| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.53 |
| Liaison | Tanja Srebotnjak |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Harvey Mudd College
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.88 / 10.00 |
Louis
Spanias Sustainability Program Manager Hixon Center for Sustainable Environmental Design |
Has the institution conducted a GHG emissions inventory that includes all Scope 1 and 2 emissions? :
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 | Some |
| Purchased goods and services | None |
| Capital goods | None |
| Waste generated in operations | None |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | Some |
| Other categories | None |
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:
The Harvey Mudd College greenhouse gas emissions inventory was assembled using SIMAP (Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform). As a note for the attached inventory above, this is a spreadsheet of the data taken courtesy of SIMAP. We have yet to fully draft this inventory into a complete document, but we have retrieved all of the data possible.
Accounting for each category of Scope 3 emissions varied depending on the data available. As it pertained to commuting, we only had data available for faculty/staff commuting - which at the time of the most recent GHG emissions inventory (2008-18, fiscal years) was gathered solely via surveys - participant levels were less than 100%. We then extrapolated the proportions of the data available to establish a general idea of the commuting miles.
As for Business Travel, we were able to obtain some information from the Business Affairs office on staff/faculty travel. We estimated the mileage for each individual travel ticket, providing a reasonable sum for the college-finance travel for staff and faculty. As for student travel, the percentage of Harvey Mudd student-athletes on the triple-collegiate athletics department (Claremont McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps) was multiplied by the total number of miles to calculate Harvey Mudd College's contribution. This methodology was adopted since there was no record of how many of Harvey Mudd's athletes traveled to each tournament - so the overall team numbers were used. It should be noted that the data available for this period was incomplete, so the mileage contributed to this sector is largely an approximation.
Study Abroad travel emissions were estimated using much of the same techniques as for staff/faculty travel, with the help of a list of students who have participated in study abroad programs along with their destinations.
Waste and recycling at Harvey Mudd College is serviced by the City of Claremont Community Services Department which is contracted through The Claremont Colleges, Inc. (formerly the Claremont University Consortium) to provide waste pick-up for the Claremont Colleges. This arrangement makes estimating Harvey Mudd's individual waste difficult because solid waste is not weighed on pick-up. However, the Sanitation Supervisor of the City of Claremont was able to provide an annual average in trash recycling.
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?:
A brief description of the internal and/or external verification process:
Our emissions inventory and all of the data therein has been verified and validated by Facilities & Maintenance, Office of Business Affairs, Human Resources, and Division of Student Affairs personnel on our campus. The published report which will include this inventory will be subject to additional review by other internal partners on campus not involved with the actual GHG accounting, likely including our President's Cabinet and our Board of Trustees.
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):
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 2,228.49 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 1,825.65 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 1.69 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 51.46 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 1,662.13 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 2,666.27 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from other sources | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Total | 3,892.31 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4,543.38 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 | July 1, 2017 | June 30, 2018 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2007 | June 30, 2008 |
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):
Figures needed to determine total carbon offsets:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased (exclude purchased RECs/GOs) | 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 sequestration due to land that the institution manages specifically for sequestration | 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 offsets included above for which the emissions reductions have been sold or transferred by the institution | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon offsets | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 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):
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 | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the purchased RECs/GOs including vendor, project source and verification program:
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions | 3,892.31 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4,543.38 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 834 | 706 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 6 | 1 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 884.80 | 735.80 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 332.33 | 276.37 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 1,122.85 | 935.88 |
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 | 3.47 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4.85 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 | 42,510 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 0 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 29,209 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:
Scope 3 GHG emissions, performance year:
| Emissions | |
| Business travel | 1,032.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Commuting | 542.05 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Purchased goods and services | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Capital goods | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | 83.62 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Waste generated in operations | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other categories | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
Harvey Mudd College has taken on a number of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the past three years. First, the college established the Hixon Center for Sustainable Environmental Design in 2015 to initiate, support and coordinate college-wide programs and activities related to sustainability research, teaching and practice. Second, a number of steps have been taken building side. In August 2013, the college opened its first LEED Gold certified building. In August 2015, the college completed a new residence hall that also achieved LEED Silver. Harvey Mudd College has since set a goal that all future construction projects will achieve a minimum of LEED Silver status. Third, as it pertains to equipment, the campus has installed high efficiency magnetic chillers in our central plant that do not use oil, as well as high efficiency boilers for both heating hot water and domestic hot water systems. The college recently retrofitted interior and exterior lighting with LED lighting. Fourth, students living on campus have the means to recycle their own bottles, cans, and plastics and transport the items to a recycling center, keeping the funds for their own hall. Each residence hall has a large recycling container that the college has provided for this purpose. The college's recycling program also now includes trash compaction and cardboard baling for greater efficiency. Fifth, the Hixon Center has worked with Facilities & Maintenance, Dining Services, and students in the residence halls to institutionalize and implement composting and improve waste diversion from landfills. Sixth, the Green Office Program is an incentives-based initiative that promotes sustainable practices and purchasing in academic and administrative offices across campus. Seventh, the Hixon Center started a Shareware Program that discourages the use of disposable dishware by offering free, reusable alternatives for the campus community. Seventh, the 5C PowerDown competition is held annually across all of the Claremont Colleges to promote the reduction of electricity consumption in our residence halls. Eighth, the Dining Hall offers sustainable produce, grown in a system that emphasizes protecting and enhancing natural resources, using alternatives to pesticides, and caring for the health and well-being of farm workers and rural communities. Ninth, public transportation and sustainable transit are heavily encouraged at Harvey Mudd College. The college has conducted a rideshare incentives program for several years, encouraging the community to carpool and use public and alternative forms of transportation whenever possible. The College also now has electric vehicle charging stations in one of its parking lots. Lastly, the college has made an effort to reuse packing and shipping materials in its mailroom by providing bins for students to store reusable packing and shipping materials such as cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap.
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:
Please note that the 2008-18 emissions inventory attached purely shows numbers and is not a formal or published document at present. However, we obtained as much of the data as we possibly could and used SIMAP to offer us a less polished but still accurate inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions across the three scopes.
Please note that the 2008-18 emissions inventory attached purely shows numbers and is not a formal or published document at present. However, we obtained as much of the data as we possibly could and used SIMAP to offer us a less polished but still accurate inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions across the three scopes.
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.