Achieving Deep Reductions in Drexel's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Project Title and Description

Achieving Deep Reductions in Drexel’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The United States has set a target of 83% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The City of Philadelphia and Drexel University will need to make reductions on this scale in order to contribute to meeting this national goal. Drexel University recently completed a study of options for reducing greenhouse gas emission by 80% for the City of Philadelphia (Foti et al. 2015). The strategies identified by the study include widespread and significant retrofits to buildings to improve energy efficiency, the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and the generation of electricity from renewable resources. However, the study did not look specifically at how Drexel could reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions. The university commissioned a study that developed an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions (Pennoni 2011) but has not yet established a long term plan for deep reductions in these emissions. While the university has reduced its emissions through purchasing low carbon electricity, subsidizing employee use of mass transit, and adopting LEED standards for new construction, there needs to be a plan to ensure that these programs are properly designed and capable of achieving the desired reductions in emissions. This project will develop such a plan for the university. It will begin by applying the emissions reduction strategies identified by Drexel’s study for Philadelphia (Foti et al. 2015) to the emissions inventory for the university (Pennoni 2011). While strategies suggested by Foti et al. are expected to be helpful, the specifics of Drexel’s building stock and activities will allow a more detailed analysis. The results of this study will provide valuable guidance to Drexel and serve as an example of how generalized guidance on emissions reduction strategies can be applied to develop a site-specific plan.

References

Foti, R., P. Gurian, J. Wen, C. Hunold, et al. Options for Achieving Deep Reductions in Carbon Emissions in Philadelphia by 2050. Drexel University. 2015.

Pennoni 2011. Drexel University Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Fiscal Year 2011, Pennoni Associates, Philadelphia, PA.

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Patrick Gurian

Please contact the faculty advisor at pgurian@drexel.edu.

Team Make-up by Discipline