Q: What does it mean to be carbon neutral?

A: “Carbon Neutral” means operating with zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: What are greenhouse gases?

A: Greenhouse gases” are the six greenhouse gases covered under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).  Greenhouse gas emissions tend to be stated in metric tons of equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide for simplicity.

Q: How is carbon neutrality achieved?

A: To achieve carbon neutrality, an entity either (i) produces no emissions in its operations, or (ii) balances the carbon emissions it does produce with actions that reduce an equivalent amount of carbon emissions somewhere else.

Q: How does Catawba College measure carbon emissions?

A: Catawba College tracks carbon emissions in accordance with the guidelines established by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment. These guidelines require measurement of Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions.

These emissions are defined by Second Nature as follows:

• Scope 1: Direct Emissions – Scope 1 emissions are those that are physically produced on campus (e.g., on-campus power production, campus vehicle fleets, refrigerant leaks). These sources are “owned or directly controlled” by your institution.
• Scope 2: Indirect Emissions – Scope 2 emissions are mostly associated with purchased utilities required for campus operation. They are indirect emissions resulting from activities that take place within the organizational boundaries of the institution, but that occur at sources owned or controlled by another entity, such as emissions caused indirectly by the College’s purchases of electricity. These are emissions from coal, natural gas, and other generating sources that supply power to Catawba College through the electric grid.
• Scope 3: Induced Emissions – Scope 3 includes emissions from sources that are not owned or controlled by the campus, but that are central to campus operations or activities (e.g., non-fleet transportation, employee/student commuting, air travel paid for by your institution). Source: https://secondnature.org/signatory-handbook/measuring-progress/

Q: Can you describe Catawba’s Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions?

A: Catawba’s emissions generally consist of the following:

• Scope 1: Direct Emissions – Catawba’s Scope 1 emissions come from the use of natural gas for heating, water heating and cooking, the campus vehicle fleet, refrigerant leaks, and some nitrogen fertilizer use.
• Scope 2: Indirect Emissions – Catawba’s Scope 2 emissions come from our electricity provider’s use of coal and natural gas to produce the electricity the College purchases from the power grid.
• Scope 3: Induced Emissions – Catawba’s Scope 3 emissions come from all required Second Nature categories, including emissions from employee and student commuting, study abroad air travel, and directly financed travel. The College chose to report on emissions related to solid waste and wastewater treatment and removal, purchased paper, estimated losses from electricity in transmission and distribution, and upstream emissions from energy-related actives.  Although some emissions reporting protocols include emissions related to production of food and supplies other than paper, Catawba does not currently include these categories in its Scope 3 emissions.

Q: What has Catawba done to lower its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions?

A: Over the last three decades, Catawba College has implemented a series of energy efficiency and renewable energy project that have lowered its Scope 1 direct emissions and its Scope 2 indirect emissions.  These include:

• Installation of geothermal heating and cooling system for many of the College’s buildings that consists of 16 wells across campus.
• Installation of 837 kilowatts of photovoltaic panels that provide solar power.
• Installation of 76 solar thermal modules capable of producing 3,169,200 BTUs of hot water per day.
• Construction of 20,000 square feet of LEED-certified building space.
• Numerous energy efficiency projects including LED lighting and other improvements.

Q: What are carbon offsets?

A: Carbon offsets are projects that reduce or eliminate carbon emissions at another site. Entities can purchase the rights to emissions reductions created by an offset project.

Q: What are Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)?

A: Developers of renewable energy projects can sell the carbon-free aspects of their generated electricity as credits, which are called Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).  Buyers of RECs can use these credits to offset the electricity they use that was produced by carbon-intensive methods such as coal or natural gas.

Q: Where has Catawba College obtained RECs?

A: Catawba College has purchased Renewable Energy Credits from two North Carolina Solar Farms. These Renewable Energy Credits come from the 3 MW Scotland Neck Solar Installation in Halifax County and the 5 MW Chocowinity Solar Project in Beaufort County.

Q: How are Catawba College’s Offsets and RECs certified?

A: Catawba College’s North Carolina RECs are certified through Green-e, a globally trusted certification body through the Center for Resource Solutions. The Buncombe County Landfill Gas Project is a third-party verified carbon offset project on the Climate Action Reserve.

Q: What is Catawba College’s gross emissions footprint?

A: Catawba College’s total gross emissions footprint is 5,407 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCDE) with the following breakdown:

• Gross Scope 1: 1,083 MTCDE
• Gross Scope 2: 2,480 MTCDE
• Gross Scope 3: 1,844 MTCDE

Q: How do Catawba College’s gross emissions compare to other North Carolina schools?

A: Catawba College’s gross emissions fall below its in-state peers on a per full-time equivalent student (FTES) basis:

• Catawba College: 8 MTCDE per FTES
• Duke University: 5 MTCDE per FTES
• UNC Chapel Hill: 9 MTCDE per FTES

The Center for the Environment facility opened in 1996 and instantly became a model of sustainability as one of the first “green” buildings constructed in the state. Aspiring to lead by example, it has  encouraged others to use environmentally friendly products and practices in the construction of new facilities since its inception.

This structure reflects the spirit of the college’s Environment and Sustainability program. Long before construction began in November 1999, the planning process engaged everyone from donors and the College president to faculty, staff and students. The 21,000-square-foot building emerged as a three-dimensional incarnation of the Center’s sustainable curriculum — an exciting teaching tool, as well as an environmentally friendly sound project.

Located on the edge of the College’s 189-acre ecological preserve, it merges seamlessly with the natural environment. Everything about the facility — from the site design to the environmentally friendly building materials, from energy and water conservation issues to recycling and waste management — is grounded in principles of sustainability. For example, Catawba College students implemented the waste reduction plan, recycling more that 86 percent of the construction waste. This facility represents now and to future generations Catawba College’s commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of the earth’s resources.

