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In Progress

Carbon Credit Purchasing Program (C2P2) with Second Nature

The 2015 iCAP, chapter 8, objective 1 was, "By the end of FY16, conduct a Request for Proposals process for verified carbon offsets — and undertake the first campus purchase of offsets." iSEE developed and published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for purchasing carbon credits, aka carbon offsets.

UIUC participated in Second Nature's C2P2 program, with a verified carbon credit project for credits issued from 2011 to 2021.

Reduce Cooling Tower and Chiller Plant Water Use

The 2015 iCAP, chapter 5, objective 2 is "Improve the water efficiency of cooling towers by limiting the amount discharged to sewer to less than 20% of water intake for chiller plant towers, and less than 33% for stand-alone building towers, by FY20." The results of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center’s True Cost of Water Study yielded five action items and two pilot studie

Red Oak Rain Garden

The Red Oak Rain Garden soaks up rainwater, enhances the campus and community aesthetic and educational experience, and promotes well-being for everyone who visits. 

Constructed in 2006 by Prof. Tony Endress and his NRES 420 class, a garden renovation is building on this original effort. The new planting palette installed Fall 2019 has earned recognition from several conservation organizations. 

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

A goal for the University of Illinois’ campus, as set forth by the 2010 Illinois Climate Action Plan, is to reduce directly related agricultural emissions by 50 percent by 2020. In order to complete this goal, the campus must shift to more sustainable agricultural and animal production practices. Areas that need improvement include reductions in food waste and the energy required for food processing, preparation, and transportation.

Green Roof on Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics Building (formerly called Foreign Language Building)

The FLB basement roof is a plaza at ground level.  It was built to accommodate greenery on the roof and did so from 2012 to 2014. The planters were filled with porous rock for ease of maintenance. The area still helps with rainwater runoff, however, plants could be added to the planters again to provide more benefits around the ground level of the building.

Geothermal at President's House - Study

The President's House is provided to the University of Illinois President and his or her family.  This home is used for some formal events each year, including an event for graduating students each May.  This building is maintained by F&S, and power is supplied through the campus grid.  It has been noted that this site is a good candidate for geothermal energy, so there is a feasibility evaluation underway.

Use Clean Power

The iCAP 2020 objective 2.3.1 is to "Use at least 140,000 MWh/year of clean power by FY25." This objective is about clean power, which is different from clean thermal energy. The responsible campus unit for championing this objective is F&S.

As of 2020, there are three types of clean power options being pursued or used on campus.

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