Climate Action Plan Goals

Summary of Actions: Reduction in commuter-related emissions from single occupancy vehicles through research and subsequent actions to expand alternative commuting modes in conjunction with Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA), and the City of Flagstaff. Additionally, launch a student Ecopass pilot project in conjunction with marketing to encourage students to leave cars at home. Target commuting through our behavioral-based conservation programs, and enhance infrastructure to support electric micro-mobility commuting options (i.e. scooters, EVs, e-bikes, etc.).

Goals: Reduction in the number of students bringing cars to Flagstaff and corresponding financial savings to students and families (I.e. annual cost of car ownership is $6k-12k), improved health and safety of faculty, staff, and student commuters, decreased contribution of NAU to Flagstaff traffic congestion, student engagement and high impact learning.

Future Action: 

• Conduct a survey to understand why students bring cars to campus and what alternative mobility options would be most valuable
  • Outcome: Foster a better understanding of what NAU can do to discourage single-occupant vehicles and encourage micro-mobility and alternative forms of transportation
• Expand pilot Ecopass program for students
  • Outcome: Reduced demand for single-rider transportation
• Develop a campus transportation demand management plan.
  • Outcome: Consolidation of all emissions and travel data. Identification of evidence-based strategies to reduce single-occupancy vehicle commuting to campus
• Develop plans, policies, outreach, and engagement to reduce commuter emissions
  • Outcome: Reduction in scope 3 emissions; reduction in traffic congestion; student health
• Expand the Yellow Bike program
  • Outcome: Zero-emission transportation that is free for students

Summary of Actions: Reduction in emissions associated with university-sponsored travel by converting all business trips to electronic data collection to better track emissions. Develop a data tracking system for all student travel as part of College of International Education (CIE), or University related travel. By having more accurate information, we can identify key areas for Scope 3 emissions reduction plans.

Outcomes: Accurate tracking of university-sponsored travel while developing a comprehensive strategy for minimizing travel-related emissions.

Benefits: Reduction of university emissions while reducing potential costs created by reducing university travel overall.

Uncertainties: Possible new and innovative strategies could be developed for addressing university-sponsored travel-related emissions. Note: Emissions also depend on airlines’ decarbonization strategies.

Future Action:

• Convert all business travel tracking to electronic data collection
  • Outcome: Increased data tracking to support Scope 3 emission calculations
• Develop a data tracking system for athletic team travel (air, vehicle, hotel)
• Develop a data tracking system for all student travel as part of CIE (air, vehicle, hotel)

Summary of Actions: The largest carbon footprints associated with landscaping are due to water usage and the embodiment of carbon in landscape construction, in particular concrete production. Our climate action focus is to decrease emissions through the use reduction and more efficient use of outdoor water; establishment of landscape performance standards and certification requirements to ensure climate mitigation and adaptation measures are implemented; and conversion and installation of landscaping to reduce urban heat islands (UHI); while increasing sustainable maintenance practices. Restorative and regenerative approaches will be elevated, with a focus on resiliency for campus trees and forested areas, stormwater management, and campus gardens. Increasing the use of sustainable forms of transportation and providing healthy connectivity are also included.

Outcomes: Reduced water usage, reduced landscape maintenance associated with mowing, herbicides, and pesticides, performance and/or certification requirements for construction, renovations, and maintenance with documented impacts.

Benefits: Reduced carbon emissions associated with the energy required for water usage; cost savings reinvested in improved landscapes that provide additional carbon sequestration; more resilient tree plantings; increased landscape biodiversity; reduced carbon footprint associated with embodied carbon in materials; increased student health and learning opportunities.

Uncertainties: ROI analyses are needed to determine the length of time for investments to be recaptured.

Future Action:

• Reduce non-functional turfgrass areas by converting to drought-tolerant, low-water use native grasses or planting beds.
  • Benefits: Supports healthy ecosystems and habitat for native species; increases in nature-based landscapes and biodiversity; increased well-being through connections to nature; increased carbon capture, reduced carbon footprint, and increased resiliency.
• Establish landscape performance and/or certification requirements for new construction and renovation projects.
  • Benefits: Reduction of the carbon footprint of construction and renovation projects; reduced ongoing landscape maintenance costs; reduced operational requirements and carbon impacts; increased carbon sequestration.
• Improve the operational efficiency of campus irrigation systems.
  • Benefits: Reduced water leaks; elimination of unnecessary water usage; tailored irrigation operations by landscape type to maximize efficiency; reduction of water usage costs.
• Develop preservation and resiliency standards for campus trees and forested areas.
  • Benefits: Reduced water use and plant replacement costs; regionally appropriate landscaping that enhances campus aesthetics, social spaces, and sense of place; landscaping that will survive and thrive in changing conditions; increased biodiversity; increased forest health and resilience.

Summary of Actions: The pathway to waste minimization on campus will focus on expanding access to recycling fixtures in public areas, adopting a campus-wide policy for consistent waste container design/labeling, developing a compost collection program for campus residents, expanding the scope and capabilities of the current composting program, minimizing waste left by contract partners, and making a significant investment in education/outreach programs to reduce the waste generation in general.

Outcomes: A significant increase in recyclable materials being sent from campus to waste partners. Further reduction in organic matter output from Campus Living Communities, special events, and dining facilities

Benefits: Overall waste output reduction from campus as well as additional community engagement through the advancement of the compost program and availability of seasonable compost for personal use.

Uncertainties: Outcomes and benefits rely on the campus community being active participants in the programs and making informed decisions regarding waste generated in offices and living spaces.

Future Action: 

• Develop and implement a campus-wide waste reduction and recycling education and outreach program
• Institute a policy for campus vendors that requires the minimization and removal of excess packaging waste so that it is not disposed of using university infrastructure
• Establish a comprehensive food recovery program that brings leftover food to students or community members and operates in all sections of campus dining
• Develop policies to reduce single-use plastics
• Standardize zero-waste athletic events

Summary of Actions: Even as we reduce and hopefully reverse human-caused emissions, communities around the world will continue to experience the impacts of warming that have already been set in motion: more extreme weather events, drought, extreme heat, and food insecurity. These events have mental, physical, and economic costs, so as we reduce emissions, we must also build resiliency into our infrastructure and communities. These changes will come with policy changes, opportunity development, and adapting plans for the betterment of the community.

Outcomes: Informing policy changes to consider resilience and adaptation. Create opportunities for students to study climate change and its impacts.

Benefits: Creating a healthy, informed campus community that feels empowered to address and study the impacts of climate change.

Uncertainties: It is still uncertain which physical and cultural impacts the NAU community will face as a result of climate change. Recommendations will need to adapt to the reality of future climate change and the needs of the community.

Future Action: 

• Develop a vulnerability analysis for NAU, to assess risks and vulnerabilities from climate change and climate impacts. Ensure that natural disasters are addressed in terms of increased risk and the need to adopt a resilience plan. Include analysis for campus operations, faculty and staff, and students.
  • Benefits: Assess the risks climate change poses to the community and the best ways to mitigate those risks; ensures that we are better prepared to adapt to the changes expected to result from varying climate patterns
• Address mental health and climate anxiety among NAU students, faculty, and staff
  • Benefits: Providing better access to mental health resources in the Flagstaff community; creating a healthy campus community that feels empowered to act on climate change
• Develop resilient green spaces and landscaping
  • Benefits: Create spaces where students can recognize the multiple values of the natural world and engage in learning about native vegetation