| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.56 |
| Liaison | John Pumilio |
| Submission Date | Oct. 11, 2022 |
Colgate University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
7.05 / 8.00 |
John
Pumilio Director of Sustainability Sustainability Office |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 7,628.20 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 6,138 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 778.36 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 1,443.08 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 1,885 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 | 8,406.56 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 9,466.08 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 6,500 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 | 3,778 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | --- |
| Carbon sold or transferred | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon sinks | 6,500 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):
Each year, Colgate's Office of Sustainability and Sustainability Council publishes an annual Carbon Offsets report that details the university's process for purchasing offsets and the type and specific projects invested in. Colgate's 2021 annual offsets report can be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CdPzWCovpTdOxXOskdbFipHZaTvIVUSh/view?usp=sharing
Additionally, Colgate’s local forest has been certified by the American Tree Farm System for long-term sustainable management. These trees have been inventoried and sequester 3,778 tons of carbon dioxide annually. We actively manage these forests, as outlined in our land-stewardship plan. This plan has five goals: teaching and research; outdoor recreation and aesthetic value; conservation of ecosystems services and biodiversity; timber production; and carbon sequestration. We adhere to this plan to manage our forest for sequestration. More information and our forest carbon inventory can be found here: https://www.colgate.edu/about/sustainability/land-forest-stewardship
The elimination of Scope 2 (electricity) emissions between Colgate's baseline in 2009 and the performance year was due to the Hamilton Municipal Coop (the local utility that Colgate purchases electricity from) securing 100% of its power from carbon-free hydroelectricity and nuclear power within our state.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 1,906.56 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 9,466.08 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, 2020 | June 1, 2009 |
| End date | June 30, 2021 | May 30, 2010 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
Our baseline was established with the hiring of our Director of Sustainability and with our first greenhouse gas inventory after signing the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (since renamed Second Nature's Climate Commitment) in 2009. Before this, Colgate did not measure the university's greenhouse gas footprint (comprehensively).
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,426 | 2,184 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 4 | 6 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 2,676 | 2,784 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 962 | 968 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 3,336 | 3,361.50 |
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 | 0.57 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 2.82 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 | 121,012 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 2,202 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 58,742 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:
In 2009, we signed the ACUPCC (Second Nature's Carbon Commitment) and committed to carbon neutrality by 2019 with the final approval of our 2011 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The Plan identified 27 carbon mitigation projects that we have been implementing systematically. To date, we have installed solar thermal and geothermal energy systems, replaced fuel oil #6 with natural gas, built and renovated six buildings that have achieved LEED certification, completed energy conservation measures in our existing buildings (e.g., HVAC upgrades, variable speed drives, LED lighting upgrades, etc.). We have installed electric vehicle charging stations, purchased hybrid and electric vehicles for our vehicle fleet, installed low-flow showerheads throughout campus, introduced an on-campus composting program, expanded our bike share program, introduced student and staff educational programming, among others. As a result of these actions, the university has reduced its carbon footprint by over 50 percent since 2009 despite adding five new buildings and over 100 additional students, faculty, and staff.
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:
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.