Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 75.15
Liaison Laura Young
Submission Date March 3, 2022

STARS v2.2

Michigan State University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.08 / 8.00 Laura Young
Sustainability Program Coordinator
Administration-EVP-Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
Performance year Baseline year
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion 376,689.38 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent 556,702.12 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources 4,200.69 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent 275.75 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity 48,473.11 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent 24,035.18 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 429,363.18 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent 581,013.05 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 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 0 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):

N/A


Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
Performance year Baseline year
Adjusted net GHG emissions 429,363.18 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent 581,013.05 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, 2018 July 1, 2009
End date June 30, 2019 June 30, 2010

A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:

The baseline used is 2009-2010. This was the baseline used to develop the Energy Transition Plan and with the initial STARS reporting. To be able to assess progress this baseline is used for consistency.


Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance year Baseline year
Number of students resident on-site 15,888 15,305
Number of employees resident on-site 63 0
Number of other individuals resident on-site 256 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 45,414 45,149
Full-time equivalent of employees 11,843 11,061
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 2,191 0
Weighted Campus Users 45,543.25 45,983.75

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 9.43 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent 12.64 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent

Percentage reduction in adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user from baseline:
25.39

Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
24,492,817 Gross square feet

Floor area of energy intensive building space, performance year:
Floor area
Laboratory space 1,865,278 Square feet
Healthcare space 169,093 Square feet
Other energy intensive space 681,133 Square feet

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
29,242,692 Gross square feet

Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
0.01 MtCO2e per square foot

A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives:

Michigan State is working toward climate neutrality by mid-century, doing our part to address the global climate crisis within our own community and on our own campus. As noted in MSU's strategic plan, the university has established a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from our 2010 baseline, eliminating 292,934 metric tons of CO2 (scope 1 and 2 emissions). A major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our 2010 baseline resulted from MSU discontinuing the use of coal in its power plant in 2015. Other actions taken by the university since then include:
- Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) practices have been identified across MSU through retro-commissioning, Capital Renewal opportunities and as part of building renovation projects. Examples of successful ECMs include: Steam Trap Management Program; HVAC control System upgrades such as connection and communication with automatic fault detection and diagnostic (AFDD) analytics platforms; Classroom scheduling applications (25 Live); Air Handling Unit (AHU) optimization; Constant air volume to variable air volume distribution system; and Lighting and lighting controls upgrades.
- MSU designed and began construction of Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (3 x 9.2 MW) and 200,000 pph Auxiliary Boiler which will improve overall power and steam generation efficiency of the central power plant which is expected to reduce total fuel gas consumption once they are placed into service in 2022.
- Began design for the addition of a 20 MW solar farm on the south side of campus, expected to be operational in 2023.


Website URL where information about the institution's GHG emissions is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.