From Climate Action toward Regeneration at Cal Poly Pomona

Setting the Bar High to Achieve Climate Neutrality

Kyle D. Brown, Ph.D., ASLAJune 17th, 2014

Use of reclaimed water for irrigation in the 1960s

Early Campus History with Sustainability

Establishment of Center for Regenerative Studies in 1994 (now Lyle

Center), recognized for its collective impact toward a sustainable

future, convening diverse groups of students, academic experts,

policy makers and community members committed to catalyzing pro-

environmental change.

Lyle Center graduate class conducted first greenhouse gas

emissions inventory for campus

Recent Campus History with Sustainability & Climate Action

President Ortiz became the 27th signatory of American College and

University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)

Climate Commitment Task Force formed

Climate Action Plan Adopted

University initiates interdisciplinary M.S. program in Regenerative

Studies through the Lyle Center – first program on campus

focused on environmental sustainability and regeneration

2004

2007

2007

2007

2008

2009

University adopts environmental sustainability as one of six core

values of institution

Proposes a 2030 target date for climate neutrality

Climate Action Plan @ Cal Poly Pomona

Outlines 18 benchmarks for progress in facilities, transportation,

education, research and outreach

Uses boundaries and parameters established by the ACUPCC (in

effect in 2009) for determining definition and pathway to neutrality

Carbon Neutrality Target of 2030 – How we got there.

Modeled “business as usual” emissions through 2030

Agriculture/ Landscape

Carbon Neutrality Target of 2030 – How we got there.

Modeled reduction scenarios to determine pathway to neutrality

Carbon Neutrality Target of 2030 – Progress to Date

2012 Inventory estimated 58,000 tonnes eCO2

Building retrofits and New Building Efficiency

Carbon Neutrality Target of 2030 – Progress to Date

Substantial increase in on-campus housing

(19% of students live on campus in 2012, up from 12% in 2005)

On-Site Renewables – More than 4,500 solar panels since 2005

The Focus on Climate Neutrality

Allows us to use a single parameter, GHG emissions, in evaluating

proposals and projects

Relatively easy to measure cost effectiveness in determining

priorities (GHG emissions reduced per $ spent)

Boundaries of the ACUPCC define what we measure and what we

don’t

The Focus on Climate Neutrality

Emissions estimates based on questionable data and assumptions,

particularly for large emitter categories like commuting.

ACUPCC boundaries give us permission to ignore known climate

impacts (food, water, non-commuting trip behavior, etc.)

Other environmental impacts may be de-prioritized if not measured

in substantial GHG emissions.

Campus community tells us they are concerned about other issues

(STARS, real food, water, public health).

Environmental Sustainability as a Core Value

We recognize our responsibilities to the global community and

value the importance of applying and advancing sustainable

practices in the classroom and on our campus

One of six core values of the institution, in addition to

polytechnic identity, academic quality, learn by doing, teacher-

scholars, and celebration of diversity

While essential, climate action is not enough to advance this

value.

Beyond Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions, while a useful indicator, are only

one pollutant of concern

California Enviroscreen, a program of the Office of

Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, documents pollution

burdens for census tracts in California.

The assumption is that health concerns stem not from any single

source or toxin, but a cumulative burden of multiple sources

experienced by residents

Cal Poly Pomona is subject to pollution burdens greater than

97% of the 8,000+ census tracts in California

Traffic16%

Tox Release16%

PM2.514%

Ozone13%

Pesticides10%

Diesel PM9%

Drinking Water6%

Solid Waste6%

Haz. Waste4%

Cleanup Sites3%

Groundwater Threats3%

Contributors to Pollution Burden @ Cal Poly Pomona University

Source: Kyle D. Brown, 2014 – Derived from Data from DRAFT CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCREENING TOOL, VERSION 2.0 (CALENVIROSCREEN 2.0)

State Median

Source: Kyle D. Brown, 2014 – Derived from Data from DRAFT CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCREENING TOOL, VERSION 2.0 (CALENVIROSCREEN 2.0)

State Median

California Enviroscreen Pollution Burdens for UCs

Source: Kyle D. Brown, 2014 – Derived from Data from DRAFT CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCREENING TOOL, VERSION 2.0 (CALENVIROSCREEN 2.0)

Toward Regeneration – Catalyzing Change

In response to broadening environmental concern, Climate

Commitment Task force has shifted to the Environmental

Sustainability Task Force

Climate action remains a foundation of our work, recognizing its

utility as a broad indicator for environmental impact

President formed the Sustainability Working Group @ the Lyle

Center to support the task force in terms of:

• Improving data for estimating environmental impact

• Developing additional metrics helpful in gauging progress

• Catalyzing pro-environmental change on campus and in the

community, in support of the University’s core value.