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From Climate Action toward Regeneration at Cal Poly Pomona
Setting the Bar High to Achieve Climate Neutrality
Kyle D. Brown, Ph.D., ASLAJune 17th, 2014
Use of reclaimed water for irrigation in the 1960s
Early Campus History with Sustainability
Establishment of Center for Regenerative Studies in 1994 (now Lyle
Center), recognized for its collective impact toward a sustainable
future, convening diverse groups of students, academic experts,
policy makers and community members committed to catalyzing pro-
environmental change.
Lyle Center graduate class conducted first greenhouse gas
emissions inventory for campus
Recent Campus History with Sustainability & Climate Action
President Ortiz became the 27th signatory of American College and
University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
Climate Commitment Task Force formed
Climate Action Plan Adopted
University initiates interdisciplinary M.S. program in Regenerative
Studies through the Lyle Center – first program on campus
focused on environmental sustainability and regeneration
2004
2007
2007
2007
2008
2009
University adopts environmental sustainability as one of six core
values of institution
Proposes a 2030 target date for climate neutrality
Climate Action Plan @ Cal Poly Pomona
Outlines 18 benchmarks for progress in facilities, transportation,
education, research and outreach
Uses boundaries and parameters established by the ACUPCC (in
effect in 2009) for determining definition and pathway to neutrality
Carbon Neutrality Target of 2030 – How we got there.
Modeled “business as usual” emissions through 2030
Agriculture/ Landscape
Carbon Neutrality Target of 2030 – How we got there.
Modeled reduction scenarios to determine pathway to neutrality
Building retrofits and New Building Efficiency
Carbon Neutrality Target of 2030 – Progress to Date
Substantial increase in on-campus housing
(19% of students live on campus in 2012, up from 12% in 2005)
On-Site Renewables – More than 4,500 solar panels since 2005
The Focus on Climate Neutrality
Allows us to use a single parameter, GHG emissions, in evaluating
proposals and projects
Relatively easy to measure cost effectiveness in determining
priorities (GHG emissions reduced per $ spent)
Boundaries of the ACUPCC define what we measure and what we
don’t
The Focus on Climate Neutrality
Emissions estimates based on questionable data and assumptions,
particularly for large emitter categories like commuting.
ACUPCC boundaries give us permission to ignore known climate
impacts (food, water, non-commuting trip behavior, etc.)
Other environmental impacts may be de-prioritized if not measured
in substantial GHG emissions.
Campus community tells us they are concerned about other issues
(STARS, real food, water, public health).
Environmental Sustainability as a Core Value
We recognize our responsibilities to the global community and
value the importance of applying and advancing sustainable
practices in the classroom and on our campus
One of six core values of the institution, in addition to
polytechnic identity, academic quality, learn by doing, teacher-
scholars, and celebration of diversity
While essential, climate action is not enough to advance this
value.
Beyond Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions, while a useful indicator, are only
one pollutant of concern
California Enviroscreen, a program of the Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, documents pollution
burdens for census tracts in California.
The assumption is that health concerns stem not from any single
source or toxin, but a cumulative burden of multiple sources
experienced by residents
Cal Poly Pomona is subject to pollution burdens greater than
97% of the 8,000+ census tracts in California
Traffic16%
Tox Release16%
PM2.514%
Ozone13%
Pesticides10%
Diesel PM9%
Drinking Water6%
Solid Waste6%
Haz. Waste4%
Cleanup Sites3%
Groundwater Threats3%
Contributors to Pollution Burden @ Cal Poly Pomona University
Source: Kyle D. Brown, 2014 – Derived from Data from DRAFT CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCREENING TOOL, VERSION 2.0 (CALENVIROSCREEN 2.0)
State Median
Source: Kyle D. Brown, 2014 – Derived from Data from DRAFT CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCREENING TOOL, VERSION 2.0 (CALENVIROSCREEN 2.0)
State Median
California Enviroscreen Pollution Burdens for UCs
Source: Kyle D. Brown, 2014 – Derived from Data from DRAFT CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCREENING TOOL, VERSION 2.0 (CALENVIROSCREEN 2.0)
Toward Regeneration – Catalyzing Change
In response to broadening environmental concern, Climate
Commitment Task force has shifted to the Environmental
Sustainability Task Force
Climate action remains a foundation of our work, recognizing its
utility as a broad indicator for environmental impact
President formed the Sustainability Working Group @ the Lyle
Center to support the task force in terms of:
• Improving data for estimating environmental impact
• Developing additional metrics helpful in gauging progress
• Catalyzing pro-environmental change on campus and in the
community, in support of the University’s core value.