Miami University’s sweeping programs for its 2040 carbon neutrality pledge have aimed to reduce emissions without changing the experience of students and faculty. While some markets, such as geothermal and solar energy allow substitutions for carbon-based power to be easily made, this is not always the case.
Air travel is an essential part of the Miami experience. Whether it be students or faculty, flights allow for cultural exchanges, research opportunities and study abroad experiences. However, there is little opportunity for choosing carbon neutral technology when it comes to flying. This complicates Miami’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality through direct and simple substitutions.
While flight emissions account for a small proportion of total carbon emission – approximately 6.7% – they are still set to be addressed and neutralized by 2040.
This will most likely be done through the use of carbon offsets, and a potential small flat fee on university sponsored air travel.
A carbon offset involves investing money into a program, such as restoring forests or investing in green energy, that will reduce an amount of carbon equivalent to that emitted by the university – effectively paying to reduce carbon emissions elsewhere in place of your own. This can be done internally through a new campus project or through a third party elsewhere.
David Prytherch, professor of geography and co-chair to the Scope 3 emissions board focusing on reducing air travel emissions, said the group wants to balance supporting the essential value of university flights with the goal of carbon neutrality.
“It’s really important to us that students have study abroad experiences, and faculty and staff go to conferences,” Prytherch said. “It’s good for the university – so it’s not something we want to zero out.”
Director of sustainability Olivia Herron said that flat fees on domestic and international flights that could be used to invest in carbon offsetting programs, ranging from $10 to $25, have worked well for other colleges committed to carbon neutrality, such as UC Berkeley.
“We really liked that idea because it would help departments budget,” Herron said.
As the department chair of political science, one of Bryan Marshall’s responsibilities is to allocate money for students and faculty to travel. This provides opportunities for faculty to do on site research and conference presentations, sometimes taking contributing students along for the experience.
He said that although money is often tight and seldom feels enough to support these causes, faculty are generally supportive of the carbon neutrality mission and would be sympathetic to paying a small fee.
“What faculty don’t get from the division often comes out of their own pocket,” Marshall said. “But I think that as long as we could keep the fee manageable, a lot of faculty would support something like that because they care about reducing their carbon footprint. I have heard faculty mention that time and time again, so I know that this is an issue on their mind.”
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Prytherch said because air travel changes will directly affect students and faculty and their Miami experience, getting community input is essential. He also said it’s important for individuals to take an active role in the community driven and demanded carbon neutrality goal.
“I think the president’s commitment to carbon neutrality was, in part, response to a community call for him to do that,” Prytherch said. “So, we’re going to hit a point in the future where we can’t just look at Miami as an institution to decarbonize for us. This has to be a team effort.”
Protocols have not been set in stone yet, as these areas of challenge within carbon neutrality are among the final steps the university will take nearing 2040. Until then, they plan to spend time ensuring that community voices are heard and that the offset programs they are investing in are reliable.
Third party programs conducted off-site can be risky because they can be difficult to verify. Herron said the university will start with investing into on site projects and allow time to bring improvements to carbon offset markets, looking to independent verifiers such as second nature’s verification program.
“We are cautiously optimistic that by waiting, there will be a more robust and reputable carbon market where Miami can feel confident buying offsets come 2040 for things like air travel, where we don’t really have any other way,” Herron said.
Prytherch said another component could be incentivizing choices such as presenting at a conference digitally, carpooling with other attendees or choosing to take a train. Marshall said he’s noticed an increase in opportunities for digital conference programs, providing opportunities to save money and cut down on emissions.
“I’ve done that before as a way of trying to save money, reduce my carbon footprint … so that’s something going on at an upper level that has a potentially positive impact,” Marshall said.
As 2040 approaches, a special carbon offset committee will form to narrow down the proposals of today.
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