This highlights the change in both gross emissions and net emissions on Colgate’s campus from 2009 to 2023. Gross emissions are the emissions directly attributable to Colgate’s actions on campus, including fuel usage, energy production, transportation, etc., minus the carbon sequestered by the University forest. Net emissions are the gross emissions minus purchased carbon offsets, which fund several beneficial projects around the globe. Read more about our carbon offsets here: https://sites.google.com/colgate.edu/colgate-carbon-offsets/
As an important pillar in Colgate’s Third-Century Plan, the University has been determined to advance sustainability and reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The 5,360 MTeCO2 (*) measured in Fiscal Year 2023 was Colgate’s lowest GHG emission total since recording began in Fiscal Year 2009, representing an approximate GHG reduction of 70 percent.
These reductions in emissions championed by Colgate are led by numerous efforts across campus. One significant initiative has been updating our heating process to prioritize wood chip burning as Colgate’s primary heat source. Since upgrading our wood chip loading and handling system and partnering with a new wood chip supplier, we have increased our wood chip efficiency, allowing us to reduce reliance on more expensive and higher-emission heat sources such as natural gas and fuel oil. This modification allowed Colgate, in Fiscal Year 2023, to use the least amount of natural gas and fuel oil in recent history. Notably, the winter of 2023 was also the mildest since 2017, allowing the University to significantly reduce the reliance on heating fuels, one of Colgate’s highest sources of annual emissions.
Another significant area that has supported Colgate’s continual reduction in GHG emissions has come from the Green Revolving Loan Fund, which involves project proposals that are evaluated based on both sustainable criteria and financial savings. Since 2017, several highly effective projects have created both an initial reduction in GHG emissions and continue to provide avoided emissions on an annual basis. For example, this fund has consisted of lighting upgrades, fuel oil to natural gas conversions, and other projects that have resulted in emissions reductions in recent years.
Similar smaller-scale projects are also conducted both within and outside of the loan program, and they continue to support Colgate’s GHG reduction efforts. These projects range from the replacement of fume hoods in STEM labs to converting our fleet of golf carts from gasoline-powered to electricity-powered. This highlights the fact that there is no single solution for reducing Colgate’s remaining GHG emissions. Instead, the campus achieves reductions through numerous projects, each chipping away at the University’s emissions and collectively making a significant impact toward the ultimate goal of a sustainable future.
Questions about Colgate Sustainability? Email sustainability@colgate.edu with questions or visit the website.
* MTCO2e stands for metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Further details can be found at https://climatejargonbuster.ie/kb/mtco2eq/**
** “MTCO2EQ.” Climate Jargon Buster, https://climatejargonbuster.ie/kb/mtco2eq/. Accessed June 26, 2024.