University Sustainability

Defining Sustainability since 1899
The goal of the Climate Action Planning process is to develop a pathway by which our campus can achieve carbon neutrality.
Legends parking lot is home to Appalachian’s 4-plug solar-powered EV charging station.

Climate Action Plan

Climate Action Plan

The Climate Action Planning Writing Group is pleased to present the AppCAP 1.0: A Vision for Climate Neutrality. Planned as a living document, the AppCAP 1.0 serves as a roadmap or blueprint to guide Appalachian State University towards climate neutrality.

AppCap 1.0 cover art image

AppCap 1.0 (Accesible version PDF, 12Mb)

AppCAP 1.0 Mitigation Strategy Assessment Tool

The AppCAP 1.0 Mitigation Strategy Assessment Tool is a tracking platform designed to provide up-to-date information for each of the 81 mitigation strategies introduced in the AppCAP 1.0. The tool also provides necessary transparency to the complex work behind climate action at Appalachian. With it, interested parties can see each strategy’s implementation schedule, current status, responsible party, climate and financial impact, and a sustainability assessment that focuses on the efficacy of the action with social justice, resiliency and the environment in mind.

Mitigation Strategy Assessment Tool ->

 

Timeline

CAP Timeline ->

Greenhouse Gas Table: SIMAP

The following is the greenhouse gas inventory for Appalachian State, beginning in 2005.

Table located in Supporting Documents ->

Working Groups

13 groups worked on the AppCAP 1.0, each focusing on the CAP through the lens of their topic. These groups were a combination of Sustainability Council sub-committees and Climate Action Plan-specific interest areas. In addition to members who are experts in each area, each group had at least one representative from SGA, REI, Office of Sustainability, RIEE, Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Climate Action Collaborative. Groups assessed the impact of each area as it relates to the carbon footprint of the University, imagined mitigation strategies, offered efficiency gains, and investigated sourcing of lower- carbon alternatives.

Climate Action Plan working groups

Climate Action Plan Writing Working Group

  • Focus — drafting the 2020 Climate Action Plan.

Campus Heating

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating carbon reduction strategies for campus-based heating.

Campus Electricity

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating carbon reduction strategies for campus-based electricity.

University Transportation

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating carbon reduction strategies for university-based transportation.

Academic Integration

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating curricular opportunities to support climate action.

Education and Outreach

  • Focus — developing a communication and marketing plan.

Climate Justice

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating social and ethical ramifications of proposed mitigation strategies.

Natural Environment

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating environmental ramifications of proposed mitigation strategies.

Climate Resiliency

  • Focus — long-term localized ability to adapt to change.

Embodied Carbon

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating unaccounted-for carbon impacts of purchased goods.

University Purchasing

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating environmentally preferable purchasing guidelines.

University Food Systems

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating carbon associated with Campus Dining services.

Zero Waste

  • Focus — identifying and evaluating campus waste diversion and reduction opportunities.

Useful Links

Second Nature

AASHE

Stars

For more information about the climate action planning process, please email sustainability@appstate.edu.