Background
Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, tractors: landscaping equipment on our campus is powered with fossil fuels that contribute to our campus’ greenhouse gas emissions. The University of Waterloo aims to reduce its operational emissions by 35% below 2015 levels by 2030 and it plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Although landscaping equipment contributes a small percentage to that total, a shift to zero emission equipment is both a relatively simple and highly visible way to reduce our campus emissions. Two initiatives in the Shift Neutral Climate Action Plan aim to address some of these emissions:
35. Reduction: Expand electric, hybrid, or hydrogen powered vehicles within Waterloo’s fleet through accelerated deployment
36. Action: Pilot data-logging tools to generate actionable information about utilization, behaviour gaps and user feedback, and suitability for electrification
This project also relates to sustainable development goals 13 for climate action.
The University of Waterloo is therefore looking for a business case for replacing end-of-life landscaping equipment with zero-emission alternatives. For the purposes of this project, any one of the following landscaping equipment categories could be investigated:
- Light-duty trucks used for grounds maintenance
- Carts, gators, and other offroad vehicles
- Riding mowers, tractors, and plows
- Push mowers and other push equipment
- Handheld equipment such as leaf blowers, weed trimmers, hedge trimmers, etc.
Scope of Work
- Consult with grounds services to get an inventory of fuel-based landscaping equipment, their replacement schedule and annual fuel usage.
- Identify zero emission alternatives to existing landscaping equipment and any additional storage/charging supports that would be required.
- Perform a comparative economic analysis of replacing end of life equipment with like for like or zero emission equipment. The economic analysis should include upfront costs, operational costs and any additional economic implications (eg. maintenance costs, future carbon taxes).
- Estimate the greenhouse gas emissions impacts of a switch to zero emission landscaping equipment.
- Identify any changes in landscaping practices needed to accommodate zero emissions equipment.
- Consult with grounds personnel about non-economic barriers to the adoption of zero emission landscaping equipment.
- Summarize the institutional value of zero emission landscaping equipment, including reputational factors.
- Make recommendations based on the work listed above.
Resources
The Sustainability Office can facilitate a conversation with Grounds Services and provide guidance for calculating the greenhouse gas emissions impacts.
Stakeholders
- Sustainability Office
- Plant Operations
Proposed Deliverables
The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:
- A work plan early in the term outlining key milestones and responsibilities.
- Updates on progress at least once during the term.
- A final report outlining the outcomes of the study, including the literature reviews, economic analysis and any recommendations stemming from those.
- A final meeting to review the outcomes of the report and answer questions.