Rutgers New Brunswick AASHE Silver Rating

Sustainability Tracking and Reporting at Rutgers Using AASHE STARS

mdrews2023, Climate 101

By Naina Waghray
Rutgers–New Brunswick recently earned a silver rating through AASHE STARS. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is an association that was formed to strengthen sustainability efforts on college campuses. The association is well known for its rating system, The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System, better known as STARS.

Solar Panels

24/7 Clean Electricity and Scope 2 Emissions 

mdrews2023, Climate 101

By: Naina Waghray
In this issue, we will take a deeper look at scope 2 emissions and clean electricity. Put simply, scope 2 emissions are the indirect emissions that are associated with the purchase of electricity or steam for lighting, heating, cooling, etc.

ifnh building

Scope 1: Reducing Direct Emissions on Campus

mdrews2023, Climate 101

By: Naina Waghray
This month, we will take a deeper look at scope 1 carbon emissions, especially those associated with buildings. Scope 1 emissions account for “direct greenhouse emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by an organization”.

Rutgers Buses, like the one pictured here, only account for about 1% of the University's carbon footprint.

Buses, Cars, and Planes- Accounting for Our Transportation Emissions

mdrews2023, Climate 101

By: Samantha Donner
Since transportation, and especially road travel, is a large contributor to transportation emissions, it is important to understand the what vehicles, systems, and behaviors contribute to transportation emissions broadly and at Rutgers. With this understanding, we can take meaningful action to address climate change.

Composter

Food Consumption and Waste: Holiday Edition

mdrews2022, Climate 101

By: Kelly Vaz Lima
A major issue throughout the holidays is waste. “Over 70 billion pounds of food waste reaches our landfills every year, contributing to methane emissions, wasting energy and resources across the food supply chain” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.