Auraria Climate Action
Learn about the Auraria Campus' greenhouse gas footprint and how the ASCP plans to reduce it!
Climate Action Plan
The Auraria Board of Directors officially approved the Climate Action Plan (CAP), the first formal update in 15 years, developed by the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP)! This bold plan sets a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, targeting key areas like energy, transportation, and waste. Read the full CAP below.
AURARIA CAMPUS' CLIMATE CRISIS RESPONSE
In 2008, the three academic institutions comprising the Auraria campus signed the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) pledging to reduce campus emissions 20% (below 2008 levels) by 2020, 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. However, a 2018 special report from the IPCC suggests that more immediate and aggressive reductions are required to prevent catastrophic warming. The state of Colorado has passed a law calling for statewide reductions of 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
KEEPING TRACK OF OUR EMISSIONS
The 2019 GHG Inventory quantifies greenhouse gas emissions generated from activity pertaining to the Auraria campus over the course of fiscal year 2019 (July 2018 - June 2019). This page serves to help the Auraria campus community to visualize the scope and source of our campus' emissions.
Note: While this inventory is not completely exhaustive (as it does not include a full supply chain inventory, embodied energy, etc.), it depicts emissions for activities that Auraria has the most direct control over and fully encompasses the emissions we are asked to report on as a higher education institution (Scope I and II).
GHG REDUCTIONS & EMISSIONS
ACUPCC REDUCTION TARGETS (2008 BASELINE)
GHG reductions in FY2018 and 2019 are attributed nearly entirely by Xcel Energy's addition of renewable sources to the grid that supplies the Auraria Campus.
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FY2020 is slated for a 18.5% reduction due to a 35% ownership of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) associated with the 2019 installation of the Auraria Library solar array. It offsets ≈2.5% campus electricity consumption.
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In 2025, Auraria updated its baseline for measuring emissions from 2008 to 2019 to align with federal/state frameworks, Science-based Targets (SBTI), and Colorado's Building Performance Standards (HB21-1286). The 2019 baseline will improve the integrity of the data as well as provide a snapshot of normal operations pre-COVID-19. Auraria will continue to track the 2008 data to remain cohesive with Colorado GHG Targets (SB23-016).
BUILDING ENERGY
Emissions from Buildings/Energy Consumption (MTCOâ‚‚e)
COMMUTING
Commute Mode by Headcount
Walk
Students
2.10%
Faculty
4.40%
Staff
2.48%
All
2.21%
496,486 mi commuted
Bike
Students
4.00%
Faculty
7.40%
Staff
5.90%
All
4.23%
2,096,200 mi commuted
Carpool
Students
0.90%
Faculty
2.50%
Staff
1.86%
All
1.01%
1,275,326 mi commuted
Bus
Students
10.60%
Faculty
12.80%
Staff
15.22%
All
10.92%
13,778,829 mi commuted
Drive Alone
Students
29.10%
Faculty
36.00%
Staff
31.99%
All
29.53%
53,167,649 mi commuted
Light Rail
Students
53.20%
Faculty
36.90%
Staff
42.55%
All
52.00%
84,934,090 mi commuted