Issuu

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 GUIDING THE TRANSITION TO A NET-ZERO CARBON ECONOMY

CONTENTS 03

INTRODUCTION

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

D.C. SYMPOSIUM

NET-ZERO CARBON TRANSITION CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES ADVISORY COUNCIL

COMMUNICATIONS TEAM Design by Kristin Hauptman

TEAM MEMBERS

OUR NEW HOME

EV TRANSITION

CLIMATE SMART COMMODITIES ON-CAMPUS IMPACT

FACULTY PARTNERS

ABOUT THE LAB

The Dynamic Sustainability Lab examines the risks, unintended consequences and opportunities resulting from the rapid transition to a Net Zero Carbon Economy including the technologies, policies and organizational strategies used in the transition. Our focus is in providing interdisciplinary scientific approaches that support organizations in realizing sustainability transition opportunities by identifying the dynamic risks and developing strategies and tools to achieve success.

OUR RESEARCHERS ARE GLOBAL:

LETTER FROM DR. GOLDEN DIRECTOR, DYNAMIC SUSTAINABILITY LAB

For all of us who focus on climate, energy and sustainability, this past year has been exciting and busy. We continue to see companies and governments around the world committing to a netzero carbon economy and seeking assistance in developing a new generation of technologies and organizational strategies/policies. In the United States we are witnessing an unprecedented amount of funding to support the necessary energy, technology, biobased and construction transitions to support a net-zero carbon economy in large part because of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Dynamic Sustainability Lab continues to garner attention for our unique role and leadership in supporting global businesses and governments on quantifying the opportunities and importantly the risks and unintended consequences resulting from the rapid transition to a net-zero carbon economy.

DR. JAY GOLDEN, PHD Pontarelli Professor of Environmental Sustainability and Finance Faculty Director, Master of Science in Sustainable Organizations and Policy Department of Public Administration and International Affairs Department of Environment, Sustainability and Policy Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences - Faculty Affiliate College of Arts and Sciences Part Time Professor of Entrepreneurship Whitman School of Management Syracuse University

The Dynamic Sustainability Lab is unique in a number of ways which makes us stand out among our peers. First, we concentrate at the nexus of business and government which is important as each is very co-dependent on each other. Secondly and most importantly is our student-centric focus. Unlike most conventional labs and research centers, the Dynamic Sustainability Lab focuses on promoting and mentoring our students to assume leadership roles both during their time in the lab and after graduation. Part of our success can be contributed to our ethos to promote a convergence of ideas We deliberately hire students who come to us from across the country and around the world. These young men and women of varied socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds are enrolled in varied academic disciplines spanning law, the arts and humanities, the social sciences, engineering, business and both the physical and life science. All of this better prepares them to address the complex challenges we face as industry, government and as a society. Our research and outreach programs are paying great dividends. More and more companies and agencies are contacting our lab to partner. Our students are not just acquiring the skills to succeed in the classroom but they are finding success in obtaining meaningful jobs. In fact, almost all of our Dynamic Sustainability Lab researchers over the last three years have landed exciting jobs or gone on to graduate school. Many of our students are actually recruited and hired even before they graduate. And the word has gotten out about their experiences and post-graduation opportunities. The number of student fellows has been capped at 50 while it seems like every day, I receive notes from students wanting to join our team. All of our students are paid and as you will see, are provided the unique opportunities to present their research and network at major symposiums we host around the country. Much of this has been made possible by the generosity of donors like yourself. I encourage you to consider making a donation so we can continue to provide these opportunities to our students and importantly to make such positive impacts towards the pressing issues of our time including climate change, global sustainability and national security. You will find at the back of this report information on how to make a donation. On behalf of all of our students, staff and faculty, thank you for your interests and support of the Dynamic Sustainability Lab.

Jay Golden Dr. Jay Golden Pontarelli Professor of Environmental Sustainability and Finance Director, Dynamic Sustainability Lab

OUR APPROACH DSL IS INTERDISCIPLINARY On-Campus Partners:

DSL IS COLLABORATIVE

OUR FOCUS

Off-Campus Partners:

ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY TRANSITIONS

INSTITUTIONAL TRANSITIONS

BIOBASED & NATURE TRANSITIONS

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION TRANSITIONS

MEET THE TEAM FALL 2023

CALISTA ALBRING MPA

SARAH CSOBAJI Political Science & ESP

LEO GERSHMAN ESP and Economics

FIONA HURLESS Public Relations

SIDDHARTH ASATI MS, Information Systems

HANNAH BABCOCK Sustainable Energy Management, ESF

LAHARI CHOWTOORI Applied Data Science

SOPHIE CREAGERROBERTS History & ESP

CAROLINE DITZLER Landscape Architecture

NADIA DUPLESSIS

DYLAN ELDRED

ESP & Political Science

Economics

MICHAEL GARZONE-WHITE

MICAH GREENBERG Television, Radio and Film & Business

OLIVIA HAPPEL ESP

KRISTIN HAUPTMAN MS, Multimedia Photography and Design

Mechanical Engineering & Energy Systems

KA’AI I Policy Studies & International Relations

OLIVIA JACKSON

ZHIHAO JIN

KRISHNA KASHIV

Public Relations

MS, Public Relations

ECS

MPA

RYAN HODGES

IZZY KAUFMAN

OMER KELES

HARIS A. Y. KHAN

SYDNEY KING MPA

ESP

MPA

HUNTER KNARR Mechanical Engineering

ZOE KOFSKY Public Relations

JESSIE KOOZER

KAITLYN KUSHNER

Public Relations

Television, Radio and Film

ANNA LUDINTSEVA MS, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

VRUSHALI LAD

KAITLIN LAROSA

AVA LUBKEMANN

MS Information Systems

Policy Studies & ESP

Environmental and Env. Health Engineering

COLBY O’HANLEY

QUINN PIERSON

TAYLOR PUCCELLA

Political Science

Geography & Religion

ESP & Political Science

JOHN ROBINSON MS International Relations

JACOB SNELLING

JESS VAN

FRAMKE VITALE

SHANNON YEHL

Biology & ESP

Photography

Marketing Management

Public Relations

2023 HIGHLIGHTS AFCC CONFERENCE During November 12th-14th around 500 industry and government leaders working on solutions to climate change gathered in Washington DC. Kicking off the conference was the Dynamic Sustainability Lab. Dr. Golden presented and moderated the headline two-hour session on Climate SMART Commodities and Bioeconomy. The panel included the Governor of the State of Nebraska the honorable Jim Pillen as well as Dr. Karama, Administrator for the USDA as well as leaders from KPMG and Innsure addressing climate data, financing and insuring climate solutions. Additionally, Dr. Pascual from the lab unveiled the National Climate SMART database and website being developed by the lab under her leadership. Finally, a number of DSL student researchers were able to attend and not only supported the lab by manning our booth at the conference but were able to take advantage of many professional networking opportunities.

INNOVATION IN ACTION In addition to our research and outreach, the Dynamic Sustainability Lab is at the forefront of supporting innovators and innovative companies working to bring a new generation of low carbon technologies and products to market. Cheeky Panda: Revolutionizing the Pulp and Paper Industry Over 27,000 trees are cut down every single day for traditional tree paper production, with huge areas of our planet subject to deforestation. London based Cheeky Panda is working to revolutionize the industry by manufacturing Household, Baby & Beauty products. With a strong presence in the UK and Europe, this young company turned to the Dynamic Sustainability Lab to support the development of a U.S. business. We are working with company leadership in quantifying the most environmentally and economically feasible supply chain from bamboo growth through processing and manufacturing. We have also conducted consumer preference studies and trials on their products including bamboo straws as a replacement to plastics. For more information: https://us.cheekypanda.com/

2023 HIGHLIGHTS OTHER TALKS EXAMPLES OF OTHER TALKS BY DR. GOLDEN DURING THE YEAR • Washington DC September 2023 National Security Studies • Research Triangle, NC September 2023 Invited talk to Duke University on Transition to Net-Zero Carbon Economy • New York September 2023 Keynote to the American Council of Engineering Companies • Boston, Mass October 2023 Keynote to Syracuse University Alumni and Friends of the University • Global Broadcast, October 2023 Keynote Talk on Sustainability and Global Supply Chains by Logistics Journal. • National Podcast Interview October 2023 by Change the Chamber

NEW BOOK RELEASED As we come to the end of 2023, an exciting new book by Dr. Golden has been published by Cambridge University Press. Dynamic Sustainability: Implications for Policy, Markets and National Security provides an important and easy to understand overview of the drivers and responses to global sustainability challenges for governments and industry.

EcoFluxnet-Sensors: A Critical Technology to Support the Net-Zero Carbon Transition

Around the world there is a critical need for accurate and affordable measurement of various greenhouse gasses resulting from activities on farms, industrial facilities etc. EcoFluxnet (formerly Intelligent Materials) based in Princeton, N.J. was awarded a prestigious US Department of Energy ARPA-E grant to build out their novel sensors and the Dynamic Sustainability Lab was contracted to support this effort as we worked with company leadership in the development of an expanded business development plan with a focus on the opportunities of their technology with the net-zero carbon economy.

This book provides new insights into the opportunities, risks, and unintended consequences for the American economy, legacy industries, global multinational corporations, and financial institutions having pledged to transition to a net-zero carbon economy. It examines the implications of organizations purchasing voluntary carbon credits which are not regulated, insured, and often not scientifically validated. It scrutinizes how financial markets are driving corporate sustainability while at the same time conservative policymakers seek to ban Environmental Social Governance investments. In his book, Dr. Golden discusses national security as well as the growing rural-urban divide, seemingly widened by major automotive manufacturers looking to move towards zero-emission electric vehicles. Using empirical evidence to chart the effect of our sustainability transition on the government, the military, and corporations.

HIGHLIGHTS

OUR NEW HOME In April of 2023 we held a ribbon cutting event as the Dynamic Sustainability Lab moved into our new permanent home in Steele Hall on the Syracuse University campus. Formerly known as the Esther Baker Steele Hall of Physics which opened in 1898, the lab now occupies the second floor. The site was designed with the student researchers in mind. All of the furniture is moveable so that project teams can separately use one of the 4 large monitors stationed around the lab to work. The lab also features multiple computer stations and multiple Bloomberg Terminals as well as storing research supplies and equipment. We hold all of our lab meetings here, host guest talks and Dr. Golden teaches sustainability courses in the space. This was all possible through the generosity and support of Ken and Tracey Pontarelli as well as Dean David Van Slyke and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

“IT’S NICE TO HAVE A SPACE WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO TO JUST FOCUS ON WHAT YOU NEED TO GET DONE. AND THEN ALSO FEEL SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO WORKING ON THEIR PROJECTS.” FRAMKE VITALE, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

HIGHLIGHTS

INAUGURAL PONTARELLI PROFESSOR SPEAKER SERIES Through the generosity of donors, we launched the inaugural Pontarelli Professor Sustainability Speaker Series. This is intended to be an annual event that brings in an internationally respected sustainability thought leader, business leader or activist to engage students from across the university. In April of 2023 we kicked-off this event by bringing in Tom Steyer who was a former Presidential candidate, billionaire businessman, well-known climate philanthropist and sought after speaker. The talk centered around his experience as an environmental activist, his work with NextGen and the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, and his perspectives on current issues in social justice and climate change. Additionally, he offered advice regarding career pathways for students just getting started in the field, highlighted the importance of taking action, and suggested ways to get involved in climate activism.

