| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.30 |
| Liaison | Patrick McKee |
| Submission Date | June 30, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Connecticut
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.04 / 10.00 |
Sarah
Munro Sustainability Coordinator Office of Environmental Policy |
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 | None |
| Commuting | Some |
| 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 | None |
| Other categories | None |
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 2016 GHG Inventory was conducted with the most recent version (v9) of the Campus Carbon Calculator developed by UNH. For Scope 3 emissions, Commuting reflects only the emissions associated with students and faculty/staff driving to campus in automobiles. Parking permit numbers are used to estimate the number of miles driven annually. For Purchased goods and services, only paper is reflected here. This data is retrieved from UConn’s purchasing office. For Waste generated in operations, solid waste data is obtained from UConn’s waste contractor, Willimantic Waste, and wastewater data is retrieved from the Facilities department.
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:
Once completed, the inventory is reviewed and verified by the director of the OEP, the Environmental Compliance Analyst in the OEP who is responsible for air quality compliance and reporting, and the Energy Management unit within Facilities Operations & Building Services, which operates and maintains the stationary sources that account for the vast majority of our GHG emissions, and which manages UConn's purchased power activities. The inventory will also be presented at the April meeting of UConn's Environmental Policy Advisory Council, which is responsible for overseeing implementation of UConn's Climate Action Plan and carbon-neutrality commitment pursuant to the ACUPCC.
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 | 94,447.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 108,925.90 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 7,057.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 7,953.53 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 3,585 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 14,738.30 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 | 105,089.80 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 131,617.73 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 | Jan. 1, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
| Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2007 | Dec. 31, 2007 |
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):
Prior to 2007, inventory numbers are inconsistent. Data consistent with the calculator dates back most accurately from 2007 onwards. We use precise actual fuel consumption numbers and emissions data for all scope 1 and scope 2 emissions sources.
Figures needed to determine total carbon offsets:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased (exclude purchased RECs/GOs) | 5 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 5 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 | 3,840 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 3,840 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from on-site composting | 235.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 3.50 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 | 4,080.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 3,848.50 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):
For Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased, the UConn Office of Environmental Policy purchases carbon offsets from Sterling Planet in the name of the winning dorm in the per capita energy conservation portion of UConn's annual EcoMadness competition. The offsets purchased reflect CO2 emissions avoided by the amount of energy saved over the baseline, by residents in all 23 first- and second-year dormitories competing during the course of the month-long energy and water conservation contest.
For Carbon storage from on-site composting, an on-campus composting facility began operation in August 2010. It processes up to 800 tons per year of animal manure. 3,840 metric tons of CO2 equivalent is offset via carbon sequestration from forested land that is specifically managed by the University’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment for four reasons, including carbon sequestration, forest health and biodiversity, forest management practice demonstration, and outdoor research for natural resource conservation, as outlined in UConn’s Climate Action Plan.
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 | 3,585 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:
We have a contract with a third party vendor, ConEdison Solutions, to provide UConn with green power for 100% of purchased power. Based on the Green-E Energy Certified certificate that ConEdison Solutions provided UConn, 100% of that green power was renewable wind power from Texas.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions | 97,424.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 127,769.23 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 12,699 | 11,307 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 32 | 26 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 8 | 8 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 21,764 | 18,602 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 5,296.30 | 4,604.70 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 221 | 395 |
| Weighted campus users | 23,320.23 | 19,950.03 |
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 | 4.18 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 6.40 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 | 491,834 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 8,873 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 350,441 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 | --- |
| Commuting | 15,593.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Purchased goods and services | 83.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Capital goods | --- |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | --- |
| Waste generated in operations | 294.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other categories | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
• Class III Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated by UConn’s Co-Generation Facility, sold to finance energy efficiency projects across campus
• 134 re-lamping projects completed for more than $700,000 per year savings in energy costs and over 5,000 Tons eCO2 avoided
• 19 retro-commissioning projects completed for $2.2 million per year savings in energy costs and more than 12,000 Tons eCO2 avoided
• LEED Gold certification requirement for all new building and renovations over $5 million
• Several variable-frequency drive (VFD) projects optimizing heating and cooling in buildings for around 1,000 Tons eCO2 avoided
• Long-term electricity purchasing agreement with ConEd for 100% of purchased electricity comprised of renewable energy
• Over 15% decrease in water consumption, despite 23% growth in user population from 2005-2014
• Agricultural/organic waste composting facility operating at maximum load of 800 tons per year
• Connecticut Institute for Resiliency and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) established in January 2014
• 400 kW fuel cell and 7kW solar array, providing electricity, heating, and cooling to the Depot campus
• Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge pledge signed: 5 active EV charging stations and an expanding EV fleet
• Hybrids and EVs are expected to comprise 20% of transportation fleet by 2020. As of 2015, the fleet consisted of 16 hybrid vehicles and 11 plug-in EVs.
• Solar thermal system installed on new STEM residence building provides 35% of heating demand.
Projections show that UConn is still on track to meet its 20% interim reduction goal by 2020. This is being achieved primarily through on-going LED re-lamping projects in buildings, parking lots, and walkways, and with the replacement of old, inefficient steam pipes. These projects are expected to be completed between 2015 and 2020 and will yield an annual 13,265 ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
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:
On-campus generation and purchased electricity figures have been updated with data from Facilities Operations.
Emissions and population data are for the Storrs main campus & nearby Depot Campus only.
On-campus generation and purchased electricity figures have been updated with data from Facilities Operations.
Emissions and population data are for the Storrs main campus & nearby Depot Campus only.
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.