W.M. Keck Observatory, a two-telescope astronomical observatory located on Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island, recently announced it has set a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.
“We are serious about being good stewards of our precious environment,” Keck Observatory Director Hilton Lewis said in a statement. “We have formulated a strategy towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2035, but our aspiration is to get there by 2030, driven by our passionate staff.”
Keck Observatory plans to primarily focus on two scopes, of which it has completed a full greenhouse gas inventory: direct emissions at the observatory's facilities and indirect emissions from purchased power, according to a Nov. 22 press release from the observatory.
To accomplish its goal, it plans to replace its current vehicle fleet with electric vehicles, and has already installed its first EV charging station. This will eliminate 99% of direct emissions, according to the observatory.
The observatory will also improve the energy efficiency of its facilities with energy reduction plans for the dome exhaust fans and telescope hydrostatic bearing systems. It previously installed a solar photovoltaic system at its headquarters in 2013, and at its telescope building on Mauna Kea in 2020.
Additionally, the observatory plans to research ways to minimize other indirect emissions from sources not owned or controlled by the observatory, but that occur as a consequence of observatory activities, such as business air travel.
In 2019, about 80% of Keck Observatory’s estimated carbon footprint came from emissions involved in the generation of electricity, according to the observatory.
“I am excited to be planning this initiative,” Keck Observatory Sustainability Advisor Kevin McCann said in a statement. “While achieving net-zero at Keck will be awesome, it is only a drop in an ocean of need. The real opportunity is to build momentum in our state and in the astronomy profession. By sharing our emission reduction strategy and applying what we learn from the efforts of other Mauna Kea Observatories and other organizations, we will help accelerate Hawaii's transition to a greener economy and more sustainable future.”
