| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 92.73 |
| Liaison | Emmanuelle Jodoin |
| Submission Date | Oct. 24, 2022 |
Université de Sherbrooke
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
7.48 / 8.00 |
Patrice
Cordeau Assistant Vice-President, Sustainable Development Office of the Vice-President, Administration and Sustainable Development |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 5,136 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 13,956 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 365 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 419 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 88 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 106 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported thermal energy | 275 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 1,532 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Total | 5,864 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 16,013 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 3,075 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 | 16 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from non-additional sequestration | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 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 | 3,091 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):
In 2020-2021, the Université de Sherbrooke has bought 3075 carbon offsets. These carbon offsets come from six different projects in different regions of the world in the following areas:
• Conservation and protection of forests
• Wind power
• Avoidance of methane emissions from waste through composting
• Improvement of waste management
• Improvement of cooking stoves in rural communities
The credits have been purchased from credible suppliers and meet industry standards. The Madre de Dios project is certified by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS now known as VERRA) while the other projects are recognized by the UN platform and the Clean Development Mechanism established by the Kyoto Protocol. The Kitchen Stove project is also recognized by the Gold Standard.
The Université de Sherbrooke - Rapport des émissions de gaz à effet de serre 2020-2021 [EN: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2020-2021] (page 26, Table 10) presents these projects, as well as details of the retirement of credits on the public registry for each of them.
Carbon storage from on-site composting (16 t CO2e) is the carbon storage associated with the composting of residual materials by the composting unit in operation on the Main Campus (https://www.usherbrooke.ca/developpement-durable/matieres/compost).
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 2,773 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):
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Start date | May 1, 2020 | May 1, 2002 |
| End date | April 30, 2021 | April 30, 2003 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
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, Building Services, 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 “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 363 | 993 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 5 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 21 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 22,343 | 12,902 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 4,144 | 2,892 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 901 | 14 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 19,302.50 | 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 | 0.14 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 | 89,248 Square meters |
| Healthcare space | 1,229 Square meters |
| Other energy intensive space | 63,766 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:
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives:
From 2002-2003 to 2020-2021, the University enjoyed a period of growth in both surface area and student numbers. The Université de Sherbrooke has taken advantage of this opportunity to deploy an ambitious energy efficiency program on its campuses aiming to reduce energy consumption while also reducing the associated GHG emissions.
Between 2002-2003 and 2020-2021, some 45-energy efficiency projects or measures were carried out on the three campuses, representing investments of some $21 million. These projects include the installation of heat recovery and optimization systems such as heat pumps, heat wheels, heat pipes, runarounds, equipment replacement (higher efficiency boilers, windows, energy-efficient lighting), control optimization and recommissioning of mechanical systems, conversion of boilers to hydro, and geothermal systems. Some examples of the projects that have been implemented are:
• The installation of a heat pump in the Office of the President and the Central Library Building, and in the Georges Cabana Building on the Main Campus
• The installation of a geothermal system at the School of Music and complete replacement of steam heating with hydroelectric heating
• The complete renovation of the Student Life Pavilion (E1)
• The addition of an electric boiler to Pavilion Z5, on the Health Campus
• The modernization of the heating system in the student residences on the main campus (G1 to G15)
Construction and major renovation projects also include high-performance energy efficiency measures. Since 2002-2003, all of these measures have reduced the energy consumption of the Université de Sherbrooke's buildings by 44.4%. Overall, it can be observed that the reduction in energy consumption has been achieved by making optimal use of hydroelectricity.
Since 2018-2019, the Université de Sherbrooke has been purchasing renewable natural gas every year. Between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, the total of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) purchased is 275,027 m3. The purchase of RNG for the year 2022 will be substantially increased to 300,000 m3. This contribution has reduced emissions by 525 tons of CO2 over the past three years.
With regard to Scope 3 emissions, the following measures have recently been implemented and are still being improved: integration of GHG criteria in calls for tenders when 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.
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.