Inventory Overview
The Office of Sustainability oversees the annual greenhouse gas inventory, which is completed on the fiscal year cycle. ¶¶Òõ̽̽ has been measuring and publicly reporting greenhouse gas emissions since 2007. While there have been significant emissions reductions since then, the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan outlines strategies to achieve carbon neutrality.
The inventory process represents collaboration with many stakeholders across campus to ensure accurate data collection and analysis. Once all relevant data is collected, our emissions are calculated utilizing SIMAP, a powerful tool developed by our peers at the University of New Hampshire. ¶¶Òõ̽̽'s annual emissions are also reported through the as part of our commitment to the Climate Leadership Network.
Emissions Trends
Below you can view emissions trends over time for each category that ¶¶Òõ̽̽ measures annually. The model allows filtering by scope (described below) and the second page shows emissions trends compared to campus growth since 2007. For the best user experience, open the model in a new window.
Scope 1
This category includes direct emissions such as:
On-campus stationary emissions from natural gas, oil, and propane consumption.
This category represents our largest source of emissions, primarily from the Main Campus District Energy Plant which heats approximately 75 campus buildings and cools approximately 32 buildings. Decarbonizing our campus buildings is a top priority laid out in the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.
Mobile emissions from our campus fleet vehicles, shuttle buses, and grounds equipment.
There are numerous ongoing strategies to reduce emissions from this category. This includes fleet vehicle sharing, electric fleet vehicles with fleet specific charging, and uptake of electric grounds equipment.
Fugitive emissions from refrigerants.
Unintended gas leaks from the processing, transmission, and/or transportation of refrigerants. This will be included beginning with the FY24 inventory.
- Animals and Fertilizers
Scope 2
This category includes:
Purchased electricity from Burlington Electric Department (BED) and Green Mountain Power (GMP)
¶¶Òõ̽̽'s Scope 2 emissions have been carbon neutral since 2015. From 2015 to 2020, ¶¶Òõ̽̽ purchased Green-e certified renewable energy certificates (RECs) to cover all purchased electricity. Beginning in 2021, ¶¶Òõ̽̽ began using supplier-specific emissions factors rather than regional, which is best practice for scope 2 according to the . BED and GMP are both carbon neutral, therefore ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s Scope 2 emissions are carbon neutral using this methodology. Although this is best practice for institutional carbon accounting, ¶¶Òõ̽̽ uses regional emissions factors to estimate impacts of implementing energy efficiency measures to better understand the reductions that are possible.
Scope 3
Scope 3 includes many subcategories. These are the subcategories that ¶¶Òõ̽̽ currently measures and reports on:
- Paper Purchasing
Waste Generated in Operations
This includes wastewater and solid landfilled waste.
Business Travel
This includes student study abroad air travel. It also includes air travel for university business such as conferences, trainings, student group travel such as Student Government Association and athletic teams, and mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use for business purposes.
Commuting (Staff, Faculty, Students)
This data is estimated using results from the annual CATMA survey and includes modes such as internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles, carpooling, bus, and telework.
Scope 2 Transmission & Distribution Losses
These are indirect emissions associated with the loss of electricity during its transmission and distribution from the point of generation to the end-user.