Overall, Tom Steyer’s talk at Syracuse University was an insightful and thoughtprovoking discussion on climate change, political reform, and social justice, inspiring students and faculty alike to take action and make a positive impact on the world. As the next generation of thinkers and doers, students are uniquely situated to make significant changes in the industry and job market. Exposure to a key stakeholder like Steyer allows students to gain insights into the industry and potential future career possibilities while learning about activism and the importance of sustainability. The event was oversubscribed with faculty and students not only filling all available seats in the auditorium but standing and sitting in the aisles-a testament to the incredible interest in Climate, Energy and Sustainability across the university and community.

FIRST ANNUAL D.C. SYMPOSIUM The Dynamic Sustainability Lab is excited to report the success of our inaugural Washington, DC symposium, where student researchers and sustainability professionals joined forces for a two-day event. The meeting space was donated by our partners at Cornerstone Government affairs. The symposium provided opportunities to address pressing sustainability challenges. The program featured panel discussions and a student research showcase from the Dynamic Sustainability Lab, aligning our research with industry trends in sustainability. The first day, “Navigating the Sustainable Organization,” revolved around Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments and career development. It featured insights from DSL researchers like Jacob Snelling, Katrice Ramirez, and John Robinson on ESG Transparency from the Gen-Z perspective. DSL Fellow Kayla Johnson unveiled her groundbreaking project, The Global Sustainability Index, aimed at filling critical data gaps for businesses during their sustainable transitions. Day Two delved into Offshore Wind and Energy, with discussions led by Chris Cryan and Sam Walcott on policy and emerging technologies impact on the US offshore wind sector. Both days provided valuable connections for students with industry partners and potential employers. This symposium marks DSL’s innovative approach to bridging student research with industry and government leaders, and we thank our partners and participants for their support.

“ATTENDING THE DC SYMPOSIUM LAST SPRING WAS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO HEAR FROM AND NETWORK WITH EXPERTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF SUSTAINABILITY FIELDS BUT ALSO A GREAT WAY TO SPEAK ABOUT AND GET FEEDBACK ON OUR OWN ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS. I LOVED LEARNING MORE ABOUT TOPICS I WAS NOT ACTIVELY RESEARCHING BUT STILL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT SUCH AS THE INTERSECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE.” SOPHIE CREAGER-ROBERTS, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

FEATURE This year, the team has made significant progress on a comprehensive guidebook concerning the transition to Electric Vehicles (EV). Early on in this process, building the table of contents and choosing what would go into this guidebook proved to be challenging. But keeping in mind the scope and audience, we put together a valuable array of research that will hopefully aid local governments and industry leaders in the transition to EVs. “I am really proud of the work we have done thus far, and am particularly enthused that the work that we do can potentially be used to fuel tangible climate action,” undergraduate researcher Michael Garzone-White said. The EV transition is crucially important to reaching global net zero goals in the next couple decades. In 2021, the transportation sector accounted for 29% of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by economic sector and electricity end-use. The transition to EVs is going to require substantial investments, and a deliberate and thorough plan. This includes the electrification of public, private, and commercial fleets, building a robust charging network, and precise collaboration between governments and private entities.

“I AM REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE THUS FAR, AND AM PARTICULARLY ENTHUSED THAT THE WORK THAT WE DO CAN POTENTIALLY BE USED TO FUEL TANGIBLE CLIMATE ACTION” MICHAEL GARZONE-WHITE, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

People do not want to purchase EVs unless there is a reliable charging network, and companies do not want to invest in communities unless there is a demand, and more EVs. It is a cycle that is difficult to avoid and presents a roadblock to progress in the transition. Instilling confidence in the consumer that EVs indeed are a viable opton for day-to-day travel needs is a crucial step in this process.

The team’s partnership with NECEC has been invaluable to our research, and the development of the guidebook. They have been extremely involved in our process and are actively influencing the guidebook’s direction and enriching its content by contributing a wealth of existing data and industry knowledge. They have connected us to countless government and industry contacts to help broaden the perspective of the guidebook. Speaking with local government officials and industry leaders, paired with case studies pertaining to specific challenges of the transition, is an essential aspect of our project. Government policies play a pivotal role in the transition to electric vehicles, as funding, infrastructure, permitting, zoning, etc. are all tied to federal, state, and local legislation. Bills such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law outline specific actions that aid the transition to EVs, and broad climate action. The IRA has been creating green sector jobs, funding clean energy manufacturing, and delivering funds to communities for protection from the impacts of climate change. Governments play a unique role in the transition to EVs, as they pave the way to global sustainability.

