| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.12 |
| Liaison | Patrick McKee |
| Submission Date | Nov. 16, 2023 |
University of Connecticut
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.45 / 8.00 |
Patrick
McKee Senior Sustainability Program Manager Office of Sustainability |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 100,947.90 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 108,925.90 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 2,891.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 7,953.53 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 4,372.02 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 14,738.30 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 | 108,211.42 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 131,617.73 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 | 5 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 | 3.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from non-additional sequestration | 5,398.53 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 | 8.50 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the carbon sinks, including vendor, project source, verification program and contract timeframes (as applicable):
For Carbon storage from on-site composting, an on-campus composting facility began operation in August 2010. It processes up to 800 tons per year of animal manure, but is sold to the community and therefore not used as a soil amendment on campus. 5,398.53 metric tons of CO2 equivalent is offset via carbon sequestration from forested land that is specifically managed by the University’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment for four reasons, including carbon sequestration, forest health and biodiversity, forest management practice demonstration, and outdoor research for natural resource conservation, as outlined in UConn’s Climate Action Plan. Carbon offset through sequestration is calculated under the assumption that every acre of sequestered forested land is equal to 2.56 metric tons of CO2 equivalent offset. This calculation comes from: Birdsey, Richard “Forest and Global Change Vol. 2”. UConn also has the Hillside Environmental Education Park (HEEP) which is managed by the UConn Office of Sustainability. The HEEP comprises of 165 acres of forested land in a land trust ensuring the area is preserved in perpetuity.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 108,211.42 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 131,609.23 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, 2022 | Jan. 1, 2007 |
| End date | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2007 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
Prior to 2007, inventory numbers are inconsistent. Data consistent with the calculator dates back most accurately from 2007 onwards. We use precise actual fuel consumption numbers and emissions data for all scope 1 and scope 2 emissions sources. At the time, 2007 was also the recommended baseline year for signatories to the ACUPCC (including UConn's President in 2008).
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 11,921 | 11,307 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 19 | 26 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 8 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 21,410 | 18,602 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 4,340 | 4,604.70 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 636 | 395 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 21,820.50 | 19,950.03 |
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 | 4.96 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 6.60 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 | 824,103.74 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 15,647.51 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 323,460.84 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:
• Class III Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated by UConn’s Co-Generation Facility, sold to finance energy efficiency projects across campus generates approximately $2M annually
• 312 re-lamping projects completed for almost $1.5 per year savings in energy costs and 11,500 metric tons eCO2 avoided (ongoing)
• 23 retro-commissioning projects completed for $1.6 million per year savings in energy costs and almost 12,000 metric tons eCO2 avoided
• LEED Gold certification requirement for all new building and renovations over $5 million
• Several other Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) projects optimizing heating and cooling in buildings for over $700,000 in annual cost savings and around 5,400 metric tons eCO2 avoided
• Long-term electricity purchasing agreement with ConEd Solutions and Direct Energy for 100% of purchased electricity comprised of renewable energy
• Replacement of leaking steam system sections of distribution and condensate return pipes (approx. 5,000 linear ft. per summer since 2016), has reduced fuel consumption and GHG emissions from generating steam
• Agricultural/organic waste composting facility operating at maximum load of 800 metric tons per year
• 460 kW fuel cell and a total of approximately 45 kW in four separate rooftop solar arrays, three providing electricity (PV) and one providing thermal energy for hot water
• Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge pledge signed: 54 active EV charging ports at 11 separate locations on the Storrs Campus with an expanding EV fleet
• Hybrids and EVs are purchased to replace gasoline light duty vehicles whenever they are retired.
• Annual EcoMadness energy and water use reduction competition in residence halls
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.