| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.59 |
| Liaison | Chris Adam |
| Submission Date | Sept. 7, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dawson College
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
9.83 / 10.00 |
Chris
Adam Coordinator Sustainability Office |
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 | All |
| Purchased goods and services | None |
| Capital goods | None |
| Waste generated in operations | All |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | None |
| 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:
This assessment has been carried out in accordance with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and World Resources Institute's (WBCSD/WRI) Greenhouse Gas Protocol; a Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, including the GHG Protocol Scope 2
Guidance. This protocol is considered current best practice for corporate or organisational greenhouse gas emissions reporting. GHG emissions have been reported by the three WBCSD/WRI Scopes.
Scope 1 includes direct GHG emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the company such as natural gas combustion and company owned vehicles.
Scope 2 accounts for GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat and steam generated off-site. As the subject of this assessment operates in markets which offer contractual instruments with product or supplier-specific data, scope 2 emissions are reported using
both the location-based method and the market-based method. The location-based method applies average emission factors that correspond to the grid where consumption occurs, whereas the market-based method applies emission factors that correspond to energy purchased (or not
purchased) through contractual instruments. Contractual instruments include energy attribute certificates, direct energy contracts, and supplier specific emission rates. The subject of this assessment has ensured that any contractual instruments used in the market-based method have
met the Scope 2 Quality Criteria, as defined in the Guidance. Where contractual instruments do not meet the Quality Criteria, or where contractual instruments were not purchased, market-based scope 2 emissions have been calculated using residual mix emission factors. Where
residual mix emission factors are not available, market-based scope 2 emissions have been calculated using default location grid-average emission factors, per the Protocol hierarchy. This may result in double counting between electricity consumers, as an adjusted emission factor
taking into account voluntary purchases of electricity with specific attributes was not available.
Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions such as waste disposal, business travel and staff commuting. Reporting of these activities is optional under the WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol, but as they can contribute a significant portion of overall emissions Ecometrica recommends
they are reported where applicable.
A GHG assessment is an essential tool in the process of monitoring and reducing an organisation's climate change impact as it allows reduction targets to be set and action plans formulated. GHG assessment results can also allow organisations to be transparent about their climate
change impacts through reporting of GHG emissions to customers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. Regular assessments allow clients to track their progress in achieving reductions over time and provide evidence to support green claims in external marketing
initiatives such as product labelling or CSR reporting. Ecometrica GHG assessments are designed to be transparent, consistent and repeatable over time.
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:
Measuring
Dawson has been tracking its greenhouse gas emissions in various forms since 2008. We have progressed significantly in reducing our emissions. Providing financial support and resources to measure, audit and offset our emissions has been essential for us to achieve our goals.
Measuring greenhouse gas emissions can be challenging as data can vary, be fragmented or inaccurate. Dawson is concerned with rigorous reporting and has consequently chosen to involve a third party to verify our calculations. Ecometrica Inc. is an international company that specializes in auditing and measuring greenhouse gas emissions. They have been auditing our emissions since 2012.
Through the Ecometrica platform, methods of collecting and tabulating are documented in order to keep records consistent, help with data extraction and also to improve multi-year trackingfor different departments.
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 | 323 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 642 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 16 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 2.48 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 15.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 46.50 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 | 354.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 690.98 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, 2018 | June 30, 2019 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2009 | June 30, 2010 |
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):
In 2009-2010 was the first year that Dawson College started the tracking of GHG emissions with a third-party for verification of data. we have tracked and documented every year since 2009 and have valuable data for comparative analysis.
Figures needed to determine total carbon offsets:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased (exclude purchased RECs/GOs) | 2,687 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 | 1 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 | 1 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon offsets | 2,687 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):
This refers to credits purchased institutionally under the voluntary GHG emissions compensation program with “Taking Root”. Dawson has been Carbon Neutral, every year, since 2017-2018 with Taking Root as an offset provider.
This partnership has helped Taking Root’s project to become the largest reforestation initiative in Nicaragua, creating a movement across thousands of farmers to reforest land across the country.
As well as sequestering 3,704 tons of CO2, since 2017, the trees Dawson College has funded go beyond a natural climate solution, helping farmers improve their livelihoods by building reforestation enterprises. In addition, the funding is stimulating local economic development, helping to create hundreds of seasonal jobs annually with landless farmers in the area, some of the most vulnerable in the community. These jobs are an essential source of income for them, helping to reduce inequalities and build local financial resilience.
Website: www.takingroot.org
Canadian Corporation Number: 443948-1
Plan Vivo certification credentials: https://www.planvivo.org/project-network/communitree-nicaragua/
Taking Root is a leader in forest monitoring and reporting. At the project’s last verification (every 5 years), Taking Root was awarded “best monitoring and evaluation” by the Rainforest Alliance. Using Taking Root’s proprietary software platform, FARM-TRACE, Dawson College will be able to track its impacts. FARM-TRACE uses mobile, satellite and machine learning data to map and provide impact reporting across each farm. FARM-TRACE will give Dawson College unparalleled transparency into the carbon stored on each farm, forest cover, farmer profiles and farmer activities. As well as reporting, FARM-TRACE offers Dawson College an interactive experience to engage stakeholders and students in its sustainability initiatives. You can see Taking Root’s project on FARM-TRACE here: https://app.farm-trace.com/en/communitree.
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 | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 690.98 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 10,222 | 9,614 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 795 | 720 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 8,262.75 | 7,750.50 |
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 | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0.09 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 | 3,234 Square meters |
| Healthcare space | 1,650 Square meters |
| Other energy intensive space | 545 Square meters |
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 | 84.71 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Commuting | 1,984 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 | 264 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other categories | 0.57 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
The Board of Governors of Dawson College made the bold commitment to be Carbon Neutral Forever in October 2018. Now, that promise is being implemented with the planting of 30,000 trees this spring and summer.
“Many of these trees, already growing in nurseries, will offset Dawson’s carbon footprint for the years of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019,” said Chris Adam of Dawson’s Sustainability Office. “There is a process to determine the carbon footprint for the year and then a budget cycle to work within. We are now well set-up to maintain our carbon neutrality through a current partnership with reforestation not-for-profit Taking Root.”
Waste reduction campaigns to lower landfill related emissions,, better monitoring of contractor construction waste, upgrading of chillers to reduce energy use and heat recovery from vented air during winter months are being reviewed.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
3rd party Dawson College GHG audits from Ecometrica Inc. are available from the 2009-10 fiscal year through until 2018-19 at: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/sustainable/sustainability-plan/reports-2/
Carbon offset certificates available at: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/sustainable/sustainability-plan/reports-2/ecometrica/
3rd party Dawson College GHG audits from Ecometrica Inc. are available from the 2009-10 fiscal year through until 2018-19 at: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/sustainable/sustainability-plan/reports-2/
Carbon offset certificates available at: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/sustainable/sustainability-plan/reports-2/ecometrica/
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.