Climate Action Plan

As a community and economic leader entrusted to empower the next generations and to leave them a habitable planet, NAU must achieve its ambitious 2030 goal in a cost-effective, transparent, just, and community-centered and engaged way.

Here’s how:

Resource efficiency: NAU can cut 20 percent of its current Scope 1 and 2 emissions by maximizing energy and water efficiency. Maximizing our efficiency yields an estimated $2.8M in annual utility savings by 2030, as well as improved occupant comfort, function, and resiliency of NAU buildings and infrastructure.

Purchased electricity: Transitioning to carbon-free electricity to power NAU’s operations will result in a dramatic 54 percent reduction in NAU’s current operating emissions and signal to the NAU community, state, and nation our commitment and capacity to get to net zero.

NAU’s district heating and cooling systems: Natural gas represents 42 percent of current carbon emissions. Converting NAU’s district heating system to low-temperature hot water and connecting north and south plants are two initial steps necessary to maintain system function and to improve climate resilience before eliminating natural gas.

Electrifying NAU’s fleet: Electric vehicles are a high-visibility way to demonstrate commitment to a carbon-free future and will reduce current emissions by approximately five percent over the next 8 years by right-sizing the fleet and producing cost savings over the lifetime of each vehicle compared to internal combustion engines. Co-benefits include reducing noise and air pollution.

Creating a culture of sustainability: Minimizing waste, reducing campus water usage, supporting behavioral change programs, enhancing commuting options, and community training, and adopting sustainable university-sponsored travel policies will enrich and strengthen the university’s culture of sustainability and reduce associated scope 3 emissions.

Tracking NAU’s progress: By partnering with and supporting NAU’s in-house expertise and certificate program in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting will help NAU quantify its progress and stay accountable to its community. Creating a national model of a living laboratory: NAU has a wealth of expertise and energy in its classrooms and laboratories today. Investing in students, staff, and faculty through the Sustainable Campus Ecosystem Initiative is a cost-effective impact multiplier, enabling NAU not only to realize these sustainability goals in the community as a living laboratory, but to ensure it is preparing students, staff, and faculty to meet the climate challenges of the 21st century.