The terms “carbon neutrality,” “net-zero carbon,” or “decarbonization” often sound foreign, out of reach, and frankly, like something I can’t afford. They remind me of going to a fancy French restaurant and reading a menu of unpronounceable bite-sized entrees with names I can’t pronounce. Pot-au-feu probably takes too long to make and is way more expensive than I’m ready to fork out.
Well, here’s the thing, we’re going to share how something seemingly complex—like carbon neutrality—can actually be pretty simple, achievable, and, yes, even affordable. In fact, we will introduce you to a small but trailblazing college from a small town in North Carolina that is making it happen! Welcome to our 3-Step Program to Decarbonization.
DEFINING KEY TERMS
Before we get started, let’s unpack some terms, so we’re all on the same page.
Carbon Emissions
Carbon emissions are the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, contributing to global warming and climate change. Reducing these emissions is crucial for protecting the environment.
Embodied Carbon
Embodied carbon represents the millions of tons of carbon emissions released during the lifecycle of building materials, including extraction, manufacturing, transport, construction, and disposal. Concrete, steel, and insulation are all examples of materials that contribute to embodied carbon emissions.
Carbon Neutrality Through Offsets
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in another location that is used to compensate for emissions that occur on campus.
Operational Carbon Neutrality
The quest to achieve carbon neutrality on-site without the use of offsite carbon offsets.
IRA: The Inflation Reduction Act
A tax incentive program signed into law in August 2022 that represents the United States’s largest investment in green technology. This program extends to both public and private entities.
WHAT IS DECARBONIZATION?
Let’s break this down like Bill Nye, the Science Guy—short and simple. Humans generate non-naturally occurring, excess greenhouse gases—carbon emissions—into the atmosphere, primarily by burning fossil fuels like coal and gas. These gases trap radiated heat from the Sun in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to a measurable increase in our planet’s temperature, often called “global warming.”
Global warming causes several things, but perhaps most notable is climate change, which we can see most clearly in the increase in extreme weather events like flooding, tornados, and heat waves. Decarbonization—reducing non-naturally occurring, excess greenhouse gas emissions—hopes to reduce global warming to minimize climate change.
These may sound like buzzwords, or maybe you’re even asking, “How could my personal actions possibly make a difference?” In reality, it will take more than you and I. It will take a village—or actually many villages—rallying around this idea, educating ourselves, and making changes with the hopes of doing good. That’s why it’s inspiring to see institutions like Catawba College, a small liberal arts college in Salisbury, North Carolina, taking massive strides toward decarbonization.
CATAWBA COLLEGE’S PATH TO DECARBONIZATION
Catawba College didn’t start out with carbon-neutrality in mind. In fact, for 140 years, a coal-burning power plant fueled the campus. In 1993, the Environmental Science program launched, marking the beginning of serious efforts for decarbonization. Then, in 1996, in a groundbreaking move, several existing residence halls transitioned to a more sustainable and efficient geothermal mechanical system.
By 1998, Catawba College decommissioned the coal-fired steam boiler. Through several small but significant steps, the university became net carbon neutral in 2023, making it the first college in the Southeast and 13th nationwide to do so!
Their journey isn’t over. Catawba College now aims for operational carbon neutrality as part of its ongoing quest to be a better environmental steward. Well-versed in sustainable systems and campus planning, the Little design team and engineers from CMTA are working together to create a plan for getting Catawba College to operational carbon neutrality. Learn more about Catawba College’s path to becoming a zero-carbon campus here.
THE FIRST STEP TO DECARBONIZATION: MAKE A PLAN
As with most things, the first step to success is creating a plan, and decarbonization is no different. Evaluate where you are (current emissions offset by purchased carbon credits) compared to where you want to be (negative emissions) and make a realistic and actionable plan to get there. Plans, like recipes, are made up of steps, and you don’t have to execute them all at once. Small, incremental steps still lead to significant outcomes.
For Catawba College—and anyone looking to achieve carbon neutrality—this plan consists of two main strategies: reduce energy and produce clean energy.
Remember, scale doesn’t matter here. These steps apply whether you have a college campus, skyscraper, or single-family home.
