Appalachian State University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.75 / 8.00 |
Jim
Dees Data and Assessment Specialist Office of Sustailability |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 21,295 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 30,611 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 1,044 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 882 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 13,700 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 31,075 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 | 36,039 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 62,568 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 | 76 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 44 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from non-additional sequestration | 970 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 67 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon sold or transferred | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon sinks | 76 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 44 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the carbon sinks, including vendor, project source, verification program and contract timeframes (as applicable):
Appalachian State University students, faculty, and staff can reduce their commuting carbon footprint by participating in the Carbon Neutral Commuter (CNC) program. Internal research shows that the average university commuter drives 4,300 miles per year, which is equivalent to emitting 1.9 metric tons of greenhouse gasses per year. CNC participants pay $8 per year, and 100% of the raised funds go to purchasing third-party certified offsets through Sterling Planet. During fiscal year 2018-2019, 2,833 metric tons of carbon offsets were purchased using the CNC fund to support North and South Carolina landfill gas destruction projects.
Appalachian State hold 970 acres of deed protected forested land in several plots around Watauga and neighboring counties. Based on the condition and age of these lands, we claim a sequestration rate of one ton of CO2 per acre per year.
Appalachian composted 83.45 short tons of material from the dinning hall and other on campus sources which has been been converted by the SIMAP online tool to 25 MTeCO2.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 35,963 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 62,524 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 | July 1, 2021 | July 1, 2008 |
| End date | June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2009 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
Appalachian's baseline year for GHG emissions is 2009. This year was officially introduced with the issuance of our first Climate Action Plan, Toward Climate Neutrality, on September 15, 2010. It was chosen mainly because if was the first year that offered a complete and soundly recorded data set.
In accordance with NC EO80, the university has adopted a baseline of 2005 for Scopes 1 and 2. For the STARS report, however, 2009 is adopted and acceptable because it is the first year that we have a complete data set for Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 6,022 | 4,996 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 14 | 8 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 2 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 19,580 | 16,153 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 3,105.70 | 5,686 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,752 | 1,103 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 17,211.28 | 16,803 |
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 | 2.09 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 3.72 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 | 422,059 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 203,000 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 15,276 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:
Appalachian’s basic philosophy as we continue our pursuit of carbon neutrality will be a pragmatic one that generally follows, in order, these three steps:
Increase Efficiency
First and foremost, the aim of Appalachian’s carbon reduction strategy is to work to increase efficiency in all emission areas. A philosophy of efficiency first must become our “standard operational behavior” in every area of campus operations and our routine behavior.
Fuel Sourcing
Efficiency alone will likely not deliver carbon neutrality. While Appalachian will conceivably, always need to consume some amount to energy to continue its endeavors, we will want to consider the source of the energy that we do use. A voice in public policy around energy and energy infrastructure, and action in rapidly evolving world of renewable energy resources will help further reduce Appalachian’s carbon impact.
Offsets Acquisition
Should Appalachian not be able to completely eliminate carbon emissions through the two previously described methods, certified third party offsets will need to be employed to achieve climate neutrality. We will, to the best of our ability, purchase offsets that benefit our local region, from projects that are relevant to the emission source for which they offset.
The majority of App State’s GHG reduction has come from efficiency work involving installation, maintenance and operation of building automation systems by the university personnel in conjunction with an energy savings performance contract. Reductions to both Scope I, Steam and Scope II, Purchased Electricity can be attributed to this strategy.
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:
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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.