| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Christopher Williams |
| Submission Date | Feb. 16, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Delaware
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
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 | None |
| Commuting | Some |
| 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 | All |
| 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:
Direct data records were compiled for building energy use, UD owned fleet vehicles, organic waste outputs, and fertilizer used. Estimates were utilized to assess fuel consumption associated with commuting activities as was required for the 2007-2008 academic year GHG inventory. However, it was not practical to replicate the survey conducted during the 2007-2008 effort so the 2013-2014 commuting activity level was estimated by making adjustments the 2007-2008 value based on changes in student population, the number of parking permits issued, and national average fuel efficiency (see Appendix B for calculations.)
Emission factors for the combustion of natural gas, fuel oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel were obtained from the U.S. EPA Mandatory Reporting Rule for Greenhouse Gases (MRR), Table C-1, in keeping with the accounting methodology specified by The Climate Registry’s General Reporting Protocol (GRP). Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions associated with fuel combustion were considered in the 2013-2014 report.
Emission factors for purchased electricity, in keeping with GRP methodology, were derived from the U.S. EPA’s eGRID 9th Edition tables. UD is located within the RFC East Subregion, so the published GHG emission factors representing the fuel mix used in generating electricity in this region were used. Scope 3 transmission and distribution losses associated with purchased electricity were calculated based on the loss percentages published in the eGRID 9th Edition for the East region.
Scope 3 GHG emissions from the disposal of mixed waste, food waste, and food composting were calculated using emission factors obtained from the U.S. EPA WARM Model, version 13.
GHG emissions resulting from usage of nitrogen fertilizer were calculated with an emission factor derived from the U.S. EPA’s Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2001 (April 2003).
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:
Our GHG Inventory is produced by a third party contractor and validated by our Energy Manager.
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 | 40,105 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 36,656 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 2,327 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 2,811 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 65,850 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 71,665 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 | 108,282 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 111,132 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, 2013 | July 1, 2014 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2007 | July 1, 2008 |
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):
UD made a strong commitment to reducing GHG emissions in 2008 when we signed the Presidential Climate Commitment with the ACUPCC (now Second Nature). 2008 was chosen for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the information available at that time to determine our GHG emissions and strategize future reductions.
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):
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:
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions | 108,282 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 111,132 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 7,317 | 6,289 |
| 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 | 20,512 | 17,631 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 4,063 | 3,857 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,246 | 1,115 |
| Weighted campus users | 19,326 | 16,852 |
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 | 5.60 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 6.59 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 | 1,464,799 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 27,265 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 2,510,473 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 | 23 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Commuting | 31,904 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Purchased goods and services | --- |
| Capital goods | --- |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | 4,069 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Waste generated in operations | 1,253 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other categories | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
UD has committed to reducing GHG emissions by 20% from 2008 levels by 2020. However, due to a lack of personnel to coordinate and organize efforts around this goal, we have managed to complete only a handful of proposed projects in our Climate Action Plan. We have invested in energy efficient lighting, installed renewable energy at our Newark and Lewes campuses, and we have engaged students through our Green Grants program in sustainability projects on campus.
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:
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.