Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
---|---|
Overall Score | 54.15 |
Liaison | Leslie North |
Submission Date | March 3, 2017 |
Executive Letter | Download |
Western Kentucky University
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
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4.81 / 10.00 |
Christian
Ryan Sustainability Coordinator WKU |
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 | Some |
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 | Some |
Other categories | Some |
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:
WKU Office of Sustainability uses the Clean Air Cool Planet carbon calculator to track university GHG emissions. Carbon emissions inventory began in 2010 and continues to be updated annually for scope 1, 2, and some scope 3 emissions.
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:
In 2016, a representative of Midwest Clean Energy Enterprises worked with us as an external consultant on the development of a institutional climate action plan. The consultant reviewed emissions from the 2009 to 2013 period accuracy and verification and provided feedback and suggestions for ways to improve data collection and interpretation for accuracy.
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 | 9,401.40 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 13,276 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 2,126 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 1,671 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 24,352.50 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 26,471 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 | 35,879.90 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 41,418 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, 2015 | June 30, 2016 |
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):
The greenhouse gas emissions inventory is included in the job responsibilities of the Sustainability Coordinator. A limited inventory was conducted in 2008/2009. However a more comprehensive inventory (current baseline) began in 2010/2011. Each year, the inventory is updated to create a longitudinal data set which allows for tracking of progress and informs action.
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):
none
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:
none
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions | 35,879.90 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 41,418 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Number of students resident on-site | 4,737 | 4,393 |
Number of employees resident on-site | 25 | 30 |
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 16,143 | 15,951 |
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 2,450 | 2,453 |
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 3,053 | 500 |
Weighted campus users | 12,845.50 | 14,533.75 |
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 | 2.79 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent | 2.85 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 | 171,264 Square Feet |
Healthcare space | 23,153 Square Feet |
Other energy intensive space | 70,598 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 | 0 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Commuting | 0 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 | 0 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Waste generated in operations | 0 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
Other categories | 0 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
WKU is focused on energy efficiency and conservation and has decreased energy use by 25% since this baseline.
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.