Addressing Campus Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

Climate Action Plan

(2020-2050)

UNC Asheville’s Office of Sustainability

sustainability.unca.edu

April 2023
 UNC Asheville Climate Action Plan
Table of Contents

I. Introduction: Sustainability at UNC Asheville...………………………………….….. 3

II. What are Scope Emissions?..…………………………………………………..……………….7
III. Short-term Proposed Actions (2020-2030)…………………………………………….. 10
IV. Medium-term Proposed Actions (2030-2040)………………..…………….…………15
V. Long-term Proposed Actions (2040-2050)……………………………………....……..17
VI. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………….……………………..….19

Contributors:
● Alison Ormsby, Director of Sustainability, Lecturer in Environmental Studies
● Jackie Hamstead, Former Co-Director of Sustainability, Environmental Specialist
● Dan Croisant, Facilities Mechanical Engineer, Building Automation System Administrator
● Evan Couzo, Associate Professor of Education/Atmospheric Sciences
● Kelsey Hall, Environmental Studies Student (Management and Policy), December 2020
Graduate
● India Appleton, Environmental Studies Student (Management and Policy), December 2021
Graduate
● Lindsey Nystrom, Environmental Studies Student (Environmental Equity), May 2022
Graduate
● Allyson Fouts, Environmental Studies Student (Management and Policy), May 2022 Graduate
● Lief vanSliedrecht, Mechatronics Engineering Student, May 2023 Graduate
● Corey McVay, Applied Math Student, May 2023 Graduate
● Anna-Lisa Keller, Biology, May 2022 Graduate
● Kathleen Lawlor, Associate Professor of Economics
● Mae Tesh, Political Science Student, May 2022 Graduate
● Julia Weber, Interdisciplinary Studies student, December 2023 Graduate
● Mars Zappia, Biology and Chemistry student, May 2025 Graduate
● Jordan Zimmer, Environmental Studies Student (Management and Policy), May 2021
Graduate

A special thanks to Brailsford & Dunlavey, who provided pro bono consulting support to help with
the development of this plan.

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 I. Introduction: Sustainability at UNC Asheville

This Climate Action Plan for the University of North Carolina Asheville outlines short,
medium, and long-term action goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, organized by decade. It
was approved and endorsed by the UNC Asheville Sustainability Council on April 7, 2023.
The initial draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) was written by a small group of students from Evan
Couzo’s Spring 2020 Communicating Climate Change class, in collaboration with Dr. Alison Ormsby
(Director of Sustainability) and Dr. Couzo. The draft has gone through many steps and revisions,
with the input of numerous students, staff, and faculty. Students have been actively involved in the
development of the CAP and implementation of actions within the plan. At this time, the CAP does
not include actions related to food on campus, or our campus investments (either endowment or
retirement plans). These elements may be added in a future version of the CAP, which has to be
revised every five years.
The plan aligns with the UNC Asheville and UNC System goals of carbon neutrality by 2050. In
2017, Buncombe County adopted a resolution to use 100% renewable energy throughout the county
by 2042. Our campus actions will help to support this goal.
One of the core values of UNC Asheville, is to “educate students about all dimensions of
sustainability” and “model sustainable campus practices.” Included within this document are
background information and action ideas to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses that UNC
Asheville emits.
According to the UNC System Office’s Sustainability policy on climate change mitigation and
renewable energy, “The University shall develop a plan to become carbon neutral as soon as
practicable and by 2050 at the latest, with an ultimate goal of climate neutrality.” Based on this
mandate from the UNC System Office, 2050 was selected as the target date for UNC Asheville’s
campus carbon neutrality. The university Master Plan is also designed on a 2050 timeline.
The main campus of UNC Asheville is located in North Asheville and is 400 acres. UNC
Asheville is a community of about 3,000 undergraduates, 300 faculty members, and 400 staff
members. There are many campus initiatives relating to sustainability, including features relating to
solid waste reduction, food systems, renewable energy, and sustainable transit. The campus is
trying to increase bike lanes, and all students, faculty, and staff can ride city buses for free. Through
the Key Center for Service Learning and the McCullough Fellows program, among other initiatives,
there are many campus and community connections.

