| Schools and the Opportunity to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions |
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| On January 9th, 2008, CHPS called together a group of stakeholders to discuss schools and their impact on climate change, and how CHPS can address greenhouse gas emissions in its 2009 Criteria revision. Presenters discussed greenhouse gas emissions and buildings, calculating emissions, building and policy solutions and model programs in other building sectors. |
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Some of the key findings and ideas from the meeting were the following:
1. School design and construction greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions account for 5-7 times the amount of operating an average school for 7 years.
2. The largest single contributor to GHG emissions in schools on an ongoing basis is transportation to and from school. The major barrier to reducing the impact in this area is student safety on transportation routes to and from school.
3. State Architect David Thorman stated that the Division of the State Architect (DSA) is working to reduce barriers on new technology adoption such as solar by finding new and faster ways for DSA to approve their use.
4. DSA plans to hold four workshops in the spring to discuss the states "grid neutral" schools plan. There will be a workshop on planning, design, financing and technology.
5. Life cycle impacts need to be taken into consideration in calculating climate impact because a vast majority of GHG's come from indirect sources. (Stan Rhodes SCS)
6. Larry Schoff (E2S / DOE) stressed the importance of operations and management of the school on an ongoing basis in ensuring high performance benefits and GHG targets are achieved. How do we modify behavior and encourage collective action?
7. There is a need for more interactive education on school performance to the community. This led to discussion of more formal reporting requirements for CHPS schools.
8. "You can't control GHG emissions if we can't measure them" said Charles Eley of CHPS. CHPS needs to establish a way to calculate school GHG emissions (via a "climate calculator") for new school construction and ongoing operations. CHPS should utilize existing metrics and techniques for measuring emissions.
9. CHPS should consider a higher level of recognition or point offering in its rating system for schools that pursue credits that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
10. Federal, state and utility incentives are essential for implementation of many greenhouse gas emissions reducing measures.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included representatives from:
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State Agencies
California Air Resources Board
California Energy Commission
California Department of Public Health
California Department of Education
California Department of General Services
California Division of the State Architect
California Integrated Waste Management Board
California Office of Public School Construction
California State Allocation Board
New Hampshire State Department of Education
Utilities
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Pacific Gas and Electric
Non-Profit Organizations/Municipalities
City of Berkeley
Kyoto USA
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
New Hampshire Partnership for High Performance Schools
Northeast Environmental Partnership
School Site Solutions
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School Districts and Schools
Chartwell School
Santa Cruz City Schools
San Diego Unified School District
San Jose Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Companies
3 E International Incorporated
CTG Energetics
Energy Efficient Solutions
Gelfand Partners Architects
Gensler
Greenbank Associates
Honeywell Building Solutions
Ice Energy Inc.
Interface
KEMA
Lionakis Beaumont Design Group, Inc.
Parsons - 3DI
Richmond Energy Associates
Rollow Associates
SCS ASTM
Zinner Consultants
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| Presentations |
Estimating the Carbon Footprint of Schools (498 KB)
CHPS Executive Director Charles Eley discussed schools and their contribution to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. |
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Climate Change Overview, GHG Building Related Emissions, School Related Impacts (333 KB)
Dana Papke from the California Air Resources Board gave an overview of the issue. |
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ARB Climate Change Efforts & CA Climate Action Registry Overview (CARROT) (204 KB)
Dana Papke from the California Air Resources Board discussed the state's plan and progress for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. |
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ASTM/ANSI Life-Cycle Impact Assessment Standards
Stan Rhodes from Scientific Certification Systems discussed existing life-cycle greenhouse gas impact metrics options. |
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The Climate Change Calculator Project
Elizabeth Durney from KEMA discussed existing climate change/greenhouse gas calculator options. |
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Berkeley Climate Initiative & EPA Climate Calculator for Schools (188 KB)
Timothy Burroughs from the Berkeley Climate Initiative covered the city's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
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The Helios Project (847 KB)
Tom Kelly from Kyoto USA discussed this project to put solar systems at all of Berkeley's schools. |
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Green California Schools: Grid Neutral by Design (706 KB)
State Architect David Thorman, Office of Public School Construct Executive Officer Rob Cook and Roy McBrayer, Deputy to the State Architect and Program Manager, CA Green Building Initiative, presented on the state's plan to create a program for Grid Neutral schools for 2009. |
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| Resources |
REPORT: Reducing US Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much at What Cost?
McKinsey & Company, a research-based consulting company, has produced a comprehensive report on the scope of the climate change problem and the cost of solving it through varied technologies.
http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/ccsi/greenhousegas.asp |
Contact CHPS with questions: 877-642-CHPS or email: info@chps.net |
