Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
---|---|
Overall Score | 70.76 |
Liaison | Richard Johnson |
Submission Date | Oct. 13, 2017 |
Executive Letter | Download |
Rice University
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
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6.46 / 10.00 |
Richard
Johnson Director of Sustainability Facilities Engineering and Planning |
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 | All |
Purchased goods and services | None |
Capital goods | None |
Waste generated in operations | Some |
Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | None |
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:
Emissions calculation tool: The Campus Carbon Calculator, version 9.1 was used to calculate Scope 1 and 2 emissions for the performance and baseline years. Scope 1 emissions were calculated using a “custom tool” developed in a Rice chemical engineering class CHBE 281 “Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Communities” to complete its GHG emissions inventory.
Scope 3 emissions estimates were developed primarily in cooperation with CHBE 281 Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Communities.
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:
The baseline inventory has been reviewed both by a chemical engineering professor as well as a consultant who was hired by the university to develop a climate and energy master plan. The baseline year set by the consultant was FY2012, which is the period from July 1, 2011 thru June 30, 2012.
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 | 24,433 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 31,249 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 595 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 595 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 53,301 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 52,957 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 | 78,329 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 84,801 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 | Jan. 1, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Baseline Year | July 1, 2011 | June 30, 2012 |
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):
The baseline year was adopted by our consultant in the development of RICEMaP, the Rice Integrated Climate and Energy Master Plan. RICEMaP contains multiple reports: the report containing the carbon footprint and key elements of the climate action plan was submitted in the fall of 2013.
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 | 57,640 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 57,640 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 | 57,640 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 57,640 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):
The carbon offset value is for property managed by the Rice Land Lumber Company. The estimate provides was generated during the process for the Rice Integrated Climate and Energy Master Plan process, and comes from consultation with forest managers and Rice's climate action plan consultant.
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 | 20,689 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 27,161 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Number of students resident on-site | 2,852 | 2,824 |
Number of employees resident on-site | 36 | 71 |
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 35 | 0 |
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 6,554.33 | 6,071.33 |
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 3,026.67 | 2,842 |
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
Weighted campus users | 7,942.75 | 7,408.75 |
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 | 2.60 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 3.67 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 | 1,677,607.19 Square Feet |
Healthcare space | 13,352 Square Feet |
Other energy intensive space | 309,587 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 | 4,070 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Commuting | 5,783 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Purchased goods and services | --- |
Capital goods | --- |
Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | --- |
Waste generated in operations | 372 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Other categories | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
Strong focus on reduction of total energy consumption reductions. Significant improvements documented in plant operations. Direct solar-sourced electricity procured for calendar years 2015 and 2016.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Prior STARS and similar reporting used a custom tool, which yielded very minor variations in Scope 1 but larger variations in Scope 2.
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.