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Abstract:Washington University, following the trend of many other academic institutions, performed a University-wide carbon emission footprint during the Spring of 2008 for 1990-2007. The carbon footprint was a collaborative effort between university facilities, an outside consultant and Prof. Husar, teaching EECE 449, Sustainable Air Quality. The collaboration was successful because of the excitement the students had about participating in work that was directly applicable to campus and the facilities department’s need for explanations about the cause of GHG emissions. The Sustainable Air Quality class narrowed the scope of the project to the Danforth Campus and focused on three main objectives: (1) develop a carbon footprint causality model; (2) estimate the carbon footprint and (3) compare our estimates to other universities carbon emission estimates. The Danforth campus saw over 50% increase in carbon emission from 1990 with 80% of that due to electricity usage. The class also found that the estimate for carbon emission on the Danforth campus was comparable to other universities that had performed similar footprint analysis. Future work will include using the carbon footprint causality model to explore various methods for carbon emission reduction. Method Overview: Washington University Danforth Campus Carbon Footprint: Using the Campus as a Living Laboratory E. M. Robinson (emr1@wustl.edu), R. B. Husar, M. Malten, Washington University, St. Louis • Objectives: • Develop and apply carbon emission estimation model • Estimate the carbon footprint of Danforth Campus • Establish the key causality drivers for the emissions • The focus of this poster is on campuscarbon emissions. Further work is still needed for transportation carbon estimates • Campus as a Living Laboratory: • The Sustainable Air Quality class, EECE 449/549 worked in collaboration with Facilities department and a consultant to establish a carbon footprint. • Using data collected by the consultant, the class with the consultants established the carbon emissions for the Danforth Campus. • The class contribution was to begin explaining carbon drivers, modeling future through scenarios and comparing our carbon estimate to peer institutions. • The class experience overall was positive. Students were engaged throughout the entire semester because the activities directly related to their lives. Results and Forecast: Discussion: Carbon emission has increased by 60% from 1990-2005 Increased building square footage and decreased energy efficiency has led to increased carbon emissions By manipulating the energy efficiency or carbon efficiency reductions could be made. • Possible Future Work: • WU Carbon Footprint (Actual, Observations) • Transportation Carbon • (Electric) Energy Usage • Real-time monitoringCarbon • (Causality) Systems Model • Multi-science approach • Tool for testing ideas on Campus Carbon • Collaborate within MAGEEP Network to improve carbon footprint Acknowledgements: Washington University Facilities Department, Ed Barry and Washington University Office of Sustainability, Matt Malten