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University of Idaho Enhances Commitment to Sustainability, Joins Chicago Climate Exchange
April 13, 2007
Moscow, Idaho – The University of Idaho has taken another step in environmental leadership by joining the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding multi-sector market for reducing and trading greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As part of this commitment, the university has committed to reduce its own emissions of greenhouse gases by six percent below the average of its 1998-2001 baseline by 2010. The university’s sustainability commitment began more than 20 years ago.
The University of Idaho is one of only six higher-education institutions that have joined CCX.
“Our membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange underscores the university’s commitment to and leadership role in building a sustainable Idaho," said University of Idaho President Timothy White. "We see The Chicago Climate Exchange as a tool that links economic growth to the good stewardship and protection of this state’s incredible natural resource base."
Other academic members include Tufts University, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, Michigan State University and University of Oklahoma.
“As one of the leading academic institutions in the west, the University of Idaho will play a critical role in forming the needed human capital for the emerging carbon market and its institutions," said Richard L. Sandor, chairman and chief executive officer of CCX. "We look forward to interacting with its students and world class faculty. We think their expertise in areas in natural resources, agriculture and business management will be very important to our membership.”
“Idaho’s economy and way of life depend on learning more about what causes climate change and on finding answers that drive economic growth,” said Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. “It’s great news that the University of Idaho is joining the Chicago Climate Exchange. It will position us to become a leader in the science of climate change and the search for market solutions.”
The University of Idaho is ranked highly among its peers for its wide range of academic programs, global research activities and wireless computer networking capability. In addition, the University of Idaho has committed to significant conservation and sustainability projects that have been functioning efficiently for some 20 years.
As energy conservation, environmental stewardship and sustainability begin to gain momentum on many university and college campuses due to rising energy costs, the University of Idaho continues to reap the benefits from its own energy conservation measures implemented two decades ago, and the institution remains on the forefront of implementing energy efficiency measures today. White established in the strategic action plan for the university the goals of stewarding the natural environment and developing the design, lifestyles and civic infrastructures of sustainable communities.
Among the university’s key achievements:
-In the 1970s the University of Idaho began irrigating its playing fields, golf course and expansive green spaces on campus with treated effluent. Now, more than 90 percent – or 225 acres – of campus irrigation uses reclaimed water, saving up to 120 million gallons of water per year.
-The University of Idaho began using biomass fuel in the 1980s when it installed a wood-fired boiler at its central plants. Supplying more than 90 percent of the campus heating needs at a cost currently a quarter of the cost of natural gas, the system saves $2 million per year in fuel costs.
-The University of Idaho recently partnered with an energy services company to study and develop additional measures that reduce energy usage on campus and increase sustainable operations. A technical audit of the entire University of Idaho campus is currently underway to determine measures for long-term reductions in energy usage and costs of operation for the university.
But sustainability efforts aren’t limited to landscaping and facilities. In 2005, Idaho President Tim White signed the international Talloires Declaration for sustainability in campus life, learning and operations. In March 2007, White signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, making the university a charter signatory and a member of the Leadership Circle on this initiative to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions. Idaho is the only institution of higher education in the state to sign either agreement. The university continues to diligently undertake bold initiatives in sustainability and conservation.
-Last spring, the University of Idaho established an academic program to focus on bioregional planning and community design, outreach to communities with sustainable community planning and development, and training for elected officials and professionals to plan and manage community resources for sustainable futures.
-A new water resources graduate program – “Water of the West: Towards a Sustainable, Interdisciplinary Water Resources Program” – is tentatively scheduled to begin in fall 2007. Program participants are developing sustainable uses of water. While other universities may offer interdisciplinary water resources programs, the University of Idaho program is the only one that incorporates a juris doctorate component.
-The university’s Department of Landscape Architecture has received a $10,000 grant from the University's Sustainability (UISC) grant committee to construct a Rain Water Harvest Demonstration Garden at the historic Art and Architecture building. The interdisciplinary project aims to showcase rainwater collection as a viable water conservation innovation and will demonstrate that water conservation efforts can be fruitful in non-xeriscape landscaping. Cisterns will be installed to collect rain and snow melt from the building's roof October through May. The stored rainwater will be the sole source of irrigation for the garden with solar-powered irrigation pumps used during the summer months.
-Students at the University of Idaho head up their own sustainability endeavors. With a student-supported sustainability fee, they opened a campus sustainability center this fall to build student leadership, management and problem-solving skills by funding student-led sustainability projects.
-The University of Idaho's National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) is a national leader in developing tools to reduce congestion on arterials, improve the quality and economic viability of biofuels and reduce the environmental impacts and improve the fuel economy of motorized vehicles. NIATT is in preliminary development of a new Sustainable Energy Laboratory, which will house campus programs in alternative energy and fuels, and provide maintenance and testing for the local transit system as it implements new and cleaner transit vehicles.
-The University of Idaho’s work in biofuels, which began in 1979, was one of the first such programs in the nation and its leading work in this area continues to be recognized around the world. Gibraltar-based Eco-Energy Ltd. signed a $2 million contract with the university to develop high-value oilseed crops worldwide for alternative fuel production.
-The University of Idaho's College of Business and Economics, through its Barker Capital Management and Trading Program, provides hands-on experiences for students trading in many different markets including the fast-growing carbon market.
-And recently, the University of Idaho and Canon, one of the largest corporate supporters of conservation and environmental education, have created a professorship designed to educate and develop future conservation scientists and leaders. Gary Machlis, forest resources professor in the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources, was named the Canon Professor of Conservation. He also directs the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program. The professorship is another achievement of the conservation efforts taking place at the University of Idaho.
As increasing environmental awareness drives interest in sustainable practices, the University of Idaho continues to seek sustainable initiatives to meet the current and future needs of society while contributing to the quality of life and the natural resources enjoyed by Idaho, the nation and the world.
Learn more about the University of Idaho’s sustainability efforts at www.dfm.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=89946.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract more than $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Its high academic performers include 42 National Merit Scholars and a 2006-07 freshman class with an average high school grade point average of 3.42. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
About CCX
CCX began greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading in 2003 and is the world’s first and North America’s only legally binding rules-based greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading system, as well as the world’s only global system for emissions trading based on all six greenhouse gases. CCX members are leaders in greenhouse gas management and represent all sectors of the global economy, as well as public sector innovators. CCX Members commit to reduce their greenhouse emissions a minimum of 4% below annual average of 1998-2001 by 2006 and 6% by 2010, depending on membership Phase. Reductions achieved through CCX are the only reductions in North America being achieved through a legally binding compliance regime, with price transparency and independent third party verification provided by NASD. The Chairman and CEO of CCX is economist and financial innovator Dr. Richard L. Sandor, who was named a Hero of the Planet by Time magazine for his work in founding CCX. For a full list of CCX members, daily prices and other program information, see www.chicagoclimateexchange.com. CCX is a wholly owned subsidiary of Climate Exchange Plc, a public stock company listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. Climate Exchange Plc also owns the European Climate Exchange, Europe’s leading CO2 emissions exchange.
Contact: Joni Kirk, University Communications, (208) 885-7725, joni@uidaho.edu
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