SOU Climate Action
Climate Leadership at SOU
SOU is committed to climate leadership locally, regionally, nationally and for higher education. Like everyone, we are feeling the impact of a changing climate through higher temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and wildfires. SOU recognizes the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, both in how we operate our campus and how we prepare students for the future. Higher education plays a critical role in addressing climate change through its leadership, curriculum and operations for both the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the changing climate.
Climate change is happening. It is disrupting economies, affecting lives and costing people, communities and countries dearly. People are experiencing the significant impacts as a result of climate change, which include changing weather patterns, rising sea level and more extreme weather events. We need to transition. Sustainability is no longer an optional extra. It must be at the heart of everything we do.
We are in a global climate emergency and we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions while addressing the changes and dangers that the climate is already presenting at global, regional and local levels.
SOU’s Climate Action Plan is a high-level plan that establishes our goals and milestones to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. This action plan specifically focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our operations. SOU recognizes that the climate is changing and actions being taken to prepare for these changes are covered separately within our wider sustainability work at SOU. All actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will take into account resiliency of a changing climate.
What does net zero emissions mean for SOU?
At SOU, net zero emissions means taking action to reduce or remove all of SOU’s greenhouse gas emissions measured within scope 1, 2 and 3. We also understand our wider impact as a higher education institution and strive for benefits and action beyond our campus operations on a daily basis through our curriculum, engagement and leadership.
Greenhouse gas emissions – Scope 1,2 and 3
SOU reports on its scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions involve changes in technology and behavior change.
Scope 1 – direct emissions that arise from the combustion of fuels and energy generated by the organization’s owned or controlled sources e.g. on-site combustion of fuels or fugitive loss of refrigerants.
SOU’s emission sources within Scope 1 include: natural gas (heating), gasoline and diesel for university owned fleet vehicles, Liquified Petroleum Gas (propane) and fugitive emissions typically found in air conditioning, cooling and refrigeration systems.
Scope 2 – Indirect emissions that arise from the purchasing and consumption of energy generated outside of the organization’s owned or controlled sources e.g. purchased electricity, heat or steam.
SOU’s emission sources within Scope 2 include: purchased electricity.
Scope 3 – indirect emissions that arise from the institution’s value chain and other activities, typically outside of the organization’s immediate control.
SOU’s emission sources within Scope 3 include: commuting emissions, business travel (including air travel), waste generated in operations and, procurement of goods and services.
We have a strong commitment to sustainability in SOU’s Strategic Plan and we have worked to ensure that SOU’s Climate Action Plan is aligned with SOU’s sustainability aspirations. SOU is actively progressing sustainability in its curriculum, operations, governance and engagement. SOU achieved Gold STARS rating in May 2022 for campus-wide sustainability, as measured by an evaluation system developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). This plan is also aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to social and environmental justice by aligning our climate action work across this agenda.
SOU aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and our Climate Action Plan contributes to all 17 goals with a specific focus on:
- Goal 7 Affordable and Clean Energy – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
- Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
- Goal 13 Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Vision
Southern Oregon University will become an inclusive, sustainable university for the future that guides all learners to develop the knowledge, capacities, and audacity to innovate boldly and create lives of purpose.
Mission
Southern Oregon University is a regionally-engaged learning community committed to being the educational provider of choice for learners throughout their lives.
- We achieve student success, professional preparation, and civic engagement through service excellence, evolving technologies, and innovative curriculum.
- We foster access, equity, inclusion and diversity in thought and practice.
- We prepare our learners to be responsible, engaged citizens in our democracy.
- We promote economic vitality, sustainability, cultural enrichment, and social well-being in our region, the state, the nation, and the world.
SOU Values
- The well-being and success of all learners
- Critical thinking, discovery, and engaged learning
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Creativity and collaboration
- Excellence, continuous improvement, and accountability
- A healthy, safe, and civil campus
- Economic vitality and environmental sustainability
- Improving our community, region, and world
Climate Action
Glossary
Sustainable Development: Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The emission of atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. The major greenhouse gases (GHGs) are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20). Less prevalent, but very powerful greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
Climate Change Mitigation: A human intervention to reduce greenhouse gases being emitted or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases. Examples include using fossil fuels more efficiently for industrial process or electricity generation, switching to solar energy or wind power, improving the insulation of buildings and expanding forests and other sinks to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Climate Change Adaptation: Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected changes in the climate, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.
Net Zero Emissions: Achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out the atmosphere.
Decarbonization: Removal or reduction of carbon dioxide output into the atmosphere.
Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation: Energy efficiency means to use less energy to perform the same task. Basically to eliminate energy waste. Energy conservation is to not use energy. For example, turning lights off in an unused room is energy conservation while switching to more energy efficient lights such as LEDs is energy efficiency.