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 The Bike Shop on Campus

The University has had a decades-long, systematic approach, to reducing its consumption of
resources and impact on the environment. This has led to the University consistently having one of
the lowest energy use and water use per square foot of building space within the UNC System over
the last twenty years. Strategies utilized include a campus wide electric demand limiting system,
integrated building automation controls system, load matching on airside and waterside distribution
systems, ground source heating and cooling systems, solar thermal systems, solar photovoltaic
systems, rainwater capture and reuse, and low flow plumbing fixtures. Ground source heat systems
could be added under green spaces, fields and parking lots on campus, and in conjunction with new
buildings.

Ground Source Heat Pump Wells on the Quad; LEED Sign for The Woods

Natural areas on campus include Glenn’s Creek Greenway, Reed Creek, the Botanical
Gardens, campus gardens, pollinator gardens and the Bee Hotel, and the Chestnut Ridge forest.
Farming and gardens to locally source food makes locations more climate resilient. Food security is a
form of climate resilience and preparedness.

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 Castanea Campus Garden and Pollinator Garden including Campus Bee Hotel

What is a Climate Action Plan (CAP)?

The main goal of this document is to introduce the elements of the campus Climate Action
Plan (CAP) – a detailed and strategic framework for measuring and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and related climate impacts. This CAP identifies steps to help UNC Asheville strive for
carbon neutrality by the target date of 2050. This document will be adapted and revised every five
years as required by Second Nature, the organization coordinating the Carbon Commitment
nationwide.
In line with UNC Asheville’s core value of diversity and inclusion, equity is an integral part of
this CAP. By using a holistic approach, working with the local Asheville community, encouraging
collaboration across every department and organization on campus, this CAP works to address the
climate crisis and help prepare the campus and community for climate resilience through action at
UNC Asheville. Climate action cannot happen without a focus on climate justice. NEMAC, based at
UNC Asheville, has completed a Climate Resilience Assessment for the City of Asheville, resulting in a
Resilience Plan. As a key part of the Asheville community and landscape, by UNC Asheville managing
our campus lands and stormwater runoff responsibly, we lessen the burden to local streams and
rivers and potential flooding events, and are good community land stewards. We also lessen the
burden for future students, staff, and faculty and for future generations of community members.
The campus also serves as a cool green oasis as the city of Asheville grows and experiences more
urban heat island effect.
The UNC Asheville community’s dedication to reducing emissions and promoting
sustainability began in the 1970s when the university established campus-wide thermostat

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setpoints. In 1996, UNC Asheville approved a Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Policy, aiming to
“demonstrate major reductions in utility consumption without significant impact on occupancy
comfort.” This policy was issued five years before North Carolina issued General Statute 143-64.12,
requiring UNC system schools to develop a plan to accomplish similar goals.
Chancellor Cable signed the nationwide Carbon Commitment on behalf of UNC Asheville on
March 30, 2021. The UNC Asheville Sustainability Council is the campus’s internal structure for
reporting on the Climate Action Plan. Within one year of signing, a greenhouse gas inventory was
due, and was submitted in May 2022. Within two years of signing, the Climate Action Plan and date
for achieving carbon neutrality are due, with interim target dates for actions. The carbon neutrality
date has been set for 2050. Interim target dates are included in our Climate Action Plan. Annual
evaluations of progress will be submitted to Second Nature, coordinated through the Office of
Sustainability.
Efforts to link carbon neutrality actions to course curricula all across campus will be made,
including through the Sustainability Certificate program and the new Climate Resiliency Masters
program. It is also recommended that a sustainability-focused course be required at UNC Asheville
as part of the Liberal Arts Core. Through the Climate Action Plan, students will be able to learn
about climate change through the university’s mitigation efforts, and have an active role in studying
related topics and participating in CAP initiatives. Elements of this plan and project ideas can be
incorporated into student summer research as well as class projects.

Chancellor Cable signing the Carbon Commitment in March 2021

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 II. What are Scope Emissions?

Greenhouse gas emissions are categorized according to their sources; these categories are
known as Scope 1, Scope 2, or Scope 3. Scope emissions refer to where and how a place emits
greenhouse gasses. Scope 1 emissions come from on-campus operations, both stationary and mobile
sources. Scope 2 emissions are from purchased energy. Scope 3 emissions include processes related to
UNC Asheville activities, including all other emissions produced off-campus as a result of university-
related activities, such as students, faculty, or staff traveling for study abroad, athletics, or recruitment.
The scope emissions allow us to clearly identify where greenhouse gas reduction actions on campus
need to be made. We use the Sustainability Indicator Management and Analysis Platform (SIMAP) to
conduct a greenhouse gas inventory for campus each year.