EV TRANSITION With incentives of up to $10,000 and with the global automotive sector transitioning from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, we will be witnessing the incredible growth of this disruptive technology. With this transition comes a new set of issues which overwhelming local, regional and state governments. This includes the need to provide not just the charging infrastructure but the necessary electricity upgrades including transmission and distribution systems. State and regional governments will also be faced with larger infrastructure expenses as EVs weigh more than conventional cars and trucks. However, these governments will face diminished revenues with the demise of fuels taxes as well as related sales and property taxes. And there are increased cybersecurity threats as we electrify. This past year we have supported the State of Rhode Island in modeling these issues which resulted in the team testifying before the Rhode Island General Assembly. A current team working with our partners at Boston based Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) is creating a national EV Transition Guidebook for local and regional governments which will culminate in a special symposium we jointly host in Boston in the spring of 2024. DSL Electric Vehicle Transition researchers Colby O’Hanley and Nadia Duplessis in New York City at a regional EV conference with Alistair Pim and Joe Curatone at the NECEC/AEG Northeast Clean Transportation Summit in Brooklyn, NY November 2023.

"THE RESEARCH BEING DONE BY DSL IS PROVIDING CRITICAL INSIGHT INTO PROBLEMS THAT HAVE TO BE SOLVED TO ENABLE A JUST, EQUITABLE AND RAPID TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY AND CLEAN TRANSPORTATION. THESE STUDENT RESEARCHERS ARE PROVIDING HARD DATA AND REAL WORLD INTELLIGENCE FOR COMPANIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LOOKING TO DECARBONIZE ENERGY, BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORTATION.” ALISTAIR PRIM VICE PRESIDENT, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS NECEC

Pictured is the research team before they testify on their findings at the State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Shown seated left to right. Shahzeb Naeem, Adil Mayo, Ibrahim Tahir and Katharine Ryan. Senator Louis DiPalma (standing)

FOREFRONT OF NET-ZERO CARBON TRANSITION OFFSHORE WIND Globally, offshore wind development is playing a key and ever-increasing role in helping governments, industries, and communities achieve their net-zero emissions goals. The Biden Administration alone has committed the United States to developing 30 gigawatt hours of new offshore wind energy by 2030, and many states and industry actors are establishing their own offshore initiatives. While such goals are ambitious, they will require significant strategic planning and coordination among suppliers and governments. Researchers Samantha Walcott and Chris Cryan have engaged in research examining the supply chain and policy required in the face of these developing needs. Their research highlights the vast potential that offshore wind technologies currently provide, along with insight into the next steps forward in its rapid adoption. Their final policy brief can be found on our website under the research tab at dynamicslab.org

Pictured above: Student Researcher Samantha Walcott presents her research on offshore wind during a panel at the DSL’s D.C. Symposium. Seated next to her is David Marks, Head of Public Affairs for Equinor Renewables.

VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKETS Within the next decade, Voluntary Carbon Markets are projected to see enormous growth and are forecasted to reach fifty trillion dollars by 2030 [McKinsey]. Insurance products are an instrumental element in being able to effectively scale this important market in the net-zero transition with certainty, traceability, and necessary investor buy-in. Over the last year, Sophie Creager-Roberts has researched the emerging role of insurance in voluntary carbon markets as well as their necessity in a just transition to climate change more broadly. With guidance and insight from InnSure, a Bostonbased insurance nonprofit, she has investigated the current gaps– such as the lack of monitoring, reporting, and verification methodologies and protocols– and future opportunities– for example, addressing durability and political risks inherent in many carbon offsetting project— for the global insurance market to derisk and accelerate the growth of reliable carbon removal projects.

CARBON CAPTURE & SEQUESTRATION In reaction to climate concerns, corporations and governments across the globe have committed to net-zero emissions goals by the year 2050. Carbon Capture Sequestration (CCS) technologies will be essential for reaching these goals via carbon removal, storage, and utilization. To incentivize the development and commercial deployment of CCS technologies in both the private and public sectors, the United States has passed the Inflation Reduction Act as well as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These policies will also help grow a new high-paying job market for people working with CCS while preserving the jobs of those working in the fossil fuel industry. The Carbon Capture and Sequestration team at the Dynamic Sustainability Lab is excited to research this growing industry to gain a strong knowledge set of the technology, its surrounding policy, and the financial environment. The goal of the team’s research will be to inform both businesses and government officials regarding the rapid deployment and adoption of CCS in the United States including the drivers, opportunities, risks, and unintended consequences of the technology.

TRACKING CORPORATIONS While the corporate landscape evolves to address increasingly pressing social and environmental issues, corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports have become the standard medium for companies to report the progress they’re making to the public. Publishing an annual CSR report is now considered the norm for most major companies, but they are still far from standardized, with each company taking a distinct approach and providing different, typically limited information in their report.

NATIONAL CARBON INTENSITY LABEL A critical need expressed by industry, governments and non-governmental organizations is the need for a single and technically sound National Carbon Intensity Label. This will allow both institutional buyers in companies and governments to effectively compare feedstocks and products which is critical as organizations are quantifying and reporting on their own organizations greenhouse gas emissions which includes the supply chain. Currently there are hundreds of different types of carbon labels with most lacking a technically sound, transparent and verified methodology. This is why there is a demand for the U.S. Government to develop and manage a national label. The Dynamic Sustainability Lab is leading this effort in partnership with major industry organizations such as the AFCC as well as government agencies and NGOs as part of our grant. The work is in the early stages, but it is very promising and moving forward.

