| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.44 |
| Liaison | Andrea Trimble |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2021 |
University of Virginia
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.05 / 8.00 |
Samantha
Kelly Special Projects Coordinator OFS |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 80,157.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 109,886.10 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 4,245.70 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4,593.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 106,729.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 176,643.80 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported thermal energy | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Total | 191,132.60 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 291,123.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 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 storage from on-site composting | 0 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 | 0 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):
N/A
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 191,132.60 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 291,123.40 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 | Jan. 1, 2019 | Jan. 1, 2010 |
| End date | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2010 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
In 2019, the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors committed to including several new sustainability goals in the University's 2020-2030 Sustainability Plan, including being carbon neutral by 2030 and achieving several "30 by 30" goals by 2030 relative to 2010 levels. While achieving carbon neutrality does not necessitate a baseline, 2010 is being used for this GHG baseline for the purposes of aligning with the "30 by 30" goals' baselines.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 7,076 | 6,623 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 69 | 69 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 612 | 566 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 22,935 | 20,449 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 16,607 | 13,295 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 32,054.75 | 27,547 |
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 | 5.96 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 10.57 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 | 1,081,497 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 1,003,511.99 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 306,990 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:
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives:
UVA continues to implement initiatives to curb the use of electricity on Grounds. In 2019, UVA saw continued success in implementing LED lighting technology in exterior lighting, building retrofits through Delta Force projects, and in new construction and renovation projects. Additionally, both of UVA’s utility scale solar fields, Hollyfield and Puller, were completely operational for the entirety of 2019, contributing to a significant increase of green power. These activities, coupled with Green Building Standards, have helped UVA reduce the consumption and emissions from new facilities added by the University since 2010.
Since 2010, UVA has replaced coal as the University’s primary heating energy source with natural gas. Although it has decreased considerably since 2010, UVA’s coal use fluctuates when Charlottesville experiences more extreme winter events, resulting in a shortage of the natural gas supply during this time. In response, the Main Heating Plant combusts coal to meet peak demand. While fuel switching has significantly reduced emissions from on-Grounds stationary combustion, additional actions also contributed to this success including the replacement of boilers at the North Grounds Mechanical Plant with low temperature hot water generators and heat recovery chillers, the burner replacements at Massie Road Plant, and the continued building improvements spearheaded by the Delta Force program.
Since 2010, UVA has established campaigns and incentives to promote more sustainable commuting practices while continuing to offer the University Transit Service and a partnership with Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT). These programs help faculty, staff, and students get to destinations both on and off-Grounds. The Cavpool program, is the most common sustainable, non-single occupant vehicle, commuting program at UVA for faculty and staff while other programs, such as UVA’s bicycle sharing program, are more recent additions to commuting options. UVA will continue to explore other options to reduce the impact commuting has on GHG emissions.
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.