2021 Benefitting Society - Furman University - USA

2021 Benefitting Society - Furman University - USA

Carbon On-Setting: Community impact through home weatherization in Greenville, South Carolina

The Community Conservation Corps (CCC), a program of the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University, provides free home weatherizations to low-income homeowners in the greater Greenville, South Carolina community. The CCC reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions and promotes financial stability and health of homeowners through weatherization, energy conservation, and education.

Furman students help track program impacts and volunteer on weatherizations. CCC community partners include a utility company, Habitat for Humanity, and the City of Greenville. The CCC supports multiple sustainability outcomes. Students, local volunteers, and low-income homeowners all learn through home weatherization projects. Participating homeowners see a 20% reduction in their home’s utility usage (and expense) on average as well as improved indoor air quality. Furman University applies resulting carbon reductions as an offset in annual greenhouse gas reporting. The program has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 900 mTCO2e and recently weatherized its 150th home.

Top 3 learnings:

1. Partnerships make perfect: the support of Habitat for Humanity and others has been crucial.
2. Community trust: connecting with trusted community figures builds a positive reputation for the program.
3. Co-benefits are important: benefits for the community (financial savings) and the school (carbon offsets).

Videos

• Video #1 (click to hide)