| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 88.13 |
| Liaison | Tonie Miyamoto |
| Submission Date | Nov. 7, 2022 |
Colorado State University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.64 / 8.00 |
Carol
Dollard Energy Engineer Facilities Management |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 54,925 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 60,600 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 12,209.73 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 6,940 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 78,877.10 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 109,500 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 | 146,011.83 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 177,040 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 0 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 | 153.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 123.10 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 | 153.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 123.10 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the carbon sinks, including vendor, project source, verification program and contract timeframes (as applicable):
Pre-consumer food waste and animal bedding waste is composted in an in-vessel composter and has been operating since 2010. Windrow composting was added in 2018. This expansion and method increased the opportunity to compost post-consumer food waste, mainly from dining centers, but also many collection locations in academic buildings around campus which collect paper towel waste and breakroom food waste. This substantially increased volumes of campus composting operations.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 145,858.33 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 176,916.90 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, 2021 | July 1, 2009 |
| End date | June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2010 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
FY10 is the baseline year that aligns with the year that CSU developed their first Climate Action Plan (CAP) and established a timeline for carbon neutrality. In 2021, CSU adopted a new date for carbon neutrality, 2040, formalized in a 2022 CSU CAP Update. The goal date was moved forward from 2050 established by the first CSU CAP. FY10 remains the baseline year against which CSU measures its progress toward the goal.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 7,407 | 5,343 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 88 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 765 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 29,260 | 24,304.90 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 7,008 | 6,140 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 6,127 | 2,879 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 25,244.50 | 22,010.18 |
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 | 5.78 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 8.04 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 | 2,260,788 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 609,678 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 589,082 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:
CSU wrote and adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) in FY10. Since that time total GHG emissions have been reduced by 22%. GHG emissions per GSF are down 41% and GHG emissions per student are down 39%
In January 2017, Colorado State University signed the Climate Reality Pledge – committing the university to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Since that time, local utilities have also committed to this same goal.
In 2020, CSU installed one of the largest ground source heat pumps in the western US. This system utilizes 342 wells, 550 feet deep to exchange heat with the ground and efficiently provide heating and cooling to the Moby Complex (a 375,000 GSF mixed use athletic facility).
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.