During the 2022-2023 year at the Dynamic Sustainability Lab, John Robinson, Katrice Ramirez-Henry, and Jacob Snelling worked to understand the common faults in these reports with a specific focus on apparel and grocer corporations based in the United States. In addition to comparing and grading these companies, the team developed a set of standards that could be followed by corporations to ensure full transparency. In the spring of 2023, the team presented their research at the lab’s first Sustainable Research Symposium, in addition to speaking on a panel to an audience of sustainability professionals.

BIOBASED & NATURE TRANSITIONS

LEADING CLIMATESMART COMMODITIES The Dynamic Sustainability Lab is at the forefront of one of the largest programs to leverage American agriculture to create a new generation of low carbon, carbon neutral and carbon negative feedstocks and final products. As part of a major five-year $60 million grant from the USDA, the DSL is the leading research organization in the United States to develop the systems to take Climate SMART agriculture feedstocks and bring them to market. The areas of focus includes: 1). measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of carbon through the value chain, 2). financing and insurance, 3). public policies, 4). supply chain innovations, 4). connecting producers with buyers, 5). developing marketing and communication strategies, 6). Quantifying the economic and job benefits and 7). Exploring carbon capture and sequestration technologies and policies.

MARKET PULL AND PARTNERSHIPS A team led by Newhouse School faculty Dr. Erika Schneider, Dr. Jason Davis and Dr. Regina Luttrell with students from the school are leading national efforts to develop effective marketing and communication strategies critical for the market pull of Climate SMART commodities and products. This includes documenting current knowledge and understanding from the perspectives of producers, consumers and institutional buyers such as manufacturers, brands, retailers and government buyers. The team will develop innovative strategies and resources to generate increased knowledge and demand for U.S. Climate SMART industries domestically and globally.

Pictured above: Newhouse Student Researchers Jessie Koozer and Zoe Kofsky discuss research plans and progress during a team meeting on Dec. 1, 2023.

FACULTY AFFILIATE HIGHLIGHT: DR. ROBERT HANFIELD

OVERCOMING BARRIERS AND SUPPLY CHAINS

Key to the successful transition to a net-zero carbon economy is a highly efficient, reliant and resilient global supply chain. Around the globe there is fierce competition exemplified by that of the United States versus China in acquiring the necessary feedstocks and components to be able to produce the green technologies that are transforming everything from energy systems, transportation, the built environment, electronics and agricultural systems. Dr. Robert Handfield is an internationally recognized supply chain expert who is a Faculty Affiliate of the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and has been working with the lab at the nexus of sustainability and supply chains. Dr. Handfield is the Bank of America Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management at North Carolina State University and executive director of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative. Recently he hosted and joined Dr. Golden on an internationally web-based broadcasted discussion on the changing dynamics of sustainable supply chains which garnered much attention. Handfield and Golden have partnered together for multiple years on USDA reports on the Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry Dr. Handfield has been partnering with the lab and is a co-PI on a number of grants including the recent Climate SMART Commodities grant for which he will be leading researchers from across the country on identifying and overcoming supply chain barriers to brining climate SMART commodities and products to the market as well as trade barriers. “For me what is unique about the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and Dr. Golden’s vision is his focus on the development of both undergraduate and graduate students to become the next generation of leaders serving both industry and government” stated Dr. Handfield. “The lab is a nationally recognized leader in the emerging transition to a netzero carbon economy and I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with the researchers in the lab as well as the other thought leaders from across the globe who seek to make a difference in sustainable economies.” To learn more about Dr. Handfield, visit his site at: https:// scm.ncsu.edu/about/staff/robert-handfield.

LOW CARBON DAIRY WORK FOR PIZZA HUT Methane, a greenhouse gas, is produced by a variety of sources each day including anthropogenic sources as well as natural sources. A leading natural source of methane production is cattle. DSL researcher and SU graduate student Calista Albring collaborated with a team, and the global sustainability manager at Pizza Hut to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the dairy production process. To mitigate the amount of methane in the atmosphere, a high-level analysis of five feed additives known to reduce methane emissions from dairy cattle was executed. The feed additives reviewed include: Agolin, Bovaer, Nitrates, Red Seaweed, and XTRACT. The selection of the most appropriate additive is dependent on the animal and the desired outcome to be achieved. Some additives are meant solely to increase the nutritional value of the feed, to increase palatability of the feed, increase digestibility of the feed or to obtain a specific performance indicator from the animal itself. The final report outlines each feed additive and its economic, emissions reduction potential, food safety and quality, productivity impact, regulatory information, and sensory attributes, as well as a recommendation.

THE NATIONAL DATABASE AND WEBPORTAL Led by Dr. Janire Pascual, the Dynamic Sustainability Lab is developing the National Registry and Web Portal for Climate SMART Commodities. This site allows producers, buyers and service providers to register their organizations as well as to connect with one another to facilitate the growth of this emerging industrial sector. The site also provides the resources and incentives available to producers and buyers as well as important facts and figures. Starting first quarter 2024, explore the ever-expanding site at: www.DslClimateSmart.org

