| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.69 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Kalkbrenner |
| Submission Date | Feb. 14, 2023 |
Santa Clara University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
7.97 / 8.00 |
Kevin
Jenkins Climate Action and Energy Manager Center for Sustainability |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 5,543.88 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 6,340.04 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 99.75 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 201.14 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 10,730.80 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 | 5,643.63 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 17,271.98 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 5,545 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 | --- | --- |
| Carbon sold or transferred | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon sinks | 5,545 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):
SCU uses a portfolio approach for purchasing carbon offsets, balancing cost per unit with social and educational benefits. At least 50% of the portfolio must have co-benefits. We look for projects that work toward higher-impact solutions as identified by Project Drawdown, and advance at least two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2021, SCU purchased carbon offsets through 3Degrees for the following projects:
• Prairie Winds aids in North Dakota’s transition to a decarbonized economy (https://3degreesinc.com/resources/prairie-winds-nd1-emissions-reduction-project-profile/)
• Cookstoves reduce emissions in Ugandan households (https://3degreesinc.com/resources/biolite-stove-uganda-project-profile/)
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 98.63 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 17,271.98 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 | Jan. 1, 2021 | Jan. 1, 2005 |
| End date | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2005 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
We use 2005 to be consistent with prior STARS reports.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 3,242 | 2,156 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 35 | 31.20 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 12 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 8,239 | 6,991 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,589 | 1,326.80 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 783 | 0 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 7,615 | 6,785.15 |
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 | 0.01 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 2.55 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 | 209,443 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 1,000 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 103,111 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:
SCU has had a public climate commitment since 2007, when then-president, the late Fr. Paul Locatelli, recognized the urgency to care for our common home and joined the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, now known as the Climate Leadership Commitment. Since then, Presidents Fr. Michael Engh, Fr. Kevin O'Brien, and Julie Sulivan have each reaffirmed this presidential commitment and called for progress to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions and called upon the Center for Sustainability to catalyze infusion of climate action, sustainability practices, and environmental justice work into the university’s academics, campus life, and community engagement.
SCU has decreased energy use per square foot by 42% since 2005. SCU’s Energy Master Plan sets a continued, ambitious course to reduce energy usage through efficiency upgrades, metering, and retro-commissioning building systems. SCU plans to continue driving down reliance on fossil fuels by reducing energy demand, expanding onsite renewable generation, and increasing onsite-energy storage capacity.
SCU’s carbon neutrality strategy includes strategic offsets to mitigate unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. SCU plans to use our carbon neutrality efforts to help scale global carbon solutions and climate resiliency, especially in poor and low-income communities where the impacts of climate change hit the hardest.
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.