Redeemer’s University Climate Action Plan

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Introduction

Redeemer’s University, as a leading academic institution committed to sustainability, recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and its profound impacts on society, the environment, and future generations. This Climate Action Plan outlines the university’s strategic framework for measuring, planning, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while also promoting resilience against climate-related risks. Through research, education, community engagement, and partnerships with governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Redeemer’s University aims to become a climate-resilient campus and contribute significantly to global efforts to mitigate climate change.



Goals

The primary goals of Redeemer’s University Climate Action Plan are to:

  1. Reduce GHG Emissions: Achieve a 50% reduction in campus GHG emissions by 2030, with the long-term goal of becoming a net-zero emissions campus by 2050.
  2. Energy Transition: Transition to 100% renewable energy sources for campus operations by 2030, focusing on solar and other clean energy technologies.
  3. Sustainable Infrastructure: Ensure that all future campus buildings meet green building standards, with designs that promote energy efficiency, low carbon construction materials, and natural climate control mechanisms.
  4. Climate Resilience: Strengthen the campus’s ability to withstand and adapt to climate impacts, including extreme weather events and other environmental challenges.
  5. Research and Education: Advance climate research and promote climate education across all academic programs, while increasing collaboration with local, regional, and global partners.
  6. Community Engagement: Work closely with NGOs, local governments, and the surrounding community to promote climate action and ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations affected by climate change.


Key Components of the Climate Action Plan

  1. GHG Emissions Inventory and Reduction Strategies To achieve the goal of reducing GHG emissions, Redeemer’s University will:
    • Conduct a comprehensive GHG inventory to measure current emissions from energy consumption, transportation, waste, and other campus activities.
    • Set GHG reduction targets for key sectors, including energy, transportation, and waste management, ensuring accountability and progress tracking.
    • Transition to solar energy as the primary source of electricity for all campus buildings. The solar energy systems already in place, such as those powering the administrative buildings and the African Centre for the Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), will be expanded to cover all academic and residential buildings.
    • Retrofit existing buildings to meet energy efficiency standards, including the installation of energy-efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems, and the use of low-carbon building materials such as rammed earth for new constructions.
    • Implement a sustainable transportation plan to encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs), carpooling, cycling, and public transport for students, faculty, and staff. EV charging stations will be installed across the campus to support this transition.
  2. Sustainable Energy Transition Redeemer’s University is committed to using 100% renewable energy by 2030. To achieve this:
    • Solar energy infrastructure will be scaled up, expanding beyond the current installations to power all academic, residential, and administrative buildings.
    • The university will explore partnerships with renewable energy providers and NGOs to implement microgrids and battery storage systems, ensuring reliable and resilient energy supply, even during peak demand.
    • Research will focus on the development and deployment of renewable energy solutions such as wind, solar, and biogas, with pilot projects launched on campus as demonstration models for wider adoption.
  3. Green Building Standards and Sustainable Infrastructure All new construction and renovations at Redeemer’s University will meet the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainability. Specific actions include:
    • Implementing green building certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), to ensure that all new buildings contribute to energy savings and reduced carbon footprints.
    • Utilizing rammed earth walls and other natural materials in construction to reduce energy consumption and improve climate resilience. These materials have been successfully incorporated into the design of ACEGID, demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing heat absorption and promoting natural ventilation.
    • Planting eco-friendly trees and developing green spaces, such as the proposed botanical garden, to increase carbon sequestration and enhance biodiversity on campus.
  4. Research, Innovation, and Education As a center of academic excellence, Redeemer’s University will leverage its research capacity and partnerships with NGOs to drive climate innovation and education. Key actions include:
    • Expanding the scope of ACEWATER (African Centre of Excellence for Water and Environmental Research) to address pressing climate challenges, including water resource management, renewable energy, and disaster risk reduction.
    • Supporting faculty and student-led research projects focused on climate adaptation and mitigation, and fostering collaborations with local governments and international organizations to scale successful solutions.
    • Integrating climate education into the university’s curriculum, ensuring that all students graduate with a solid understanding of climate science, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
    • Offering specialized programs and workshops in climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and renewable energy technologies, in partnership with NGOs and industry experts.
  5. Community Engagement and Partnerships Redeemer’s University recognizes that effective climate action requires the participation of the broader community. To this end, the university will:
    • Collaborate with local and regional NGOs, such as those involved in reforestation, climate education, and renewable energy projects, to implement community-based climate adaptation initiatives.
    • Engage with local governments to support the development of early warning systems for climate-related disasters, such as flooding and drought, ensuring that the surrounding communities are prepared and protected.
    • Provide training and educational programs for local farmers, businesses, and residents on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable resource management, and renewable energy adoption, ensuring that the region as a whole becomes more climate resilient.
    • Host annual events, such as the Redeemer’s University Model United Nations (RIMUN), where students, policymakers, and climate experts discuss global challenges and solutions to climate change.


Implementation Timeline

2024-2025:

  1. Finalize GHG emissions inventory and establish baseline data.
  2. Install solar panels on key administrative and academic buildings.
  3. Expand tree planting initiative and develop water conservation systems.

2026-2027:

  1. Complete retrofitting of existing buildings for energy efficiency.
  2. Achieve 50% of energy from renewable sources across campus.
  3. Implement electric vehicle infrastructure and sustainable transportation initiatives.

2028-2030:

  1. Achieve a 50% reduction in GHG emissions.
  2. Complete transition to zero-waste campus.
  3. Reach 75% renewable energy usage and move towards net-zero emissions.


Governance and Accountability

The Redeemer’s University Climate Action Committee (RUCAC) will oversee the implementation of this Climate Action Plan, ensuring that all targets are met and that the university remains on track to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. RUCAC will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, NGOs, and government partners to review progress annually and adjust strategies as necessary.

Key accountability measures include:

  1. Annual Reports: RUCAC will publish annual progress reports outlining achievements and areas for improvement in emissions reductions, energy efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.
  2. Stakeholder Engagement: RUCAC will work with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies to ensure that the university’s climate goals align with broader regional and national sustainability efforts.
  3. Public Transparency: The university will maintain public access to its climate goals, progress reports, and research findings to promote transparency and community engagement in climate action.


Monitoring and Reporting Progress

To ensure the success of this Climate Action Plan, Redeemer’s University will:

  1. Establish a Climate Action Task Force composed of university administrators, faculty, students, and NGO partners, tasked with overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the plan.
  2. Publish an annual sustainability report detailing the progress made toward meeting GHG reduction targets, energy transition goals, and other climate action initiatives.
  3. Implement real-time energy monitoring systems to track energy consumption and GHG emissions, enabling the university to adjust strategies as needed to stay on track with its climate goals.


Conclusion

Redeemer’s University is dedicated to creating a climate-resilient campus that not only reduces its carbon footprint but also serves as a model for sustainable development. Through comprehensive GHG reduction strategies, renewable energy adoption, sustainable infrastructure, cutting-edge research, and strong partnerships with NGOs and local governments, the university is committed to playing a key role in the global fight against climate change.

The university will continue to inspire climate action across Nigeria and beyond, ensuring that future generations inherit a planet that is both sustainable and resilient.

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