Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
---|---|
Overall Score | 53.09 |
Liaison | DeLayne Miller |
Submission Date | Dec. 18, 2019 |
Executive Letter | Download |
Tennessee Technological University
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
4.10 / 10.00 |
DeLayne
Miller Sustainability Manager Facilities:Office of Sustainability |
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 | Some |
Commuting | None |
Purchased goods and services | Some |
Capital goods | Some |
Waste generated in operations | All |
Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | All |
Other categories | Some |
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:
Tennessee Tech uses UNH's Campus Carbon Calculator to track GHG emissions. This is an excel-based spreadsheet that has a category for each area of GHG emissions possible. Data was collected from many departments throughout campus to account for the numbers. The Office of Sustainability has many tracking documents that departments are able to update in order to be current in the information that is recorded on the tracking document. Each category was accounted for by Tennessee Tech's Business and Facilities Office and the Office of Sustainability. Included in the calculator is all scope 1 and 2 and partial scope 3 emissions. The data determines the amount of carbon emissions for every fiscal year.
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 inventory has been verified by the Sustainability Manager,DeLayne Miller, and by various other Facilities service managers. Many spreadsheets recording this data have been used and compared to ensure that the data is as accurate as possible.
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 | 11,824 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 14,257.60 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 25,060.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 22,666.80 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 | 36,884.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 36,924.40 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, 2018 | June 30, 2019 |
Baseline Year | July 1, 2004 | June 30, 2005 |
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 GHG emissions baseline year of 2005 was adopted because this is the earliest data that the Office of Sustainability has recorded on the spreadsheet. This was prior to the Campus Steam Plant Upgrade which replaced the coal-fire boiler with gas-fired. This upgrade greatly reduced our emissions.
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):
Currently, waste from yard clippings and wood chips produced from the grounds crew is composted at Tech's farm, this helps divert waste from landfills. The composting program at Tech, though small, is currently working on expanding to food waste from the dining halls on campus. Composting is also available at events, which expands on our current recycling program.
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:
Our primary REC is TVA's Green Power Switch program. Green Power Switch and Green Power Switch SE RECs are Green-Energy certified products, and meet the environmental and consumer-protected standards set forth by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. Additional emission reductions are due to on-campus composting, which takes place during various events on campus including the annual Heatin' up the Quad event in October. This is all included in Scope 2 calculations.
https://www.tva.com/Energy/Valley-Renewable-Energy/Green-Power-Switch/Green-Power-Switch-for-Business
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions | 36,884.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 36,924.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Number of students resident on-site | 2,252 | 2,200 |
Number of employees resident on-site | 75 | 70 |
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 8,724 | 8,562 |
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 1,176.32 | 1,100 |
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 352.18 | 250 |
Weighted campus users | 7,742.86 | 7,626.50 |
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 | 4.76 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4.84 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 | 300,472 Square feet |
Healthcare space | 0 Square feet |
Other energy intensive space | 141,805 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 | 895.60 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Commuting | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Purchased goods and services | 89.60 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 | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Waste generated in operations | 3,177.50 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:
TTU has taken many actions to reduce emissions between 2016 - 2019 listed below:
-The new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics building has been approved as a green building and will be LEED certified, completion of the building is set for 2020.
-Tennessee Tech also follows High Performance Building Requirements (HPBr).
-Building renovations include high-efficiency HVAC systems, lighting power reduction, occupancy sensor-controlled lighting.
-Occupancy sensors were first installed in campus buildings in 2012 and are continually being added to buildings across campus.
-Sub-meters have been installed in the residential life dorms which track energy consumption. In the residential dorms, "Tech Wars" take place among the dorms where each hall competes in different competitions. Included in these competitions are recycling competitions to see which dorm recycles the most.
-In honor of Tech's Centennial in 2016, 100 trees were planted on campus for Arbor Day. Each tree has the power to absorb 1 ton of carbon dioxide in its lifetime.
-As of 2016, there was a Bike Share program put in place to encourage students to bike to class and reduce their carbon emissions.
-LED lighting has been installed in many University buildings. Since 2010, more buildings have transitioned to LED light fixtures every year.
-Many student led projects have been funded by the Office of Sustainability to help to reduce TTU's emissions. Project Regrind, which was a commitment to zero waste that converts recycled water bottles into 3-D printer filament.
-The student led recycling program runs off of electric vehicles, which is a much better alternative compared to gasoline vehicles. Many other departments on campus have transitioned to electric transportation, including Athletics and Dining Services.
-The Sustainable Campus Committee approved funding in 2017 to upgrade the current High Rate Sand filtration system in the fitness center pool to a Regenerative Media Filtration System, this new system reduces the need for water to fill the pool and reduces the quantity of water that must be processed as waste water.
-A solar tree was installed outside of Clement Hall which allows students to do research with solar power in the campuses Smart Grid laboratory. This shows a campus commitment to clean energy.
-There are solar tables located around campus that are used by the campus community and provides wireless charging for devices
-Composting bins are available during events. Student workers at the Office of Sustainability direct students on how to properly dispose of compost. The most successful event is Heatin' Up the Quad in which there are multiple composting stations. Compostable bowls, plates, and silverware are also provided during this event.
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:
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.