Scope Emission Factors Tracked and Reported through SIMAP

On-Campus Stationary Sources Scope 1

Direct Transportation (Mobile) Sources Scope 1

Refrigerants and Chemicals Scope 1

Agricultural Sources Scope 1

Purchased Energy (e.g.: from Duke Energy) Scope 2

University-Financed Travel Scope 3

Commuting (Faculty, Staff and Students) Scope 3

Study Abroad Travel Scope 3

Solid Waste (Landfill and Recycling) Scope 3

Wastewater (Septic Systems and Treatment Scope 3

Plants)
Adapted from Choi and Woo (2013)1

Greenhouse gas emissions at UNC Asheville have been tracked since 2015, but not for every
category of scope emissions. Note that the Duke Energy Lake Julian power plant switched
completely from coal power to natural gas in January of 2020, resulting in a reduction of UNC
Asheville Scope 2 emissions. The figure below shows the projected scope emissions if the campus

1
Choi and Woo. 2013. Analysis of Potential Reductions of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the College Campus through the Energy
Saving Action Programs. Environmental Engineering Research. 18(3): 191-197. Retrieved July 1, 2020 from
doi:https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2013.18.3.191.

7
were to continue in “business as usual” with no efforts to make reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions. The dashed black line shows the path to reduce campus emissions by 50% by 2030, 75%
by 2040, and 100% by 2050.

UNC Asheville Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projection by Scope

Scope 1 Background

Scope 1 emissions are on-campus stationary sources, as well as fertilizers and fuel used by
campus fleet vehicles. Scope 1 includes emissions created by the combustion of fossil fuels in
heating buildings and domestic water as well as emergency power generation. Scope 1 emissions
also include gasoline and diesel used to fuel campus-owned fleet vehicles. Refrigerants that can leak
from HVAC or refrigerant equipment on campus are also Scope 1 emissions. Generally, Scope 1
emissions include all direct emissions under the control of UNC Asheville. Also in Scope 1 are
fertilizers used for landscaping, which produce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the
production and transportation of these chemicals are energy-intensive processes.
The UNC Asheville fleet is made up of vehicles owned or controlled by the university,
including the NC Motor Fleet vehicles and equipment used by Campus Operations and the Grounds
Department. Many departments on campus have vehicles that they use for work-related travel,
including campus police, campus operations, athletics, and admissions recruiting. Improved tracking
of annual mileage would help the university measure greenhouse gas emissions from the fleet and
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inform strategies to reduce fleet emissions. The stated goal of NC Executive Order 80 (October 2018)
is to “increase the number of registered, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to at least 80,000” in the
state of North Carolina by 2025. NC Executive Order 246 (January 2022) has a goal of an increase in
registered zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to at least 1,250,000 by 2030 and for 50% of sales of new
vehicles in North Carolina to be zero-emission by 2030. It also calls for transitioning all state
government vehicles to electric. In addition, Executive Order 271 (October 2022) focuses on ZEV
trucks and buses in a further effort to transition the state motor fleet to ZEVs. Thus, UNC Asheville’s
efforts to convert the NC motor fleet on campus, and all of the Campus Operations and other
departmental vehicles to electric vehicles, is compatible with the state’s goals.

Scope 2 Background
Scope 2 emissions are composed of purchased energy generated off site that is required by
campus buildings and operations. UNC Asheville creates a bi-annual energy use report for Scope 2
emissions that is submitted to the UNC state system office. UNC Asheville purchases electricity from
Duke Energy and natural gas from Dominion Energy. While Duke Energy has committed to go net
zero by 2050, this does not guarantee that the campus will reach the interim greenhouse gas
reduction goal of 50% by 2030. Furthermore, Duke Energy’s pledge does not address our campus
natural gas use, only our electric use. In addition, this anticipated conversion of our local electricity
supplier to renewable energy will only address the Scope 2 emissions for campus, and only if the
campus is fully electric, not using any natural gas sources.

