From Green Right Now Reports
A worker installs solar panels at American University's School of International Service. Photo: Jeff Watts
American University plans to become a carbon-neutral campus, and the Washington D.C.-based institution is even willing to set an ambitious deadline: 2020.
“We have used the geographical limitations of our urban 84-acre campus in the nation’s capital to our advantage to more aggressively pursue renewable energy and carbon offsets,” said Chris O’Brien, director of sustainability. “Of the few plans that call for earlier carbon neutral dates, American University’s size, location, and academic focus make our active pursuit of sustainability distinctive.”
To meet its goals, AU will employ four strategies: reduce consumption, produce renewable energy, buy green power and buy and develop carbon offsets.
American, Northern Arizona State University, Antioch University, and the University of Montana are the only doctorate-granting universities with 2020 carbon neutrality dates. The announcement comes two years after President Neil Kerwin signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), pledging that AU would work to achieve carbon neutrality.
Of the 685 signers, 200 have submitted plans thus far. Many call for carbon neutrality by 2025, 2040, or 2050.
A recent purchase of wind-generated renewable energy credits equivalent to 100 percent of the university’s annual electricity usage has already helped the university progress more than halfway toward its carbon-neutrality goal. The campus also features a new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold-designed building for the School of International Service, and the university is participating in a pilot program with the U.S. Green Building Council to develop a streamlined approach to green building certification for campuses.
Currently, a team is working to certify 30 AU buildings to LEED standards.
American University’s student population is around 11,000, counting undergraduates and graduates.