Syracuse University Releases Updated Climate Action Plan

Last year, Syracuse University, in partnership with Student Association, announced a new set of goals to substantially enhance and propel the University’s sustainability efforts, including reaching net-zero emissions by 2032. Today, thanks to the work of the Sustainability Oversight Council and the team in Sustainability Management, the Climate Action Plan has been updated to reflect the action the University will take to achieve its aggressive climate goals.

Among the goals are:

• Achieve the University’s net-zero goal by 2032.
• Dramatically reduce single-use plastics by the 2027-28 academic year through a phased approach.

The Climate Action Plan defines a feasible path to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and details a two-phase approach to reach the goal of carbon neutrality by 2032. Those phases are:

• Phase I focuses on energy efficiency projects, the Steam Station modernization, the transition to zero emission vehicles and policy updates. Energy efficiency projects currently in progress include the installation of a heat pump at the Carriage House on South Campus and into the existing energy recovery loop at the Life Sciences Complex. Additionally, LED lighting projects are underway.
• Phase II includes the sequestration of carbon through forest properties, sequestration of carbon in the built environment and onsite renewables. The sequestration in the built environment means removing or storing carbon in construction and building materials such as mass timber or revised concrete mixes.

“Reaching carbon neutrality in eight years is an ambitious goal and the updated CAP highlights feasible strategies to get there,” says Lydia Knox, sustainability project manager. “It is exciting to see the plan laid out knowing the positive impact these projects will have on the environment and campus.”

The Climate Action Plan also highlights projects in progress and recently completed, including:

• Mechanical upgrades to the Center for Science and Technology
• LED lighting replacements in the John A. Lally Athletic Complex
• Steam Station modernization

“Many of the initiatives outlined in the plan are currently underway, and it’s encouraging to see the progress we are making in energy and emission reduction,” says Jason Plumpton, assistant director of engineering, utilities and sustainability. “We appreciate the Sustainability Oversight Council and are grateful for their valuable input during the plan’s development.”

Every year, Sustainability Management will calculate and assess the greenhouse gas inventory based on data gathered through building meters and University databases. Informed by that data, the Climate Action Plan will be adjusted and revised as necessary based on evolving technologies and regulatory changes. To read a copy of the plan visit the Sustainability Management website.