VERTICAL AGRICULTURE

Did you know that vertically grown produce is being sold in major supermarkets such as Walmart, Whole Foods, and Kroger? Addressing the impact of climate change and climate related events must also extend to food supply and the overall impact that the agricultural sector has on the environment. The introduction of sustainable agricultural production systems, such as large scale indoor vertical agriculture can assist in the net-zero transition while increasing food production and security. Large scale indoor vertical agriculture has the potential to decrease water consumption by 95%, while only using 1% of the land required for traditional agriculture and increasing yields over 100x. Framke Vitale, a Senior at the lab, conducted a survey to gauge the overall consumer understanding of vertically grown produce and their produce purchasing habits. The majority of respondents positively indicated their desire of purchasing produce that is healthier, more sustainable, and environmentally friendly, and that has adequate and trustworthy labeling. For further adaptation and increased consumer awareness, vertically grown produce sold in retail spaces should be coupled with proper labeling to showcase the health and environmental benefits. Vertically farmed produce is not yet offered nationally, but with increased investment more farms are set to be built across the country, including the largest vertical farming research facility which is set to be finished 2023 in Laramie, Wyoming by Plenty Inc, availability of vertically grown produce is expected to increase. The future of indoor vertical agriculture is growing alongside their produce, with further innovations and achievements coming in the near future.

FEATURE

TAYLOR PUCCELLA, KAITLYN LAROSA, KA’AI IMAIKALANI I

IMPACTING COMMUNITIES

SMARTER CITIES, GREENER FUTURE Ka’ai I, an undergraduate senior from Hawaii studying policies, says a climate smart community is one focused on working towards sustainability. Alongside fellow team members and undergraduate seniors Kaitlin LaRosa and Taylor Puccella, one of the team’s primary research points this year has been looking into the barriers preventing communities from working towards this goal.

When looking forward into this year’s research, LaRosa noted how the team plans to grow and continue its research through the Dynamic Sustainability Lab’s opportunity for collaboration. “Creating those spaces on campus where students can come together across disciplines and unify with different skill sets all have an important role to play in pushing sustainability forwards,” Puccella said.

“A lot of time we find the barriers are things we’d expect like lack of funding, lack of manpower, lack of interest, but really one of the other key things is that some people just don’t find it a priority,” Ka’ai said. The team has also thought about the effects their own roles as students play in the barriers that prevent Climate Smart Communities, directing their goal to creating a program or partnership with the local Central New York municipalities and its students. Rather than focus on barriers, however, the team is focused on solutions.

ONE OF THE THINGS OUR PROJECT WANTS TO DO IS GET EVERYONE ON A BASELINE, AND HELP THEM SEE THAT, EVEN IF YOU MIGHT SUFFER FROM A LACK OF FUNDING OR LACK OF MANPOWER AND EXPERIENCE, THAT’S WHERE SU CAN COME IN TO HELP YOU BECOME A CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITY. KA’AI IMAIKALANI I, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

“When we’re talking about creating this project, we’re not talking about just helping municipalities but also really helping students,” Ka’ai said. For this team of three, the Dynamic Sustainability lab was created during their time on campus. “I always knew I was coming here (SU) for the environmental sustainability aspect,” Puccella said. “There really were no clubs at the time or anything that catered to that, so it’s really exciting to be a part of what we’ve always wanted to do.”

The Climate-Smart Communities program is a New York State Program that seeks to guide municipalities in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. In researching local Central New York participation in this program, barriers such as lack of manpower, experience, and knowledge have limited initial progress towards these goals. The Dynamic Sustainability Lab Luncheon hosted on November 1st with local community leaders emphasized this sentiment and highlighted real local experiences. At the Dynamic Sustainability Lab, Ka’ai I, Kaitlin LaRosa, and Taylor Puccella are working to create a SU Climate Corps, in which SU students can connect with these local municipalities through sustainability-focused projects, in order to contribute towards sustainability goals similar to those that drive the Climate Smart Communities program. In this partnership, SU Climate Corps aims to increase partnership between SU and its local community while building student interest and engagement in sustainability issues across the University and extending outwards to the local community.

IMPACTING OUR UNIVERSITY

SUSTAINABLE SYRACUSE DSL DEVELOPS AN ENERGY DASHBOARD FOR SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY In conjunction with the Syracuse University Sustainability Office, graduate research fellows Krishna Kashiv, Siddharth Asati, and Rahul Kotian have developed a Microsoft PowerBI based energy dashboard enabling university leadership and students to track historical and ongoing campus energy and resource usage. Utilizing a direct query with the university’s EnergyCAP data management system, the researchers are able to outline both historical trends and current monthly energy and resource data, with the eventual goal of daily and real-time energy consumption figures. This dashboard provides accessible, transparent, and intuitive data models for leadership and students to utilize in the pathway towards achieving campus sustainability goals. The project is currently in the final stages of development, with an anticipated launch in the upcoming year on a new webpage based out of the sustainability office.

ON-CAMPUS EV CHARGING During this last year a team led by William Treloar undertook an examination of the future needs of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for the Syracuse University campus. With new federal and state incentives for consumers to purchase EVs that in many cases exceed $10,000 there is a growing need to provide the necessary charging infrastructure. Syracuse University is no exception. The team undertook a web-based survey of faculty, students and staff to understand anticipated growth of EVs on campus and willingness to pay higher parking fees to help offset the increased costs of EV charging units. The team completed extensive financial modeling of different pathways to finance the necessary infrastructure requirements including utilities, construction and purchasing or leasing of Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 charging units. We also researched public-private financing, as well as the ratio of charging units to campus population for our peers across the country. As an example, there was a recent commitment by the University of Michigan to install 400 EV charging spaces. Syracuse University currently has 6 chargers with 12 spaces. The report was presented to university facility and sustainability leaders in December and a full report of findings will be provided to senior university leadership and the Board of Trustees in 2024.

