District 203 administration introduced a Carbon Action Plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving sustainability efforts at the March 10 Board of Education meeting. The plan outlines specific goals across energy use, transportation, and waste management, with a long-term target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The district’s short-term goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 35% by 2035, starting from the 2018 base year.
According to the plan, the district will implement energy efficiency upgrades, install solar panels, and transition to renewable energy sources. For transportation, the district plans to shift to electric vehicles and optimize bus routes to reduce fuel consumption. Waste reduction strategies include expanding recycling programs, reducing food waste, and implementing composting initiatives.
The CAP was developed with input from district staff and a 13-member student advisory group from Naperville Central and Naperville North.
“We met every other Wednesday at 7 a.m. to discuss major issues like transportation, food waste, and building infrastructure,” said student advisory group member and senior Michael Kim.
Students and staff worked separately before coming together to share ideas through interactive presentations.
Kim and other student representatives presented the CAP to the Board of Education using a slide deck and a 48-page proposal document.
“During the meetings, we reviewed the proposal and adjusted sections on timeframes, costs, and funding sources,” Kim said.
The plan includes tracking progress through an emissions dashboard developed in partnership with sustainability consulting firm Keramida.
One main goal of the plan is to raise awareness of staff and student actions that contribute to climate change.
“Our advisory team has talked a lot about education,” Assistant Superintendent Chuck Freundt said at the March 10 board meeting. “We need to educate not just our students and our staff, but our entire community on reduction measures and the actions associated with them.”
Mike Jarvis, an AP Environmental Science teacher at Naperville Central and CAP committee member, said the plan’s goals are ambitious but necessary. The district plans to phase in changes over the next decade, starting with improved recycling programs.
“The main goal is to improve our environmental impact by focusing on waste, energy use, and transportation,” Jarvis said. “I would expect that we’re probably going to see things changing at the elementary schools first.”
Implementing the CAP comes with logistical challenges, according to Jarvis.
“Over the next 25 years we anticipate lots of obstacles, but certainly I think that the grid moving to renewable energy is probably one of our largest.” Freundt said.
Currently, 80% of Naperville’s electricity comes from coal, with the city relying on the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency for its power supply. The contract expires in 2035.
Transitioning to electric buses requires sufficient charging infrastructure, which the district currently lacks. The potential installation of solar panels also depends on a building’s ability to support their weight.
“There are a lot of steps involved,” Jarvis said. “It’s a long-term commitment, but it’s important.”
The school board will vote on the plan at the March 24 Board of Education meeting.
