| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.94 |
| Liaison | DeLayne Miller |
| Submission Date | Dec. 15, 2022 |
Tennessee Technological University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.44 / 8.00 |
DeLayne
Miller Sustainability Manager Facilities:Office of Sustainability |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 832.10 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 689.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 18,206.10 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 13,896.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 23,658.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 22,666.80 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 | 42,696.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 37,252.60 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):
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 designated events, which expands on our current recycling program.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 42,696.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 37,252.60 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, 2020 | July 1, 2004 |
| End date | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2005 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
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. However, campus square footage was approximately 25% less during the baseline year compared to present.
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 | 15 | 70 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 8,392 | 8,562 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,176.32 | 1,100 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 352.18 | 250 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 7,478.86 | 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 | 5.71 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4.88 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 | 1,006,736 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 0 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 83,924 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:
TTU has taken many actions to reduce emissions between 2019 - 2022 listed below:
-The new Lab Science Commons building has opened and is Tech's 1st LEED certified building.
-Tennessee Tech continues to follow State of TN High Performance Building Requirements(HPBr) standards for all new construction and renovations.
-On-going building renovations include high-efficiency HVAC systems, lighting power reduction, occupancy sensor-controlled lighting.
-Lighting occupancy sensors are installed with all renovations to campus buildings.
-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.
-Tech's Bike Share program encourages students to bike to class and reduce their carbon emissions.
-LED lighting is standard in University buildings.
-Many student led projects have been funded by the Office of Sustainability to help to reduce TTU's emissions.
-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.
-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.
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.