INAGURAL SUSTAINABLE FILM FESTIVAL

In a joint effort between the DSL and SU’s Student Association, the lab put on its first Sustainable Film Festival. The Student Association sponsored a clothing swap, complete with free SU branded tote bags for each participant to take home their haul in. Following this, students went next door to the Newhouse Hergenhan Auditorium to see a screening of “The Lorax”, preceeded by a special introduction by Two-Time Academy Award Nominee and Director Chris Renaud, an SU alum.

SU ANNOUNCES NEW MASTERS PROGRAM

A new joint Master’s Degree program was officially approved by both the University and New York State officials in late 2023. A Master of Science degree in Sustainable Organizations and Policy is a joint program of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the Whitman School of Management and will start accepting students for the fall of 2024 academic year. Dr. Golden will co-direct this new program which he developed in partnership with faculty colleagues at Whitman. A co-director faculty member at Whitman has been identified after a national search and is in the final stages of the hiring process.

SU STUDENT ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIP One of the top priorities for the Dynamic Sustainability Lab is to generate excitement and enthusiasm of Syracuse University students from across the entire campus and from all disciplines. This is the second year of an exciting partnership between the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and Syracuse University’s Student Association. The goal of this partnership is to work together to advance student climate, energy and sustainability participation, research and outreach.

“This new degree exemplifies the close partnership between Maxwell and Whitman” stated Alex McKelvie the Dean of the Whitman School of Management. “This unique sustainability program at the nexus of business and public policy comes at a time of unprecedented new regulations, funding and business pressures to meet the challenges of a net-zero carbon economy. The graduates of this program will be uniquely positioned to lead organizations with these complex challenges through what we believe will be a nationally recognized graduate program” he added.

ADVISORY COUNCIL

EMILY TRUE

LETITIA WEBSTER

Head of Global Business Development, Agriculture at Amazon Web Services

Global Sustainability Manager at Pizza Hut

Managing Director & Chief Sustainability Officer – Asset Management Division at Goldman Sachs

JOBY CARLSON

DR. MARCO UGARTE

FRANCIS BOUCHARD

Director - Sustainability at Walmart

Managing Director, Climate at Marsh McLennan

Co-Founder at Dirty Labs

PAUL ZORNER

DR. ALEX WARD

SAMIR SOMAIYA

ELIZABETH FASTIGGI

Vice President & Chief ESG Officer at 7-11

KAREN BOYD

Carbon Services Sr. Manager at Truterra

Advisory Council Member, President at Bleujaune Advisory

President, Origin Materials Canada Research, Director of Open Innovation at Origin Materials

SCOT CASE

DAVID MARKS

STEPHEN LISAUSKAS

VP, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at National Retail Federation

Head of Public Affairs at Equinor Renewables US

Vice President of Government Affairs at WasteZero

BRANDON MORRISON Head of Sustainability at Resorts World

DR. PETE HE

Chairman of Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University

FEATURE

LORRIE VOGEL

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, IMAGINENOW More recently, Vogel made the transition to consulting, where she gets to work closely with a wide variety of companies. She mentioned particularly enjoying seeing the different stages various companies are in. She explained, “When I go into a company and see that their sustainability lives outside their innovation, I can see they’re in their early stages, and they’re still figuring out their goals.” When Dr. Jay Golden invited her to join the DSL advisory board, she was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him and The Dynamic Sustainability Lab is incredibly lucky to have Lorrie be a part of the team of experts. Vogel explained, “One of the Vogel, founder of ImagineNOW Inc., serve on its advisory board. things that I really enjoy about working with Jay is that he’s such Before creating her own consultancy agency, Vogel spent over a good thought partner I always like within sustainability when people have very different backgrounds… 20 years working for Nike, including serving looking at it from a different lens, and I as the VP of Material Science and Innovation. “SUSTAINABILITY he’s think that is really helpful” FOR IT TO REALLY Although she didn’t see herself ending up in Working with students to share knowledge BE AFFECTIVE a career focused on sustainability when she and thinking through issues together is IT NEEDS TO attended Syracuse University as an industrial another significant part of serving on the design student, she was presented with the INVOLVE ALL opportunity and recognized the importance DIFFERENT TYPES board for her. of the work. OF SKILL SETS.” In 2022 after giving the Syracuse University Her background in innovation and design brought a unique skill set to the sustainability team at Nike. Instead of following the traditional culture of simply telling the designers what they were or weren’t allowed to do, she initiated collaborative work, in which together they worked on, “creating tools and systems to help designers make better decisions.” As she worked closely with the chemistry and environmental science teams, she began to understand some of the larger, more complex issues. “As a product designer, you’re always thinking about ways to solve problems, but sustainability was more of a systems problem. You pull the lever on one thing, and you might reduce water in one area, but then in other areas, you’re going to increase energy.”

commencement address, she had the chance to meet with some DSL student researchers. “It was really interesting to be there and to meet with the students. It’s such a great thing to be able to work with young people who are really working to try and solve some of these problems I love the enthusiasm, and I don’t want to be the jaded person who’s like, ‘I don’t know how we’ll push that,’ but you can shift with them and then they’ll easily pivot in their thinking to new ways of doing things.” Vogel particularly recognizes the necessity of interdisciplinary study for students in order to make substantial change. The diversity of thought processes and perspectives is what is vital for the future of sustainability. She encourages students to get their foot in the door and push for movements in sustainability at any scale they can.

