| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.04 |
| Liaison | Natalie Hayes |
| Submission Date | Oct. 19, 2023 |
Bentley University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
6.97 / 8.00 |
Natalie
Hayes Associate Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 3,735 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 3,345.20 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 168 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 58 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 10,357 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported thermal energy | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Total | 3,903 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 13,760.20 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 1,033 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Institution-catalyzed carbon offsets generated | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from on-site composting | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from non-additional sequestration | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | --- |
| Carbon sold or transferred | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon sinks | 1,033 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the carbon sinks, including vendor, project source, verification program and contract timeframes (as applicable):
VERCs were purchased through 3Degrees from Honeywell's Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent, an industrial processing emissions project. These offsets follow the reporting and verification standards of the American Carbon Registry. The contract with 3Degrees was for 100% of Bentley's directly financed air travel and study abroad program for FY2022.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 2,870 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 13,760.20 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Start date | July 1, 2022 | July 1, 2007 |
| End date | June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2008 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
Bentley's climate action plan was written and completed in FY2009 using data accumulated in the years prior. FY2008 was the year in which the Office of Sustainability felt that the university had the most accurate greenhouse gas emissions data.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 3,278 | 3,330 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 11 | 12 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 5,312 | 4,989 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,047 | 779 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 44 | 0 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 5,558.50 | 5,161.50 |
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 | 0.52 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 2.67 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:
Floor area of energy intensive building space, performance year:
| Floor area | |
| Laboratory space | 3,500 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 0 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 5,009 Square feet |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives:
Energy Conservation and Efficiency
GHGs from electricity use on campus have been reduced by 30% through energy efficiency measures as compared to the 2008 baseline. Facilities Management and the Office of Sustainability work together on the following initiatives:
1. Energy conservation education
2. 1 solar project for the Arena completed in 2018
3. Green Revolving Fund (GRF)
Alternative Commuting
1.The Office of Sustainability has worked to expand education and programs about carbon-free commuting and public transportation. Since FY2012 people taking these alternative commuting methods has increased by 14%.
2. TDM Study
Renewable Energy Certificates
1. Bentley purchases wind power via green-e certified renewable energy certificates equal to 100% of the university's annual electricity needs.
Carbon Offsets for Air Travel
1. Bentley purchases Verified Emission Reduction Credits to offset business and study abroad air travel.
Website URL where information about the institution's GHG emissions is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Bentley's large decrease in Scope 2 emissions is due their purchase of green-e certified renewable energy certificates equal to 100% of the university's annual electricity needs.
Bentley's large decrease in Scope 2 emissions is due their purchase of green-e certified renewable energy certificates equal to 100% of the university's annual electricity needs.
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.