Scope 3 Background
Scope 3 emissions include all other indirect emissions caused by campus operations and
activities. Scope 3 includes emissions from the following sources: disposal of solid waste at the
landfill; campus water supply and treatment; student, faculty and staff commuting; and additional
travel financed by an institution, including faculty-led study abroad, and faculty and staff attending
conferences (when funded by the university). UNC Asheville creates an annual solid waste and
wastewater report that is submitted to the UNC state system office. Efforts to decrease solid waste
on campus, such as through an on-campus composting operation, are currently being considered
and would act as a solid waste emissions offset. On-site composting programs are already run by
schools in our region, including Warren Wilson College and Furman University.
Currently, faculty, staff, and student commuting is not tracked. Some tracking could be done
through a proxy system using parking permit information. University-supported travel for
conferences and recruiting could be tracked through the Chrome River application, but is not
currently tracked. UNC Asheville faculty-led study abroad trip emissions are tracked through a
collaboration between the Office of Sustainability and the Study Abroad Office.

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 III. 2020-2030 Short-term Proposed Climate Actions

For this CAP, we have identified key target actions for three time periods (2020-2030, 2030-
2040, and 2040-2050) with the biggest impacts for greenhouse gas reductions. Note that the
estimated costs in each action table represent current prices, which likely represent an upper bound
because it is expected that technology will improve and incentives for renewables will increase as
fossil fuel prices increase. Table 1 contains the top proposed actions to be completed by 2030.

Table 1: 2020-2030 Short-term Proposed Climate Actions

Targeted Actions Responsible Anticipated Costs and Savings

Department

1. Fertilizer: Reduce campus fertilizer use. Campus Cost savings from less fertilizer
Operations, use.
Athletics

2. Energy Conservation: Install solar power on Foundation, Office For example, installing solar on
two additional campus buildings. of Sustainability Sam Millar would cost about
Note: Solar was installed on the Reuter Center $302,000 and the electricity bill
in 2022. savings over 30 years would be
about $920,000. Solar on the
Sherrill Center is estimated to
cost $694,700 and save
$2,251,000 in energy costs over
a 30-year period.

3. Energy Conservation: Install large ceiling Campus Operations Sherrill Center (est. cost:
fans in Sherrill Center, Justice Center, and $65,000), Justice Center (est.
Student Recreation Center. cost: $50,000), and Student
Recreation Center (est. cost:
$45,000). (10 year payback)

4. Solid Waste: Launch an on-campus compost Campus Estimated site preparation is

processing program. Take steps toward being Operations, SEC, $150,000.
a zero waste campus. Environmental Once established, operating
Studies Agriculture costs would be offset by savings.
class

5. Solid Waste: Provide compost bins for any Campus Each office/department
buildings not currently supplied. Initiate a Operations, SEC, purchases. Coordinated by
composting program at Sherrill Center. Work Athletics, Campus Operations and Office
Residential of Sustainability.
toward a zero waste policy.
Education

6. Solid Waste: Inventory, increase, and Campus Add 5 filling stations by 2030;
advertise the number of reusable water bottle Operations, each costs approximately

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 refill stations on campus. Add this to Design Facilities $1,200.
and Construction guidelines for new
construction and major remodels.

7. Direct Transportation (Mobile) Sources: Various Cost of setting up the initial

Have each department that has vehicles track Departments tracking, and staff time.
and report annual fleet emissions. NC Motor
Fleet vehicles are 100% electric.

8. Commuting (Faculty, Staff and Students): Parking and Submit grants to get e-bikes.
Expansion of bike lanes to fill in any gaps on Transportation, Cost per bike rack is
campus roads. Purchase e-bikes for the Bike Outdoor Programs approximately $480.
(Bike Shop), Note: UNC Asheville applied for
Shop fleet. Promote walk or bike Wednesdays.
Campus Bike Friendly designation in
Become certified as a Bike Friendly Campus Operations, SEC summer 2022 and was awarded
through the League of American Cyclists. the Bronze level in November
Install additional bike racks on campus. 2022!
Conduct an information campaign about on-
campus biking resources.

11. On-Campus Carbon Sequestration. Study Abroad Staff, faculty, and student time.
Establish a student-funded study abroad Office, Biology and
carbon offset program for trips led by UNC Environmental Cost of tree management.
Studies
Asheville. The offset program could help fund
Departments,
management of the campus forests. Complete Campus Operations Prof. Horton in Biology has
the iTree/ Open Tree Map inventory for the undertaken this project with his
university to help track carbon sequestration students.
potential.

