| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.17 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | May 31, 2022 |
Thompson Rivers University
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.96 / 8.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 3,085 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 3,377.17 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 91.70 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 136.17 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 595 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 400.43 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 | 3,771.70 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 3,913.77 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 3,375 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4,132.40 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 | --- |
| Carbon sold or transferred | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon sinks | 3,375 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 4,132.40 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the carbon sinks, including vendor, project source, verification program and contract timeframes (as applicable):
The Climate Action Secretariat, a division of the BC government, is responsible for purchasing verified carbon offsets on behalf of public sector institutions, of which TRU is one.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 396.70 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 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, 2020 | Jan. 1, 2010 |
| End date | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2010 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
The baseline adopted (2010) best reflects the start of TRU energy/GHG reductions and sustainability initiatives which followed the establishment of the TRU Sustainability Office in 2009. Furthermore, the campus also saw rapid and substantial growth between 2005 and 2010, and so the 2010 baseline best reflects the changes factoring in that growth.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 1,101 | 0 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 89 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 14,176 | 8,206 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,512.60 | 961 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 4,622 | 2,716 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 8,664.20 | 4,838.25 |
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 | 0.05 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 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 | 91,912 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 61,850 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 80,640 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:
Buildings & Campus - Energy Reduction Projects and Initiatives
Low Carbon District Energy System (LCDES)
In 2020 Thompson Rivers University partnered with creative energy and started the process to build a low carbon district energy system on the campus which, when complete in 2030, is expected to reduce emissions from heating the campus buildings by 95% compared to a 2020 baseline. The system design is complete; BC Hydro has approved it; engagement sessions with the TRU community have taken place; and Creative Energy will pay for most of the whole system and then act as the utility provider to TRU for the next 30 years to recoup its investment. The system will be built in three phases. Phase 1 began in 2020 and will consist of nine main campus buildings; it should be done by 2025. The system will use a 2-stage heating system using BC Hydro electricity to power air-source and water-source heat pumps. Combined, the heat pumps can extract heat from the air even when it drops to -15C. The system will also have natural gas boilers to help with cooling peaks that are colder than -15C.
Revolving Energy Fund
The Revolving Energy Fund (REF) continues to grow upon the completion of annual energy conservation projects and accumulated savings. TRU remains on track towards a 40 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2022. In addition to technical changes, TRU’s involvement over the years in the Energy Wise Network Program and the support of the TRU Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, and the TRU Sustainability Ambassador Program (which educate, engage and empower students and staff), have helped garner the much needed internal support towards reducing our carbon emissions and environmental impact. The table below illustrates TRU’s reductions in the Energy Management program (EM) to date relative to growth of building space.
Continuous Optimization program - Round 2
TRU has completed Round 2 of BC Hydro’s Continuous Optimization Program at A&E, IB and HOL. All Round 1 measures have been reviewed and, based on the changes in occupancy, building use and the building’s systems, new recommendations were suggested and implemented upon (especially at HOL) to ensure each building is performing optimally. We anticipate a total of 375,000 kWh will be saved each year.
DDC optimization (direct digital controls)
Based on a campus-wide study (funded by the Fortis Custom Design program), most DDC optimization measures recommended in the study were implemented, which included nighttime setbacks, reduced minimum damper positions, and weather predictors. We will see 2500 GJ and 145,000 kWh of savings every year.
Condensing make-up air unit installation
One condensing make-up air unit was installed at the Gym building to replace an old make-up air unit. The new unit provides much higher efficiency and longer life. About 200 GJ will be saved every year by installing this unit.
Transportation
TRU BikeShare Program
The university bike share program was re-structured with a focus on encouraging TRU staff, faculty, and students to purchase their own e-bike by providing an ebike to try out for free for a few days before committing to a significant purchase. An incentive program for employees offering 10% off of the purchase of a bicycle (up to a maximum of $300; and for new or used, and regular or ebikes) proved popular in 2020 with approximately 70 people taking advantage of it.
TRU CarShare & Zipcar Programs
Car sharing on campus suffered the loss of the public car sharing company previously partnered with Zipcar. The organization withdrew from the entire province at the end of 2020. Zipcar was popular with students due to the low rental rates and convenient reservation system.
The business-use car sharing service for TRU staff and faculty (called ‘TRU CarShare’), however, has continued but at a reduced capacity due to low demand as a result of covid-19 making local and regional business travel very unnecessary. Two of the three vehicles have been re-assigned to allow them to be used on campus while demand for business travel is low, leaving a single vehicle available for regular use.
Telematics
Telematics trackers (supplied by Advantage Asset Tracking) were installed on most of the university’s fleet vehicles for compliance reporting and maintenance tracking. These trackers were also used to inventory the fleet and index fuel and maintenance costs with the intention of building a case for transitioning the fleet to EV’s. This work is ongoing.
E3 Program (managed by Fraser Basin Council)
Further to the fleet reporting systems using telematics, the university is also reporting on its fleet through a system called E3, which looks at maintenance and fuel costs and suggests fleet changes appropriate for saving money and reducing emissions. The main objective of the E3 program is to continuously work to make the fleet more sustainable, and help improve the fleet drivers’ skills.
Campus Community Engagement
Launch of Campus Strategic Sustainability Plan - 2020-2025 (CSSP)
The CSSP is a comprehensive plan that takes a holistic view of strategies over the next 5 years, incorporating more than 117 recommended strategies across four key focus areas (goals): Operations & Planning, Advocacy & Engagement, Learning, and Administration. These strategies are not all the responsibility of one department or office, rather they are shared among many. The CSSP is intended to provide a framework for various TRU departmental and operational units who have a role in advancing the campus sustainability initiatives. This comprehensive approach will allow each office or department to see where and how it can play a role in TRU’s sustainability journey. The plan identifies six priorities over the next five years:
1. Plan for Carbon Neutral and Net Zero Campus
2. Eliminate Single-Use Plastics and Other Single-Use Items
3. Integrate Sustainable Purchasing Throughout Campus Operations
4. Conserve Potable Water
5. Advance Sustainability Performance of Campus Built Environment
6. Champion Sustainability Beyond Campus for Global Impact (which entails increasing the impact of the TRU Student and Employee Ambassador Programs)
Event - The BC Cool Campus Challenge
The BC Cool Campus Challenge was TRU’s 2020 campaign event for its participation in the Energy Wise Network program, which is a BC Hydro and Fortis funded program to help organizations run energy conservation behaviour change campaigns. Here is the opening paragraph from the event media release:
“The BC Cool Campus Challenge gives TRU community members an opportunity to make a pledge to take personal steps reduce fossil fuel use and help TRU become the ‘coolest campus’ in BC. The increasing significance of climate change makes this year’s challenge almost as important as last year’s inaugural event, which was initiated to reduce use of natural gas in many parts of BC during a gas crisis. Several BC post-secondary institutions are participating in this year’s BC Cool Campus Challenge, which will continue with the main message of the importance of fossil fuel use awareness and reduction. TRU wants to once again demonstrate climate leadership and help reduce our climate impact. The event runs from January 6 to March 1, 2020 and the theme is ‘Hands-On Action’.”
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.