In 2021, the Center celebrated its 25th anniversary, inviting serious reflection on the many ways it has brought positive change to our community and our region – efforts that have laid the foundation for the next 25 years.

Renovations on the facility began in 2022 with a planned completion date of 2023.

COLLEGE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

• Presidents' Climate Commitment
  Catawba College joined close to 300 other colleges and universities nationwide in supporting the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). It is now known as the President’s Leadership Climate Commitment, and is managed by Second Nature, an organization whose purpose is to “expand higher education’s ability to solve pressing sustainability challenges."
• Facilities Department and Environmental Services
  Share your ideas! The Environmental Services department plans, implements and maintains environmental sustainability, waste reduction and recycling programs for the college community. This includes educating faculty, staff and students in new and innovative ways to promote good ecological practices. 
• Center for the Environment
  Get involved in the Center! The Center works to educate our students and the public about environmental stewardship and sustainability. Opportunities abound for students, faculty and staff, and its many partners and volunteers to participate in programs and activities that promote sustainable solutions in the community, the region and beyond. The Center is strongly involved in area environmental matters and lends its leadership and expertise on issues ranging from air and water quality to land preservation and sustainable development. The sustainable facility serves as a model for green building practices and is an effective teaching tool as well as a nationally recognized example of the sustainable use of the earth's resources.
• Chartwells Dining Service
  Eat mindfully! Chartwells is proud to be Catawba's foodservice management team and knows that campus dining is an important part of your experience as a college student. Chartwells strives to make the campus community's dining experience the best it can be by providing good, nutritious food in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. You can participate in Chartwells’ reusable to-go box program for students, faculty and staff. Tray-less dining helps reduce excess waste. In addition to conventional dishware, Chartwells has compostable, disposable plates and utensils that you can request they use when catering your student club event. Catawba also maintains a relationship with nearby Gallins Family Farm to recycle campus food waste.
• Commencement
  Catawba College graduates help make the world a better place by wearing sustainable caps and gowns made from fabrics sourced from renewable managed resources.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Abernethy Village features five residence halls, all of which are fully LEED certified, have energy efficient lighting, Energy Star appliances (washers & refrigerators) and geothermal heating and cooling. As older residence halls are renovated, they are updated with energy efficient designs, fixtures and appliances. 

REPURPOSE

Our Facilities department seeks to repurpose campus owned furnishings that are in good condition wherever possible. Additionally, items that are in good shape but no longer needed by the College are donated to charity (the local Habitat ReStore).  

ELEMENTAL EFFORTS 

LIGHT – HEAT – WATER – EARTH – AIR – METAL

Solar panels are installed on the roof of nine buildings on campus providing energy and solar water heating, and a solar panel array covers a large section of the stadium parking lot, generating energy and providing shade.

LIGHT

Photovoltaic Panels

• Woodson Hall
• Stanback Hall
• Robertson College-Community Center
• Hayes Field House
• Abernethy Physical Education Center
• Corriher-Linn-Black Library
• Williams Music Building
• Center for the Environment

Solar Water Heating

• Woodson Hall
• Stanback Hall
• Barger-Zartman Hall
• Hayes Field House
• Abernethy Physical Education Center -
  • Also features an energy efficient gas and electric heat pump system
• Cannon Student Center
• Center for the Environment -
  • Solar photovoltaic panels power the building exterior water pump system and provide power to charge the Center’s electric vehicle used in the Preserve
  • Low E2 glass glaze

Lighting & Fixtures

• Energy efficient LED fixtures are installed in all campus residence halls and in many of the instructional buildings. 
• The Center for the Environment features Motion sensor lighting, toilet, sinks and hand dryers

WATER

Geothermal heating and cooling

• Abernethy Village: Purcell, Graham, Fuller, Goodman East and Goodman West residence halls
• Center for the Environment
• Williams Music Building
• Hurley Hall
• Salisbury-Rowan Residence Hall
• Woodson Hall
• Stanback Hall
• Hayes Field House
• Runoff water from the geothermal system that heats and cools the Hayes Field House is captured in a 20,000 gallon storage tank and used to irrigate all of the college’s athletic fields -  approximately 30 acres
• Water collected in geothermal storage was used to refill the 210,000-gallon swimming pool in the Abernethy Physical Education Center.
• Low-flush toilets are installed in all residence halls.
• Greenhouse gutters on the Shuford Science Building collect rainwater that can be used to water plants. 

AIR

Our Center for the Environment has championed numerous Clean Air initiatives. The triangular flag that is mounted below the Catawba College flag that flies in front of the Hedrick Administration building is a daily update on the status of our air quality, which is indicated by the color of the flag.

EARTH

• FRED STANBACK JR. ECOLOGICAL PERSERVE
  Our own 189-acre natural wetland habitat, home to native NC wildlife, including ducks,
  herons, foxes, raccoons, turtles, beavers, and salamanders.
• COMPOSTING
  Catawba College partners with nearby Gallins Family Farm to compost campus food waste.
• CAMPUS GARDEN
  Initiated by a group of enthusiastic students, the campus garden serves as an outdoor classroom instructing students in hands-on learning of growing techniques.

METAL

The Catawba College Facilities department maintains a metal recycling dumpster to collect any metal construction debris or other metal materials such as damaged unusable file cabinets, and for disposal of other metal components and items that cannot be repurposed.

• Metal (and glass) vending machines are Energy Star-rated and LEED-certified.

Meet the director, as well as the faculty and staff that are the driving force behind the Center for the Environment's programs and initiatives.