University of New Hampshire

Profile

The University of New Hampshire is located in Durham, NH. The rural campus has about 11,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students. The university has long been an active leader in sustainability, especially on issues surrounding climate change. UNH is dedicated to being a Climate Protection Campus spearheaded by it’s Climate Education Initiative, a university-wide program engaging the UNH community in climate education, outreach, and emission reductions.  The Climate Change Research Center (CCRC) of the UNH Institute of Earth, Oceans and Space is an international leader in research, and supports the University’s initiatives. UNH was among Clean Air - Cool Planet’s early and continuing partners especially on the Greenhouse Gas emissions calculator which was developed through partnership with UNH and continues to be updated with them. 

Past Initiatives

In 1997, the Office of Sustainability Programs was formed to collaborate with faculty, staff and students from across the campus and beyond to address, among other sustainability concerns, the critical issue of climate change.

In May of 2001, master’s student Adam Wilson, in conjunction with Clean Air - Cool Planet, developed a greenhouse gas emissions calculator and used it to Inventory UNH, Durham Campus Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  This inventory is continually being updated to clarify sources of emissions and to guide short and long term reduction policies including education and research.  

The campus energy office has implemented many initiatives to reduce energy consumption within the University by working to increase efficiency and promote responsible policies and actions. Among their most successful projects are heating and lighting retrofits and controls.

UNH’s Transportation Policy Committee is actively implementing Transportation Demand Management to provide effective and efficient transportation alternatives that meet commuter needs.  Efforts include the transition of UNH WildCAT shuttle buses to CNG, carpooling, and guaranteed ride home.

The University was named a CA-CP Climate Champion in 2003.

Current Initiatives

The University has worked with Clean Air - Cool Planet to update the greenhouse gas emissions calculator, user guide and frequently asked questions and inventory UNH emissions for the past two fiscal years (04 and 05). In updating it's own inventory the University found it has reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions by 5% over thepast two years.   

A co-generation project was recently completed that will significantly improve the efficiency of energy production and provide substantial overall improvements in energy efficiency for the university.

In Summer 2005, the Office of Sustainability introduced WildCAP a campus-wide, climate action program designed to help increase energy efficiency and reduce UNH’s greenhouse gas emissions through education, engagement and action-based initiatives.  Efforts include dorm based outreach to encourage energy efficient behavior and ENERGY STAR purchases and include a virtual dorm room on the web. http://www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/climate_ed/wildcap/virtual_dorm.html

A “Global Environmental Change” course continues to engage students in an active role-play of greenhouse gas emissions negotiations modeled after the Kyoto protocol. For several years running, the students have developed plans to reduce emissions at UNH, which are now being compiled and referenced for a formal campus-wide greenhouse gas reduction plan.

Future Initiatives

An Energy Task Force is working to develop new ways to reduce energy costs and consumption on campus.  This task force includes members from across campus including Housing, Residential life, Energy office, and Sustainability Programs and will promote educational and outreach programs intended to increase energy awareness and efficiency.

Contact

Sarah Cleaves
(603) 862-0172

Tom Kelly, Ph.D. Director
(603) 862-2640