| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85.48 |
| Liaison | Emmanuelle Jodoin |
| Submission Date | Dec. 6, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Université de Sherbrooke
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
8.59 / 10.00 |
Véronique
Bisaillon Sustainable Development Education Advisor Office of the Vice-President, Administration and Sustainable Development |
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 | All |
| Purchased goods and services | Some |
| Capital goods | None |
| 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:
The Université de Sherbrooke conducts an annual inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with ISO 14064-1 specifications and guidelines. The GHG inventory includes:
- Sources of emissions directly related to the Université de Sherbrooke's activities, namely emissions related to fixed and mobile equipment (Scope 1);
- Indirect sources of emissions related to the consumption of hydroelectricity and steam imported (Scope 2);
- Other indirect sources of emissions (Scope 3), as follows:
• Employees travelling as part of their work;
• Employees and students travelling from home to the University;
• Waste management (recycling, recovery and landfilling);
• Residual materials transportation;
• Office paper production and transportation;
• Drinking water and wastewater treatment;
• Fossil fuels production and transportation.
The methodology quantifying the inventory calculations is based on activity data multiplied by emission factors. For Scope 3 emissions, which are by definition emissions that are not directly under the control of the Université de Sherbrooke, activity data were determined from secondary information sources. Overall, these emissions are subject to a higher level of uncertainty.
In the carbon neutrality strategy (stratégie de carboneutralité) published in spring 2019, the Université de Sherbrooke has committed to be carbon neutral for its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. For other indirect emissions (Scope 3), programs are undertaken allowing members of the university community to reduce emissions. Open access programs to public transit for students and employees are examples of such measures.
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:
In 2017-2018, the GHG emissions inventory validation was conducted internally by a lecturer who specializes in greenhouse gas inventory audits (further information included in the GHG emissions inventory report).
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 | 6,315 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 13,956 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 482 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 419 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 90 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 106 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from other sources | 294 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 1,532 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Total | 7,181 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 16,013 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 | May 1, 2017 | April 30, 2018 |
| Baseline Year | May 1, 2002 | April 30, 2003 |
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 year 2002-2003 was chosen as the baseline for it reflects the year in which the first energy efficiency projects and measures were implemented and that had an impact on the Université de Sherbrooke's greenhouse gas emissions. This coincides with the hiring of a Director responsible for the Projects and Engineering Division, Facilities Department, who developed the energy efficiency program for the University from that time on. In addition, the Ministère de l'enseignement supérieur du Québec had defined 2002-2003 as the reference year for Québec universities.
Figures needed to determine total carbon offsets:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased (exclude purchased RECs/GOs) | 67 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 | 67 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):
This refers to credits purchased institutionally under the voluntary GHG emissions compensation program “Compensation CO2 ECOTIERRA – UdeS” related to events held such as Welcome Days, degrees convocation, etc. Credits are certified VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) and can be tracked on the Markit Limited public registry.
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 | 7,114 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 16,013 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 1,631 | 993 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 20,320 | 12,902 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 3,797 | 2,892 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 750 | 14 |
| Weighted campus users | 17,933 | 12,083.25 |
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 | 0.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 1.33 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 | 101,141 Square meters |
| Healthcare space | 0 Square meters |
| Other energy intensive space | 72,261 Square meters |
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 | --- |
| Commuting | --- |
| Purchased goods and services | --- |
| Capital goods | --- |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | --- |
| Waste generated in operations | --- |
| Other categories | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
The energy efficiency program’s continuity (investment of $2M/year) makes it possible to increase the energy performance of equipment while reducing Scope 1's GHG emissions. Indeed, projects generally include one or more of the following elements: installation of more efficient equipment, heat recovery, ventilation optimization, conversion to renewable energy sources (electricity or geothermal energy, particularly in recent years).
With regard to Scope 3 emissions, the following measures have recently been implemented: integration of GHG criteria in calls for tenders where appropriate, implementation of a public transit open access program for employees, measures to promote active transportation and continued awareness activities to reduce the carbon footprint.
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:
Université de Sherbrooke's GHG emissions inventory report can be found at the above website URL.
Université de Sherbrooke's GHG emissions inventory report can be found at the above website URL.
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.