Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
---|---|
Overall Score | 73.17 |
Liaison | Megan Litke |
Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2018 |
Executive Letter | Download |
American University
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
9.01 / 10.00 |
Hannah
Moskowitz Sustainability Analyst Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Has the institution conducted a GHG emissions inventory that includes all Scope 1 and 2 emissions? :
Yes
Does the institution’s GHG emissions inventory include all, some or none of its Scope 3 GHG emissions from the following categories?:
All, Some, or None | |
Business travel | All |
Commuting | All |
Purchased goods and services | Some |
Capital goods | None |
Waste generated in operations | All |
Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | All |
Other categories | All |
A copy of the most recent GHG emissions inventory:
A brief description of the methodology and/or tool used to complete the GHG emissions inventory, including how the institution accounted for each category of Scope 3 emissions reported above:
American University uses Sightlines who enters the data they gather into the SIMAP calculator.
Has the GHG emissions inventory been validated internally by personnel who are independent of the GHG accounting and reporting process and/or verified by an independent, external third party?:
Yes
A brief description of the internal and/or external verification process:
American University partnered with third-party firm Sightlines, a Gordian company, to conduct a greenhouse gas inventory as part of a sustainability analysis and benchmarking service. Sightlines’ proprietary process quantifies data from source documents (such as energy bills) and verifies the results by reviewing them with campus facilities and sustainability staff. Inputs are updated yearly, verified using a standard process, and handled using Sightlines’ internal data processing tools. Emissions are calculated using the methodology established by SIMAP, formerly the Campus Carbon Calculator, which is the most commonly used tool for calculating GHG inventories across the higher education sector.
Documentation to support the internal and/or external verification process:
---
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 and Part 3 of this credit? (reductions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions):
Yes
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from other sources | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Total | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date | End Date | |
Performance Year | May 1, 2016 | April 30, 2017 |
Baseline Year | May 1, 2004 | April 30, 2005 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
The GHG emissions baseline was set in FY05.
Figures needed to determine total carbon offsets:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased (exclude purchased RECs/GOs) | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Institution-catalyzed carbon offsets generated | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Carbon sequestration due to land that the institution manages specifically for sequestration | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Carbon storage from on-site composting | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Carbon offsets included above for which the emissions reductions have been sold or transferred by the institution | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Net carbon offsets | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the offsets in each category reported above, including vendor, project source, verification program and contract timeframes (as applicable):
7,000 Metric Tons of CO2 equivalents Carbon offsets were purchased in FY17 to offset our Scope 3 study abroad emissions. AU invested in the Paradigm Project, an endeavor that benefits communities in Africa by empowering women, providing jobs for women, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through reduced deforestation. AU's investment in the carbon offsets from this project enables the Paradigm Project to offer financial assistance to families in Kenya to help pay for wood-burning cook stoves as well as to help expand the Paradigm Project's distribution channels. The stoves are designed to burn wood efficiently thereby reducing the amount of firewood the women in the community will need to collect as well as improving indoor air quality for families. The contract term is from 1/1/2017-12/31/2019.
Emissions reductions attributable to Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) or Guarantee of Origin (GO) purchases:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Emissions reductions attributable to REC/GO purchases | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the purchased RECs/GOs including vendor, project source and verification program:
RECS are purchased from Carbon Solutions Group. The Verification provider is Green-e. They are generated as a result of renewable energy generation (wind and solar) during the period of 7/1/16-12/31/2018.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Number of students resident on-site | ||
Number of employees resident on-site | ||
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | ||
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | ||
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | ||
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | ||
Weighted campus users |
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Percentage reduction in adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user from baseline:
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
423,027.48
Gross square meters
Floor area of energy intensive building space, performance year:
Floor Area | |
Laboratory space | 9,992.79 Square meters |
Healthcare space | 447.33 Square meters |
Other energy intensive space | 3,305.77 Square meters |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
447,213.48
Gross square meters
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
0.02
MtCO2e per square meter
Scope 3 GHG emissions, performance year:
Emissions | |
Business travel | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Commuting | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Purchased goods and services | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Capital goods | --- |
Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Waste generated in operations | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Other categories | Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
AU uses a variety of strategies including purchasing renewable energy credits, developing onsite and offsite renewable energy, employing energy efficiency strategies, and a variety of engagement and education initiatives.
7,000 Metric Tons of CO2 equivalents Carbon offsets were purchased in FY17 to offset our Scope 3 study abroad emissions. AU invested in the Paradigm Project, an endeavor that benefits communities in Africa by empowering women, providing jobs for women, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through reduced deforestation. AU's investment in the carbon offsets from this project enables the Paradigm Project to offer financial assistance to families in Kenya to help pay for wood-burning cook stoves as well as to help expand the Paradigm Project's distribution channels. The stoves are designed to burn wood efficiently thereby reducing the amount of firewood the women in the community will need to collect as well as improving indoor air quality for families. The contract term is from 1/1/2017-12/31/2019.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity decreased from the baseline year to the performance year as a result of efficiency and solar energy use. American University partnered with George Washington University and George Washington University Hospital to develop solar within our electricity grid and now 50% of electricity used on campus is provided by those panels. Green-E certified RECs are purchased for the remaining electricity used on campus.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.