FEATURE

CECILIA FLORES

RESEARCH ANALYST, DYNAMIC SUSTAINABILITY LAB “It just really led me to focus on sustainability, on energy sustainability and trying to bridge those two things together,” Flores said. Now, Flores is back in Central New York where she attended Cecilia Flores always knew she wanted to be an engineer, but high school in Binghamton. While she may be entering her she wasn’t sure where her specialization would lie. Now, the first week with the lab, Flores will already have Dynamic Sustainability Lab is excited to “I KNEW THAT a friendly face: her mother. Professor Carmen welcome her as the newest research analyst. Carrión-Flores is a professor in the Maxwell AT THE END I While Flores has moved around during her School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and has WANTED TO lifetime, her most recent work experience done work with the lab. Cecilia says her mother was out in California. It was here that Flores WORK WITH THE was an influential force in her interest towards ENVIRONMENT sustainability. took classes in graduate school at UCLA and realized she had a different calling to AND TO DO “My mom works with environmental policy and sustainable solutions. SOMETHING though I didn’t want to do anything with THAT WOULD even “I started working with different kinds economics, I got part of that passion for the LEAD TO A MORE environment from her,” Flores said. of research projects and some of them SUSTAINABLE weren’t really related to sustainability, but I knew at the end I wanted to work with the KIND OF LIVING As someone who always liked math and science, applied that interest into engineering and environment and do something that would OF THE FUTURE Flores the researching of different technologies. Now lead to a more sustainable living and future,” THAT WE ALL she’ll be working at the intersection of research Flores said. KIND OF WANT.” and technologies in her work with the upcoming From here, Flores took a step back from USDA report to explain increases and impacts of academia to put her experience and education into practice. different methods of sustainability.

STAFF AVIGAIL BAILON

DR. JAY GOLDEN

Project Manager

Founder & Faculty Director

YETUNDE HAMILTON

Administrative Specialist

AARON OTIS Project Manager

DR. JANIRE PASCUAL-GONZALEZ Senior Project Manager

FACULTY PARTNERS Not Pictured: Todd Moss, Patrick Penfield, Cliff Davidson, Tristan Brown, Doug Nowacek, Kira Matus, Elizabeth Doran, Reide Corbett, Jesse Daystar, P.J. Jayachandran, Bing Dong, Azadeh Tajdar

PETER WILCOXEN Ajello Professor in Energy and Environmental Policy

CARMEN CARRIONFLORES Department of Economics

OBSTE THERASME

ERIKA SCHNEIDER

Sustainable Resources Management, SUNY ESF

Public Relations Newhouse School of Public Communications

CHRISTOPHER SCHOLZ

LEE MCKNIGHT

Earth and Environmental Sciences College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

School of Information Studies

REBECCA SCHEWE

TIMOTHY VOLK

SARAH PRALLE

DEEPAK KUMAR

Sociology Department

Sustainable Resources Management SUNY-ESF

Professor of Political Science Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Chemical Engineering SUNY-ESF

ROBERT HANDFIELD

JASON DAVIS

LEE MCKNIGHT

Research Professor Newhouse School of Public Communications

School of Information Studies

Bank of America University Distinguished Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management - NCSU

SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATIONS During this last year a design developed by DSL alum Cori Dill was utilized for a new Dynamic Sustainability Lab mascot. The design was loved by all the members of the lab who collectively submitted possible names for our new mascot. The winning name was submitted by Jacob Snelling. We are happy to introduce you to EVEE! And as we do each year, every member of the lab received a number of Dynamic Sustainability Lab merchandise including this highly sought after hoodie. Can you figure out the message on the back? The sum of greenhouse gas emissions equals zero.

@DYNAMICSLABSU ON SOCIAL

OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS

3,971 UNIQUE WEBSITE VISITS 4,567 SITE VISITS TOTAL

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 100% JOB PLACEMENT FOR PREVIOUS FELLOWS

Eversource • Department of Defense • Boeing • International Trade Administration • US EPA Region 2 • Morgan Stanley • State of Rhode Island • Syracuse University • NBC Universal • LA Memorial Coliseum • Global Impact • Dawn Foods • FEMA • New York State • Booze Allen Hamilton

The success of the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and the impact we are making for society and our students would not be possible without the financial support of individuals and organizations like yourself. Even the smallest of donations play an important role to help financially support our students and provide important opportunities such as to travel to major conferences and symposia to present their work as well as to network.

Additionally, as we enter 2024 and our third year, we are looking to stand-up efforts to develop and implement a new program to support smaller communities and organizations in smaller communities both in the United States and globally. We hope to fill a unique and much needed role in helping communities develop of economic and job growth through climate, energy and sustainability programs.

Examples of what your contribution can help with: • Hiring of undergraduate and graduate student researchers from across the university • Support with travel to conduct and present research • Research and outreach materials and supplies

To make an unrestricted contribution to benefit our students and the work we provide please go to: givetosu.syr.edu/pontarelliesf

OUR FALL 2023 TEAMS

ENERGY TRANSITION

EV TRANSITION

ENERGY DASHBOARD

USDA CLIMATE-SMART COMMODITIES

COMMUNICATIONS + FILM

CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES

Students present to members of the DSL Advisory Board

End-of-semester luncheon

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

Celebrating the holiday season with festive sweaters and treats for our graduating seniors

PARTNER WITH US WWW.DYNAMICSLAB.ORG @DYNAMICSLABSU

Dynamic Sustainability Lab 206 Steele Hall Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244-1020