STEP 2: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Reducing energy consumption is a key strategy for addressing carbon footprints. Here are several effective approaches:
1. Reducing Loads on Existing Buildings
Improving energy efficiency in existing buildings can be achieved through several methods:
- Use energy-efficient appliances and equipment
- Install smart dimming controls for lighting
- Verify the thermal insulation of your exterior assemblies (walls, roof, crawlspace, windows, doors, etc.)
Remember how your parents used to hound you about leaving the lights on? This is a similar premise, and with modern technology, these energy-saving measures can be automated, leading to reduced energy demands from the get-go. Lower energy consumption also results in monthly cost savings on utility bills!
2. Installing Efficient HVAC Systems
We previously mentioned that Catawba College did this when they retrofitted several gas-based mechanical systems with geothermal systems, requiring much less energy. Geothermal is a great sustainable system that utilizes the earth’s natural temperature to cool and heat your buildings using less energy.
Depending on the scale or location of the project, geothermal may not be the right fit, but plenty of alternatives exist. The point is, the next time you need to replace a system—or you’re constructing a building from scratch—have a conversation with your designers. These efficient systems benefit the environment while offering financial savings through lower utility bills.
3. Electrifying Buildings
Wherever possible, replace gas-based systems with electric-based systems. As we mentioned, burning fossil fuels is one of the primary contributors to carbon emissions, so wherever we can replace that fuel with electric-fed systems, we are improving. For example, Catawba College is in the process of replacing gas-based water heaters with electric tank-less ones.
(An “In The Weeds” Note: electric grids across the country range in cleanliness. In fact, some produce electricity from the heat generated by burning fossil fuels, which, if you’ve been following along, is exactly what we’re trying to reduce. However, increasing the demand for electric power can drive the transition to cleaner energy sources like water, wind, or nuclear-based production. Hopefully, that’s not too far in the future.)
4. Reducing Transportation Emissions
This may seem a little off-topic, but when we think about carbon emissions, we must think beyond just buildings and consider transportation. Gas-based cars are a large contributor to carbon emissions, so wherever possible, we should consider opportunities for reducing vehicular travel and rely on bikes, walking, electric vehicles, carpooling, or mass transit. To use Catawba College as another example, the university encourages students to walk, bike, and scooter around campus.
STEP 3: PRODUCE CLEAN ENERGY
Now that you’ve reduced your overall energy load, the next step is producing clean energy.
We chatted briefly about the semi-cleanliness of electrical grids. What’s one sure way to have a clean grid? Supply it yourself! Solar Photovoltaic panels (PVs) transform solar energy directly into electricity. They can be installed on the roof or ground mounted, depending on the best location to maximize the exposure to the sun.
It’s exciting to see solar panels becoming more common, including at Catawba College, where they’ve installed enough on campus to produce nearly 1 Megawatt (MW) of power.
CARBON NEUTRALITY COST SAVINGS
So that’s the basics of the plan. But—how much is it going to cost?
If you’re like me—someone who gets alarmed by the incredibly vague “Market Price” tag listed beside the specials on the menu—you need more information before you commit. You also love a good discount.
In that spirit, I’m happy to share that pursuing carbon neutrality comes with some cost savings. Following are two discounts you should know about:
1. The Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act is a U.S. government program offering tax credits of up to 30% for qualifying investments in wind, solar, energy storage, and other renewable energy projects. This is a real program with real payback. Catawba College is pursuing these credits for a recent project with CMTA, where 40 geothermal wells were installed in the center of campus. These tax credits can add up to massive savings. Learn more with this fact sheet.
2. Monthly Utility Cost Savings
As mentioned, these approaches can also lead to monthly cost savings due to significantly lower utility bills. The benefit of working with firms like CMTA and Little is that we can help you evaluate the initial investment of some of these systems, compare it with your projected annual savings, and then calculate the time it will take to see a return on investment.
IN SUMMARY
As we’ve explored, the journey to carbon neutrality doesn’t have to be a daunting or expensive endeavor. Just like that fancy French dish, once you break it down, you realize it’s not as complicated as it first seemed. With the right ingredients, a little know-how, and inspiration from pioneers like Catawba College, decarbonization is within everyone’s reach. By following our 3-Step Program to Decarbonization, the path to a greener world is easier—and cheaper—than you think.
