| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.26 |
| Liaison | Karen Oberer |
| Submission Date | Jan. 17, 2024 |
McGill University
OP-1: Emissions Inventory and Disclosure
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.46 / 3.00 |
Jerome
Conraud Energy Manager Facilities Operations & Development, Div. of Univ. Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Greenhouse gas emissions inventory
Yes
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:
The inventory was compiled following guidance of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (2004), using the location-based Scope 2 methodology detailed within the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance: An amendment to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. It follows the GHG Protocol’s operational control consolidation approach, under which McGill is required to account for 100% of the emissions from operations, facilities, and sources over which it has operational control.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (2004):
https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf
GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance: An amendment to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard:
https://ghgprotocol.org/scope_2_guidance
Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (2004):
https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf
GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance: An amendment to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard:
https://ghgprotocol.org/scope_2_guidance
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 GHG inventory verification process:
McGill, as with all universities in Quebec, submits annual energy and emissions reports to the Ministry of Higher Education (Le Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur or MES). These reports are "is subject to a specified audit procedure by a practicing professional." This occurs in September of each year. The detailed report submission process can be found in the attached documents below: the MES ENERGY DATA COLLECTION 2022-2023 USER GUIDE (both the original French and translated document).
The University also completes emission inventories annually and report to the federal (NPRI), provincial (IQÉA), and municipal governments for both downtown and Macdonald campuses. The GHG emissions inventory submitted to these agencies can be selected for auditing at their discretion.
The University also completes emission inventories annually and report to the federal (NPRI), provincial (IQÉA), and municipal governments for both downtown and Macdonald campuses. The GHG emissions inventory submitted to these agencies can be selected for auditing at their discretion.
Documentation to support the GHG inventory verification process:
Scope 1 GHG emissions
| Weight in MTCO2e | |
| Stationary combustion | 31,500 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other sources (mobile combustion, process emissions, fugitive emissions) | 2,864 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Total gross Scope 1 GHG emissions, performance year:
34,364
Metric tons of CO2 equivalent
Scope 2 GHG emissions
| Weight in MTCO2e | |
| Imported electricity | 3,630 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Imported thermal energy | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Total gross Scope 2 GHG emissions, performance year:
3,630
Metric tons of CO2 equivalent
GHG emissions from biomass combustion
375
Metric tons of CO2 equivalent
Scope 3 GHG emissions
| Yes or No | Weight in MTCO2e | |
| Business travel | Yes | 3,326 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Commuting | Yes | 4,610 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Purchased goods and services | No | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Capital goods | No | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | Yes | 1,773 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Waste generated in operations | No | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other sources | Yes | 479 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Total Scope 3 GHG emissions, performance year:
10,188
Metric tons of CO2 equivalent
A brief description of how the institution accounted for its Scope 3 emissions:
The inclusion of relevant Scope 3 emission sources has been decided in conjunction with key stakeholders based on activities that are believed to have significant greenhouse gas impact are most relevant to the University's mission; access to accurate data has also been considered.
By including select Scope 3 emissions in its long-term target, McGill is taking an ambitious approach to carbon neutrality that demonstrates leadership and accountability. The following activities and resulting Scope 3 emissions are included in the CY2022 inventory:
- Electricity and natural gas consumption not included in Scope 1 emissions ("Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2")
- Student, faculty, and staff commuting ("Commuting")
- Directly-financed University-related air travel ("Business travel")
- Travel by the University’s sports teams ("Other sources")
- Travel by the Macdonald Shuttle bus ("Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2")
- Water supply & treatment ("Other sources")
- Power transmission & distribution (T&D) losses occurring between production sites and McGill facilities ("Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2")
By including select Scope 3 emissions in its long-term target, McGill is taking an ambitious approach to carbon neutrality that demonstrates leadership and accountability. The following activities and resulting Scope 3 emissions are included in the CY2022 inventory:
- Electricity and natural gas consumption not included in Scope 1 emissions ("Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2")
- Student, faculty, and staff commuting ("Commuting")
- Directly-financed University-related air travel ("Business travel")
- Travel by the University’s sports teams ("Other sources")
- Travel by the Macdonald Shuttle bus ("Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2")
- Water supply & treatment ("Other sources")
- Power transmission & distribution (T&D) losses occurring between production sites and McGill facilities ("Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2")
Part 2. Air pollutant emissions inventory
Yes
Annual weight of emissions for::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 48.32 Metric tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | 0.21 Metric tons |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 22.92 Metric tons |
| Particulate matter (PM) | 0.15 Metric tons |
| Ozone (O3) | 0 Metric tons |
| Lead (Pb) | 0 Metric tons |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | 0 Metric tons |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | 1.06 Metric tons |
| Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations | 1.50 Metric tons |
Do the air pollutant emissions figures provided include the following sources?:
| Yes or No | |
| Major stationary sources | Yes |
| Area sources | No |
| Mobile sources | No |
| Commuting | No |
| Off-site electricity production | No |
None
A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:
Emissions are calculated using spreadsheet calculation tools provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada for all emissions from the combustion of natural gas, diesel, and fuel oil on campus. All mandatory pollutant emissions are reported within the NPRI (National Pollutant Release Inventory) and IQÉA (Inventaire Québécois des Émissions Atmosphériques) processes in addition to voluntary reporting of select non-mandatory emissions (those where we do not meet the mandatory reporting threshold).
Optional Fields
---
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported thermal energy (location-based) :
---
Website URL where information about the institution’s emissions inventories is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The 3,630 MTCO2e of Scope 2 emissions labelled "Imported electricity" actually refers to purchased energy for electricity, steam, hot water, and chilled water.
Past GHG inventories (2015-2021): https://www.mcgill.ca/sustainability/commitments/carbon-neutrality
Emissions listed under "ozone depleting compounds (ODCs)" are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Emissions listed under "Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations" are volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Air pollutant emissions figures for "major stationary sources" include all major stationary sources, including boilers and back-up generators.
Past GHG inventories (2015-2021): https://www.mcgill.ca/sustainability/commitments/carbon-neutrality
Emissions listed under "ozone depleting compounds (ODCs)" are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Emissions listed under "Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations" are volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Air pollutant emissions figures for "major stationary sources" include all major stationary sources, including boilers and back-up generators.
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.