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This baseline is an overview of Concord Free Public Library Corporation’s current state of climate action and sustainability and contextualizes this climate action planning process within the work already being done at the Library and in the Town of Concord.
Baseline Summary
Baseline Summary
This current state of sustainability at the library captures the committee's current understanding of the corporation's sustainability efforts and offers background information for the library stakeholders to more fully engage in sustainability and climate action planning.
The following materials have been reviewed:
Resources provided by Library Corporation and CFPL staff
Town of Concord resources
Materials from the American Library Association’s Sustainability Initiatives
Other information from nationally and internationally recognized organizations focusing on climate change
CURRENT STATE OF Sustainability at THE Library
CURRENT STATE OF Sustainability at THE Library
Information about the the main library and the Fowler branch was gathered on Climate & Energy, Mobility, Materials & Resources, and Outreach, Education & Coordination.
GHG Emissions
GHG Emissions
A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for the Main Library and the Fowler branch was created to estimate the amount and sources of carbon emissions are coming from the library
Some key takeaways from this assessment include:
Only scope 1 and 2 emission are currently tracked by the Corporation through the town's data (emission from electricity, heating, and cooling of the buildings and the emissions from the car that the library uses).
From July 1 2019 to June 30, 2020, the library emitted 194 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) from its buildings operation and fleet of the library. This is equivalent to 1.5% of the towns emission in 2016 (the town emitted 12000 tons of MTCO2e in 2016)
The library can become GHG neutral in its scope 1 and 2 emissions by eliminating natural gas for heating and utilizing renewable energy for electricity.
Visit the GHG Emissions tab for more information.
Buidling Energy Use
Buidling Energy Use
Electricity and gas usage from buildings are typically the greatest contributor to an institution's carbon footprint. To assess the current building energy use of the Main Library and the Fowler branch, an energy audit and assessment was completed.
Some key takeaways from CFPL's current state include:
CFPL’s energy use intensity is lower than peer averages, but there is still plenty of room for CFPL corporation to improve.
There is opportunity for CFPL to improve the energy use in their buildings via heating and cooling, building controls, lighting/lighting controls and building envelope projects.
The renovation and expansion project to the Main Street Branch will have a lower energy use intensity than the original Main Street Branch and Fowler Branch.
Visit the Building Energy Use for more information.
Transportation and Mobility
Transportation and Mobility
The Town of Concord has focused on transportation emissions when addressing community GHG emissions. From an electric municipal fleet used by library staff, biking and pedestrian infrastructure, and nearby electrical vehicle charging stations, access and development of sustainable transportation options may be a main consideration in the sustainability plan.
Visit Mobility for more information.
Materials & Resources
Materials & Resources
Materials and resources encompasses purchased goods and waste like trash and recycling
HIGHLIGHTS
Recyclable materials collected at the library include cardboard, paper, bottles, cans, and plastic.
Visit the Materials & Resources for more information.
Outreach, Education & Coordination
Outreach, Education & Coordination
As an educational hub for the community, the library provides access to sustainability focused reading materials and items for library goers to check out. The library consistently hosts a number of events for community members to learn about climate change and sustainability. Some of highlights of sustainability outreach and education opportunities at the library include:
Resources: Books and publications, personalized reading and watch recommendations from library staff, sustainability related items for loan, Concord Seed Lending Library
Events: Climate Preparedness Week
Visit the Outreach, Education & Coordination for more information.
Key-terms
Key-terms
The Town of Concord defines sustainability and resilience in the Sustainable Concord Plan as the following:
Sustainability
Sustainability
A sustainable Concord is a community that reduces our contribution to climate change by eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and preserves a high quality of life
Resilience
Resilience
A resilient Concord is one that is prepared to minimize the impacts of climate change
To learn more key term and definition visit key terms and definitions tab.
For more information about sustainability and climate action beyond the CFPLC visit the Resources tab.
Sustainability & Climate Action 101
Sustainability & Climate Action 101
GHG emissions
GHG emissions
A primary focus of the sustainability plan will be to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the library's operations and activities. GHG emissions can be separated into three categories:
The goals and strategies outlined in the sustainability plan will support the Town of Concord's goal for 80% reduction by 2050 from 2008 baseline data.
UNited nations Sustainable Development Goals
UNited nations Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations outlines 17 global goals to address the most pressing sustainability challenges faced in the world. The UN created these goals to be interconnected and applicable to all countries. Many countries, cities, organizations, and unversities have used the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for developing their own goals and targets towards intersectional climate action planning.
For more informtion, visit the UN SDGs website.
Some of the SDGs that are relevent to CFPL sustainability planning proces include:
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 4: Quality Education
The Library's mission as an educational hub for the community puts it in a unique spot to be a leader in climate change and sustainability education.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
Working closely with the Town of Concord, the CFPL Corpoartion is designing this sustainability plan to feed into larger community goals.
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 13: Climate Action
Sustainability and climate action planning are an important step for creating action plans for reducing GHG emissions.
Library Corporation Alignment
with Town Sustainability Planning
Library Corporation Alignment
with Town Sustainability Planning
Town of Concord Climate Action & Resilience Plan
Town of Concord Climate Action & Resilience Plan
The Town of Concord has set the goal of reducing community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050 in alignment with the Paris Climate Accord and the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act. The town has also set an interim goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. Additionally, the town has committed to a number of climate resiliency initiatives that lift up community safety and public health which will be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
The 2019 Sustainable Concord Plan (link) outlines a 5-year action plan for how the town will make progress towards its larger climate action goals. Priority actions were developed for five plan elements - or key areas to addressing climate change:
Built Environment
Energy
Mobility
Natural Resources
Preparedness
Concord Free Public Library's sustainability plan will align with the Town's GHG emission reduction goals and resiliency initiatives.
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