In the Fall of 2022, with assistance from the consulting group Brailsford & Dunlavey, these
priority actions were further developed and are presented in the graphics below, in five key areas.

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 For example, a high priority is energy optimization. The two graphics further explain these
initiatives. (note: the numbers link to the final wedge graph shown in the Conclusion section).

Highlighted Priority Actions for 2020-2030

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 As noted in Table 1, another high priority area is onsite renewable energy. We are already
halfway to our 2030 goal (of adding two new solar installations) by installing solar on the Reuter
Center in 2022. On-site energy generation and storage can help with self-sufficiency and climate
resilience.

To improve UNC Asheville’s campus and community climate preparedness for natural
disasters, creating resilient buildings (e.g. Sherrill Center, Highsmith Student Union) as microgrids
with battery backup is recommended. If the Sherrill Center had a solar array with battery backup, it
could serve as an islanded emergency shelter. It has already served as a FEMA shelter in the past, to

13
house UNC Wilmington students during a hurricane evacuation. A microgrid is a small-scale, self-
sufficient energy system that functions independently or in conjunction with a large-scale electrical
supply, the electrical grid (as seen in figure below, https://climable.org/microgrids). Microgrids can
use renewable energy sources, or non-renewables like gas generators, to supply electricity for
specific buildings. Microgrids include energy storage, generally in the form of batteries. Some
connect to electric vehicle charging facilities. The Inflation Reduction Act offers many funding
opportunities that could support campus projects including solar plus battery storage for a
microgrid, and electric vehicle charging stations.

When implemented, microgrids will assist UNC Asheville in running more efficiently by
generating electricity on site and storing it for use during peak operation hours, to do what is called
“peak shaving” and lower our energy bills. This type of power generation and storage will help UNC
Asheville meet our carbon-neutral goal by enhancing reliability and resilience while lowering
emissions. It will also have the benefit of reducing peak demand costs from electric utility providers,
so will lower our energy bills. The microgrid battery storage installation can occur in phases as solar
panels are installed across campus. There is a student-faculty-staff collaboration on campus for
applied microgrid research. The estimated cost for solar plus battery storage microgrid at the
Sherrill Center is three million dollars.
A second key area in the short term is reducing the university’s carbon footprint through an
on-campus industrial composting facility. This facility would not only allow the university to reduce
its greenhouse gas emissions, but could also serve an important role in the education of UNC
Asheville’s students and the greater Asheville community. Student research projects, class tours,
and student employment centered around the composting facility would serve the educational
needs and priorities of multiple departments, including environmental studies, biology, chemistry,
economics, and humanities. North Carolina State University (NCSU) has a three-acre composting
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facility that produces a nutrient-rich soil amendment for campus landscaping and for its
Agroecological Education Farm. The facility also provides educational and environmental
stewardship benefits to NCSU’s campus by integrating professional development, student-led
academic research, leadership, and engagement with sustainability issues through hands-on
learning.
Composting diverts organic matter from the landfill and creates fertile soil. Each metric ton
of organic waste sent to the landfill releases the equivalent amount of greenhouse gasses, mostly in
the form of methane.2 By diverting organic material from the landfill and composting onsite, we
reduce our carbon footprint, since the waste no longer needs to be transported offsite.
Zero waste is an initiative that seeks to eliminate the overall amount of waste that is being
sent to landfills. Zero waste is defined and applied in different ways within communities that have
implemented a zero waste plan, but it is generally accepted that this model goes beyond
commonplace recycling and composting. Typically, zero waste plans promote intentional
composting, recycling of many kinds, and the reuse of products. Zero waste is something that
communities achieve by working together to divert waste from landfills, which involves upcycling,
recycling, and donating goods that are no longer desired or able to be used for their original
purpose. The University of California, Berkeley has pledged to go zero waste and is working to
eliminate all single-use plastics on their campus by 2030. This program is targeting plastics used in
every context on their campus, not just use pertaining to foodware, and will provide alternatives to
single-use plastic or eliminate the need for such products entirely. UC Berkeley has launched a
student-run Zero Waste Research Center that directs initiatives that ultimately support the campus’s
goal of managing waste. If UNC Asheville were to achieve being a zero waste campus, this would
extend to our athletic events, bookstore, and other campus contracted activities, as well as campus
move-out.

