| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.64 |
| Liaison | Rob Andrejewski |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Richmond
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.95 / 10.00 |
Rob
Andrejewski Director of Sustainability Office for 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 | All |
| Commuting | All |
| Purchased goods and services | None |
| Capital goods | None |
| Waste generated in operations | Some |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | Some |
| 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:
This GHG Inventory was developed using the web-based Sustainability Indicator Management and Analysis Platform (SIMAP) developed by the University of New Hampshire. UR's methodology is in accordance with the recommendations of the Second Nature Climate Commitment guidelines.
The University of Richmond (UR) emissions include any emissions related to the routine functional operation of the University and its assets. This includes all major emission sources on campus including purchased electricity, energy usage in maintenance of grounds, and transportation.
The inventory tool, SIMAP, calculates GHG emissions from activities that produce carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and refrigerants. Emissions of CH4, N2O, and refrigerants are converted to metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) using Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Assessment Reports. This allows UR to calculate a total carbon emission Inventory for the University.
UR’s GHG emissions are generated from four main sources: Electricity, Fuel, Transportation, and University Operations. Based on GHG accounting protocols and standards, these emission sources are grouped into three “Scopes” defined on the controllability of each emissions source by the University. Scope 1 refers to any GHG emissions that are a direct result of operations owned or controlled by the University. Scope 2 refers to indirect GHG emissions that are of consequence of the activities within the organizational boundaries of the institution, but which occur at sources owned or controlled by a separate entity. Lastly, Scope 3 refers to all other indirect emissions included in UR’s GHG Inventory for which accurate reporting methods exist. Source categories are based only on UR’s reported SIMAP data. Scope 3 includes emissions from commuting, business and student travel, purchased goods, waste, and paper.
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:
This inventory was validated by Fovea as part of a pilot program in conjunction with Second Nature.
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 | 7,498.20 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 14,831.39 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 400.49 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 390.65 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 13,860.98 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 18,415.46 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 | 21,759.67 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 33,637.50 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, 2016 | June 30, 2017 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2008 | June 30, 2009 |
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):
2008-2009 was the baseline year used to establish the Climate Action Plan, which was published in 2010.
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):
N/A
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:
On-site renewable energy RECs (283) and purchased RECs (3851) are part of Scope 2 calculations using SIMAP.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions | 21,759.67 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 33,637.50 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,799 | 2,700 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 9 | 9 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 3,633 | 3,732 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 1,703 | 1,460 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 4,704 | 4,571.25 |
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 | 4.63 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 7.36 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 | 182,624 Square Feet |
| Healthcare space | 2,574 Square Feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 28,205 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 | 5,475.93 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
| Commuting | 4,500.92 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
| Purchased goods and services | 0 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 | 707 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
| Waste generated in operations | 0 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:
Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions have decreased by 37% primarily due to the elimination of the use of carbon-intensive coal on campus (2012) as a source of fuel. The energy use intensity has decreased by 26% to 111 kBtu per square foot. While retrofitting the steam plant with high efficiency natural gas boilers is mainly responsible for this decrease, energy efficiency improvements being made a lighting, HVAC, windows, and appliances are also contributing.
Gas powered steam absorption chillers have been replaced with high efficiency electric chillers that have magnetic bearing units. Variable speed drives are standard in HVAC units. A new energy conservation management plan is underway that has identified many other initiatives that will reduce GHG emissions.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support 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.