007
- Achieved 18% reduction in energy emissions in 2012 compared to 2007 baseline
Transportation
- Hired Transportation Demand Management coordinator
- Launched new Bull City Connector bus
- Replaced 10 campus buses with two hybrid articulated buses and 6 ultra-low-sulfur diesel buses in fall 2011
- GoPass offers fare-free access to regional public transportation for students, faculty and staff
Offsets
- Swine waste to energy project on local farm operational May 2011
- Duke-specific offsets available for internal purchase for individuals, departments and events
- Piloted home energy efficiency project in summer 2012
Communications
- Online behavior-change campaigns such as the Green Devil Smackdown
- Sustainability signs installed in dorms and some academic buildings
- Over 8,000 subscriptions to Sustainable Duke listserv
Education
- Held three 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 are not yet reflected in emissions inventory numbers.
Climate Action Plan Documents / Presentations
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2012 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Update (PDF) |
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2012 Sustainability Strategic Plan Progress Report (PDF) |
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Sustainability Strategic Plan Fact Sheets (PDF) |
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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) |