UNLV introduces plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

UNLV is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2057, officials announced today.  

UNLV is the first Nevada System of Higher Education institution to launch a climate action plan, UNLV President Keith Whitfield said in a recorded message. Called Rebel CAP, the plan will act as a roadmap for sustainability around campus. 

“Universities are fundamentally about building the future,” Provost Christopher Heavey said. “So thinking about climate and having a climate action plan makes perfect sense.”

UNLV, which currently emits 98,000 metric tons of carbon, intends to cut emissions by 50% by 2050. By 2057, they aim to have zero emissions, said Musa Pam, associate vice president of facilities management. 

Carbon emissions are divided into three scopes, Pam said. The first scope is direct emissions that come from natural gas, while the second scope is indirect emissions like purchasing electricity. 

The last is indirect emissions that include transportation and waste. 

Purchased electricity represents the largest source of emissions because the electricity people receive from NV Energy are from natural gas, Pam said. 

“When you don’t burn natural gas, you’re not contributing that carbon to the atmosphere,” Pam said. “When that electricity that’s powering (equipment) is coming from the sun, then we’re contributing zero (emissions) to the atmosphere.”

The plan’s top priorities include expanding renewable energy, building a sustainability office to serve as a hub to connect climate action operations with academics, and to secure funding for enhancements.

Funding will partially come from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Governor’s Office of Energy in Nevada, Pam said. 

The plan also calls for doubling the amount of vehicle electric charging stations from 24 to 48, and adding more solar panels throughout campus.

Dave James, from the UNLV civil engineering and construction department, said the university can also conserve lighting, heat ventilation and air conditioning systems.

The proposal relies on students, faculty and staff being made aware of opportunities to help reach the conservation goals — including through their research and with grant opportunities. 

“It’s not about changing minds, it’s about changing hearts,” James said.