IV. 2030-2040 Medium Term Proposed Climate Actions

The table below contains the top proposed actions to be completed between 2030 and 2040,
although if the opportunity arises to complete them sooner, they will be pursued. New ideas and
initiatives may also be added.
The Green Lab initiative strives to promote efficiency and sustainable energy, supply, and
water use in research laboratories without compromising research quality and practices. The main
supporter of this initiative is My Green Lab, a non-profit organization that supports sustainable
laboratory practices by offering a certification process and hosting annual challenges such as the
International Laboratory Freezer Challenge. This challenge started in 2017, and has saved 14.2
million kWh of electricity in participating labs. In 2022, 65% of participating labs were academic
institutes.

2
“Composting to Avoid Methane Production.” Agriculture and Food, www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-change/composting-avoid-
methane-production

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 Heat pumps will have to be utilized to both heat and cool buildings moving forward,
replacing the use of natural gas. Currently about 12% of conditioned building space on campus is
served by heat pumps coupled with ground source heat exchangers, which is an extremely efficient
way to condition buildings. The University will have to greatly expand its ground source heat
exchange capacity across campus to meet its carbon reduction goals.
Incorporating a carbon price into the cost-benefit analyses of decisions with implications for
the University’s carbon footprint, such as infrastructure projects, can help the institution make
climate-smart choices. Including a carbon price in these analyses recognizes that the societal costs of
fossil fuel emissions is not zero. This price of emissions should be based on the social cost of carbon
(SCC), which estimates the economic value, in dollars, of the numerous societal damages of emitting
one additional tonne of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Including the SCC in cost-benefit
analyses of projects and campus actions is beneficial because it accounts for the potential negative
health and social effects of climate change in monetary terms and quantifies the economic impacts
of fossil-fuel emitting actions on human health, agriculture, property, biodiversity, as well as
numerous social impacts. Incorporation of the SCC will incentivize adoption of greener
technologies/infrastructure improvements on campus. When the university completes a life cycle
analysis for new building projects, faculty from the Economics Department can help advise how to
factor in the SCC. It is important for Campus Operations to incorporate a SCC value into their life
cycle analysis that is conducted for building renovations and capital construction. The SCC could
also factor in the health and well-being values that campus habitats and gardens provide in buffering
the urban heat island effect, which disproportionately affects low income communities. These are
demonstration sites for increasing personal and campus food security, which prepares our
community to be climate resilient.
In the medium term, the possibility of implementing an optional carbon fee for university-
funded travel (e.g. conferences) and university-led study abroad will be explored.

Table 2: 2030-2040 Medium Term Proposed Climate Actions

Targeted Actions Responsible Anticipated Costs and

Department Savings

1. Direct Transportation (Mobile) Sources: Various Departments Apply for EV charging station
Campus Operations fleet is 75% electric, grants.
with improved campus infrastructure,
including 10 additional EV charging stations.

2. Energy Conservation: Install solar on at Foundation, Office of For example, installing solar on
least two additional buildings. Sustainability the Sherrill Center would cost
about $694,000 and would have
an energy savings of $2,251,000
over 30 years.

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 3. Energy Conservation: Install two new Campus Operations, Expansion of the Main Quad
ground source heat pump systems. Student Affairs system, or under a parking lot
near Highsmith, Brown Hall
and/or Zeis.

4. Energy Conservation and Solid Waste: Biology, Chemistry $500 per lab.
Green Labs program. All equipment is Departments working
Energy Star. with Campus
Operations

5. Solid Waste: Implement a plastic-free Campus Operations, Students are researching these
campus policy. Strive to be a “zero waste” Student Affairs, SEC, initiatives.
campus. Purchasing Office

6. Purchased Energy: As proposed in the Campus Operations, Cost unknown.

Master Plan, construct an off-grid Office of Sustainability
sustainability demonstration center on
campus (including a net zero tiny home and
information kiosks about sustainability).

7. Incorporate the Social Cost of Carbon Economics Department, Estimates range, with from $51
into cost-benefit analyses of new campus Campus Operations to $185 per metric ton of
infrastructure projects emissions3.

