| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.24 |
| Liaison | Rob Andrejewski |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
University of Richmond
OP-1: Emissions Inventory and Disclosure
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.94 / 3.00 |
Rob
Andrejewski Director of Sustainability Office for Sustainability |
Has the institution conducted a GHG emissions inventory within the previous three years that includes all Scope 1 and 2 emissions? :
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:
This GHG Inventory was developed using the web-based Sustainability Indicator Management and Analysis Platform (SIMAP) developed by the University of New Hampshire. The following methodologies are in accordance with the recommendations of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) guidelines.
Inventory Boundary
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, transportation, and operations on the University campus in the City of Richmond and Henrico County.
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.
GHG Emission Sources
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.
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 GHG inventory verification process:
Documentation to support the GHG inventory verification process:
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions, performance year:
| Weight in MTCO2e | |
| Stationary combustion | 8,913.92 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other sources (mobile combustion, process emissions, fugitive emissions) | 248.48 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Total gross Scope 1 GHG emissions, performance year:
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions, performance year (market-based):
| Weight in MTCO2e | |
| Imported electricity | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Imported thermal energy | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Total gross Scope 2 GHG emissions, performance year:
Gross GHG emissions from biogenic sources, performance year:
Does the GHG emissions inventory include Scope 3 emissions from the following sources?:
| Yes or No | Weight in MTCO2e | |
| Business travel | Yes | 290.28 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Commuting | Yes | 2,881.02 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Purchased goods and services | Yes | 48.95 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Capital goods | No | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | Yes | 1,289.37 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Waste generated in operations | Yes | 268.09 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other sources | --- | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Total Scope 3 GHG emissions, performance year:
A brief description of how the institution accounted for its Scope 3 emissions:
Scope 3 GHG Source Categories: Other Indirect Emissions
1. Student, Faculty, Staff Commuting
2. Air Travel
3. Other Financed Travel
4. Waste Generated in Operations
5. Electricity Transmission and Distribution Losses
Data input to SIMAP is sourced from a variety of University personnel and sources. Institutional data is maintained by Institutional Effectiveness.
Directly financed outsourced travel is provided by Procurement. Study abroad travel is provided by the Office for International Education. Data regarding paper purchased is provided by both Purchasing and Ricoh. Solid waste and wastewater is provided by University Facilities and composted waste is reported by Reduction in Motion.
Staff, Faculty, Student Commuting data is acquired by the Office for Sustainability in partnership with the Office for Institutional Effectiveness. A survey is sent to all faculty, staff, and any student who does not live on campus.
Has the institution completed an inventory within the previous three years to quantify its air pollutant emissions?:
Annual weight of emissions for::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 7.85 Tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | 0.46 Tons |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 9.68 Tons |
| Particulate matter (PM) | 0.53 Tons |
| Ozone (O3) | 0 Tons |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.00 Tons |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | 0 Tons |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | 0 Tons |
| Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations | 0 Tons |
Do the air pollutant emissions figures provided include the following sources?:
| Yes or No | |
| Major stationary sources | Yes |
| Area sources | No |
| Mobile sources | No |
| Commuting | No |
| Off-site electricity production | No |
A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:
As reported to the state DEQ using AP-42 factors and manufacturers data for stationary equipment.
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity (location-based):
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported thermal energy (location-based) :
Website URL where information about the institution’s emissions inventories is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
COVID drastically reduced Scope 3 emissions related to study abroad and directly financed travel.
COVID drastically reduced Scope 3 emissions related to study abroad and directly financed travel.
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.