{"id":3428,"date":"2023-06-30T21:16:58","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T21:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/green-nau\/?page_id=3428"},"modified":"2025-03-11T16:27:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T16:27:53","slug":"nau-climate-action-plan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/green-nau\/nau-climate-action-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"NAU Carbon Neutrality Action Plan Main Page"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carbon Neutrality Action Plan<\/div><\/div><\/h1>\n

NAU is committed to carbon neutrality by 2030. Located in Arizona, we face increased environmental vulnerabilities such as water scarcity, extreme heat waves, wildfires, and public health issues. As an institutional leader, NAU is responding to this global issue with a focus on adaptability, innovation, and stewardship. Recognizing the urgent need to rapidly adopt renewable energy solutions and sustainable operations responding to the deep commitment of the larger NAU community to carbon neutrality action and sustainability, President Cruz-Rivera has committed<\/a> to:<\/p>\n

\u201cheightened investments of the university community\u2019s time, talents, effort, and resources to securing the conditions needed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030\u201d.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

NAU is a leader in higher education for sustainability and a founding signee of the American College & University Presidents\u2019 Carbon Neutrality Commitment (ACUPCC) and the Second Nature Carbon Pledge in 2007. NAU is proud of the City of Flagstaff’s Emergency Declaration<\/a> and its leadership within our community.\u00a0We are focused on community engagement to ensure that we create a plan that reflects the current needs of our greater campus community.<\/p>\n\n

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<\/div>\n Read the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan Assessment Report\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/a>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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FY24 Annual Sustainability Report<\/p>\n

Read the report here!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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How NAU will accomplish these goals:<\/div><\/div><\/h2>\n

The carbon neutrality action efforts detailed within the CAP are not just about <\/span>what NAU will do<\/span><\/i> but <\/span>how NAU will implement these actions<\/span><\/i> in a cost-effective manner aligned with NAU\u2019s mission and commitment to \u201c<\/span>educate, support, and empower students from all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to reach their full potential and contribute to a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future\u201d<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Maximizing Resource Conservation and Efficiency Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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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.<\/p>\n

Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Purchasing Clean and Renewable Electricity Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Transitioning to carbon-free electricity to power NAU’s operations will result in a 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.<\/p>\n

Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Decarbonizing District Heating and Cooling Systems Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Natural gas represents 42 percent of NAU’s current carbon emissions. NAU will address this by converting the 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 campus resilience before eliminating natural gas. Also, NAU will convert the current natural gas-powered building boilers and all on-campus appliances to electric.<\/p>\n

Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Electrifying NAU\u2019s Fleet and Eliminating Emissions\u00a0 Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Electric vehicles are a way to demonstrate NAU’s commitment to a carbon-free future and will reduce current emissions by approximately five percent over the next eight years by right-sizing the fleet and producing cost savings over the lifetime of each vehicle compared to internal combustion engines. Other benefits include reducing noise and air pollution. NAU has recently approved an all-electric vehicle purchasing policy.<\/p>\n

Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Creating a Culture of Sustainability Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Minimizing waste, reducing campus water usage, enhancing commuting options, adopting sustainable university-sponsored travel policies, and a focus on behavioral change will strengthen the university’s culture of sustainability and reduce associated Scope 3 emissions. Through policy changes, outreach, and sustainability-focused behavioral change programs, NAU will create a recognizable culture of sustainability.<\/p>\n

Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Tracking Progress: Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting for Scopes 1-3 Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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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.<\/p>\n

Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Cultivating a National Model of a Living Laboratory Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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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 also to ensure it is preparing students, staff, and faculty to meet the environmental challenges of the 21st century.<\/p>\n

Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Fundamentals<\/h3>\n\n
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Policy Development Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Goals for future development of NAU policy regarding carbon neutrality and sustainability:<\/p>\n