Climate
In addition to actively increasing the university’s resilience to climate events such as severe storms, temperatures and water (flooding or drought), NC State is reducing its climate impact through emissions-reducing strategies that minimize energy consumption.
Goal
NC State aims to reach climate neutrality by 2050 — a goal that was developed following the university’s 2008 signing of the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. Signed by more than 650 colleges and universities, this national pledge challenges campuses to recognize their climate impact and work to reduce campus emissions.
NC State outlined its emissions-reducing strategy in a 2010 Climate Action Plan:
- Avoid emissions-intensive activities
- Reduce emissions by increasing efficiency of campus operations
- Replace high-emission energy sources with reliable, cost-effective low-emission energy sources
- Offset emissions that cannot be eliminated
Progress
Since the university’s inaugural Greenhouse Gas Inventory in 2008, emissions have dropped 13.5 percent with the largest reductions coming from electricity, refrigerants and commuting.
Resources
Climate Action Plan
2008 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
2010 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
2013 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Southeast Climate Science Center at NC State
Southeast Regional Climate Hub at NC State