Green Campus: Innovative approaches to energizing the “Next Generation” toward energy efficiency and green behaviors

Andy Coghlan, Alliance to Save Energy, USA
Lisa Skumatz, Skumatz Economic Research Associates, Inc., USA

Keywords

public buildings (universities), energy efficiency, NEBs, non-energy benefits, evaluation, program effectiveness

Abstract

The Green Campus program was designed to tackle the problem of how to best to deliver energy efficiency services in public universities. The campus setting is an environment in which: 1) students use energy but do not pay bills or see the savings from energy efficient behaviors 2) students may be more willing to listen to advocates their own age rather than “experts” or their elders 3) participants can be approached with “green” lessons, and provided education that will guide choices into the future – leading to long term energy savings and 4) few programs have been designed or delivered.

The program used an innovative approach – employing part time student interns on campuses – to deliver information, education, programs, and activities that brought the message of energy efficiency and other green practices to university campuses in the US. This program has been in place for three years and has spread to 12 campuses. This paper presents key elements of the program’s design, summarizes the activities that were most successful (including residence hall challenges, Energy 101 classes and other methods), identifies program difficulties, provides information on savings, and provides lessons for others considering introducing a program to influence young adults. The program’s benefits are expected to be immediate and hopefully carry on for a generation.