A partnership between the City of Greenville’s Environmental Advisory Commission and Duke University’s Nicholas School of Environment will determine how City operations could be modified to reduce GHG emissions.

The Client Masters Project consists of two Duke University students, Regan Rosenthal and Maggie Patchett, performing a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory of City of Greenville departments. The nine-month project will conclude in May of 2022.

“I am passionate about city planning and sustainability, and I am so excited to help Greenville begin the process of tracking and reducing its GHG emissions,” Rosenthal said.

GHG (CO2, methane, NO2) are produced by burning fossil fuels through activities such as driving cars and producing electricity resulting in entrapment of heat by the sun. The City of Greenville, in recent years, has taken steps to reduce its GHG emissions including, but not limited to the installation of LED lights, purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles, and improving insulation in buildings.

“I’m excited to help Greenville measure its successes and identify ways to move forward that benefit the entire community,” Patchett said. “I hope that by helping the city track and promote its progress, we can inspire similar communities and Greenville citizens to consider their own impact.”

A report from the emission inventory will be composed and submitted to City leaders before the Environmental Advisory Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council.