8. Divestment: Provide a clear option in Finance, Office of Staff time.

employee retirement plans that is divested Sustainability, Board of
from fossil fuels. Trustees, Multiple
Departments, UNCA
Divest (student org)

9. Start phasing in an optional campus Economics department, Charge a scaled fee for
carbon fee for campus-funded study Study Abroad, each emissions. This fee would go
abroad and conference travel. department. into a revolving GHG reduction
campus fund.

V. 2040-2050 Long-Term Proposed Climate Actions

The table below contains the top proposed actions to be completed between 2040 and 2050,
although if the opportunity arises to complete these projects sooner, it will be pursued. New ideas

3
Rennert et al. 2022. Comprehensive evidence implies a higher social cost of CO2. Nature. 610, 687–692. Retrieved on March 23,
2023 from https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05224-9.

17
and initiatives may also be added. The Climate Action Plan will be updated and revised every five
years.

Table 3: 2040-2050 Long-Term Proposed Climate Actions

Targeted Actions Responsible Anticipated Costs and

Department Savings

1. Energy Conservation: Install green roofs and Campus Operations Collaborate with local
vegetative walls, where feasible, to increase energy and research by companies like Living
efficiency of existing and new buildings. students in classes. Roofs, Inc. to
incorporate a green roof
or wall on a future new
building or renovation.

2. Energy Conservation: Install a solar canopy on a Foundation, Office of $2.50 to $4.00 / watt of
parking lot (e.g. P1 or the Edgewood lot) Sustainability solar capture.

3. Commuting (Faculty, Staff and Students): Offer Parking and Reduced revenue from
incentives for commuters including seasonal parking Transportation parking permits.
passes, discounted parking passes for carpools, free
inclement weather parking passes.

4. Wastewater: Use a “Living Machine” strategy of Campus Operations, Cost ranges from
treating wastewater on campus as a living laboratory. Biology and $150,000 to $1million (if
Environmental made by outside
Studies departments company)

5. Business Travel (university-financed travel) and Provost’s Office; The spirit of an offset
Study Abroad: Offset university-supported travel for Individual Academic initiative is already
faculty, staff, and students attending conferences. Departments; captured by the “Honor
Advancement; Your Roots” program.
Plant a carbon sink forest to offset study abroad
faculty, staff, and Charge a scaled fee for
emissions. Continue phasing in a campus carbon fee. students GHG emissions/and
departmental travel.
This fee would go into a
revolving GHG reduction
campus fund.

6. Solid Waste: Achieve becoming a Zero Waste Athletics/Sherrill Re-negotiate contracts

campus. Center, Book Store, to include sustainability
Chartwells, all requirements.
departments.

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 6. Purchased Energy: Purchase RECs or offsets as Office of Variable, and
needed. (This approach is highly unlikely due to Sustainability, SEC, approximately
economic constraints). Advancement $234/MWh

7. Implement the Social Cost of Carbon for new Economics $185 per metric ton of
campus projects. Department, Campus emissions3; health
Operations
improvements.

VI. Conclusion

This Climate Action Plan is a necessary component of the Carbon Commitment initiative. The
plan includes proposed initiatives to mitigate emissions in the short, medium, and long term. It was
compiled by student researchers at UNC Asheville in collaboration with faculty and staff. There are
many students, faculty, and staff dedicated to seeing this initiative through to completion. A new
Climate Analyst student employee position began in Fall 2020 to continue work on annual reporting
for the Carbon Commitment greenhouse gas inventory, and Climate Action Plan efforts.
In the Fall of 2022, the consulting group Brailsford & Dunlavey created this projection graph
of campus emissions showing how various wedges of emissions would be removed due to different
greenhouse gas reduction actions. Note that this graph only addresses Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
The target is 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 100% by 2050
(shown by the dotted black line). The top black line is “business as usual” (BAU), if we were to make
no changes on campus.

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 The outcomes of the Carbon Commitment initiative, including this Climate Action Plan and
the greenhouse gas inventory, will benefit the university in many diverse ways, ranging from cost
savings, to curriculum connections, to applied learning opportunities, and providing a model of
community stewardship. The greenhouse gas inventory and Climate Action Plan can be used by
campus departments to take steps toward greenhouse gas reductions on campus. These actions
reflect the core values of UNC Asheville to both current and prospective students, faculty, and staff.
A commitment to sustainability is a pillar of UNC Asheville’s mission, and signing the Carbon
Commitment, and researching the necessary components for the Action Plan, is a crucial and
meaningful way to act on those values.

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