PITT CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
STRATEGIC SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
The Wedge Diagram! - Pitt’s Pathway to Neutrality
READ ABOUT AND ACCESS THE FULL PLAN AT PITT WIRE
In Feb 0f 2020, the University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced that Pitt was committing to a climate neutrality date of 2037, their 250 year anniversary. Pitt has completed greenhouse gas inventories since 2008 and is a signatory of Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment, but has never established a forward looking neutrality plan. BUSS is currently leading Pitt’s first Climate Action Plan, building on Steven' Baumgartner’s work leading the Pitt Sustainability Plan.
The CAP is adhering to the requirements outlined by Second Nature and outlining an action-based plan to achieve a Carbon-neutral Pittsburgh campus by 2037 with interim goals of:
Reduce GHG emissions 50% by 2030 from 2008 baseline.
Produce or procure 50% of the University’s electricity from renewable resources by 2030.
Achieve 2030 Challenge goals of 50% reduction below the national average in energy and water use intensity (consumption per square foot) by 2030.
Achieve 2030 Challenge goal of 50% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from commuter travel and direct transportation by 2030 (from 2013 modeled Oakland baseline).
The framework of the plan is outlining neutrality pathway which also ensure that a) the educational mission of Pitt is enhanced; (b) equitable process and outcomes are ensured; and (c) Pitt is mindful of externalities facing the region that influences their economic resilience.
BUSS is working closely with Pitt’s Carbon Commitment Committee and leading virtual engagement through the pandemic, meeting University groups where they are through various of on-line workshops, surveys and interviews. Plan is scheduled to be completed by first quarter 2021.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Client: University of Pittsburgh Date: 2020-2022
Webinar: “Academics, Equity, and Resilience: Building Pitt’s First Climate Action Plan”.
Watch Aurora Sharrard, Director of Sustainability at Pitt and Steven Baumgartner present PittCAP process and progress at a Sept 2021 AASHE Webinar.
Youtube link to the right and more information about the webinar on AASHE’s website here.
Over the past 5 years, Steven and I have worked across sectors, projects, committees, and approaches on a wide variety of visions, plans, implementations, policies, and physical developments Steven’s experience, technical approach, and thoughtfulness is both deep and broad. He works hard to achieve the inclusive collaboration required to create the truly sustainable places and communities we all crave and need to thrive. Steven’s astute observations, recommendations, and partnership has been imperative to help create, grow, and evolve the University of Pittsburgh’s sustainable future, while strengthening and contextualizing the Pittsburgh sustainability region’s goals and approaches.
- Aurora Sharrard, PhD, LEED AP BD+C, LFA, Director of Sustainability, University of Pittsburgh
Pitt’s 2023 Projected Energy Sankey Diagram
(widths of flows in relative kBtu)
