Climate Action at WKU

Big Red's Carbon Footprint -

Western Kentucky University Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impacts that our activities have on the environment, and in particular, climate change. We can measure our personal carbon footprint fairly easily, using an online calculator or carbon footprint tool. Our personal carbon footprint is impacted by the many choices we make in our daily lives, like the method of transportation we use, how much and what kind of energy we use in our homes, the foods we eat, and what we buy and throw away.

Specifically, a carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we produce, expressed as metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT eCO2). A carbon footprint can be assessed by performing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. For an organization such as a university, it is much the same as for an individual; WKU's carbon footprint is influenced by the type and amount of energy we use, the things we buy, our transportation uses, and what we throw away. Once our emissions inventory is determined, we can develop a strategy for reducing our carbon footprint.

 

 

 

As we continue to study our campus carbon footprint, we will better learn which actions and choices make the most sense and gain insight as to how to be a more sustainable WKU. We encourage you to measure your own carbon footprint to learn how you can live more sustainably too.

What are we doing to reduce our GHG emissions?

 

• Reducing our energy use. 

Since 2005, WKU has reduced main campus electricity use by more than 12% through conservation and efficiency measures. And we expect continued reductions, even in light of a growing campus.

 

• Replacing coal use for heat with cleaner natural gas.

In 2011, WKU said goodbye to coal, decomissioning both of the Central  Steam Plant coal boilers and firing up the efficient new natural gas boilers. The project was funded entirely through reinvestment of savings from conservation and efficiency efforts.

  

• Building greener buildings.

WKU has committed to building to (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) LEED standards for all new buildings and renovations. The first LEED building, Gary Ransdell Hall, earned LEED Gold certification in fall 2011. Other LEED certified buildings include the Music Hall and the Honors College and International Center building.

 

•  Reducing solid waste.

A constantly improving recycling and re-use program is helping to reduce solid waste at WKU. 

 

• Using cleaner fuels for transportation and grounds equipment.

The WKU shuttles run 5% biodiesel and the grounds maintenance equipment has been updated to high efficiency lower emissions models. Research into alternative vehicles is ongoing, in hopes of finding viable options for the university fleet.