| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.07 |
| Liaison | Breeana Sylvas |
| Submission Date | Feb. 25, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of California, Merced
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.42 / 10.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Does the institution's GHG emissions inventory include all Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions?:
Yes
None
Does the institution's GHG emissions inventory include all Scope 3 GHG emissions from any of the following categories?:
| Yes or No | |
| Business travel | Yes |
| Commuting | Yes |
| Purchased goods and services | Yes |
| Capital goods | No |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | No |
| Waste generated in operations | No |
None
Does the institution's GHG emissions inventory include Scope 3 emissions from other categories?:
No
None
A brief description of the methodology and/or tool used to complete the GHG emissions inventory:
All emissions are reported to the Climate Registry Information System (CRIS). CRIS and epa.gov provide up-to-date emission factors for each emission source. Emissions are calculated using utility usage, transportation, and travel data.
Additionally, Performance date for reporting OP 1 is January 1, 2014 thru December 31, 2014. This date differs from the performance date for OP 22 which is July 1, 2014 thru June 30, 2015. This is primarily due to the baseline date developed for both OP 1, and OP 22 differing. Figures reported for both residential students and enrollment are reflective of records at the time of the performance dates. These values may differ from reported IC 2 and IC 3 figures, which report to-date actuals for enrollment and residential students.
Date Revised: March 11, 2016
None
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?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the internal and/or external verification process:
Third party verification of our emissions is a priority for our campus. Our goal was first realized in 2009 and we have since undergone verification twice. The most recent emissions years that have been verified are 2012 and 2013 by Ruby Canyon Engineering (RCE). Data was collected and sent to our verifier through an iterative process until all verification requirements are met.
None
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 3,304 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 2,157 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 930 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 1,209 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 5,705 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 5,409 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 2 GHG emissions from other sources | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
None
Figures needed to determine total carbon offsets::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| 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 |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
None
A brief description of the institution-catalyzed carbon offsets program:
---
None
A brief description of the carbon sequestration program and reporting protocol used:
---
None
A brief description of the composting and carbon storage program:
Composting bins are provided in all of the buildings throughout campus for food waste. The waste is then removed to be sorted through again into a compost roll off. Yard waste in the form of grass clippings, tree branches, and other materials is taken to a separate roll off. Both roll offs are taken off campus by third parties to be composted.
None
A brief description of the purchased carbon offsets, including third party verifier(s) and contract timeframes:
---
None
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 2,315 | 2,295 |
| Number of residential employees | 0 | 0 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 6,431 | 6,375 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,252.60 | 1,145.70 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 0 | 0 |
None
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | Jan. 1, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
None
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
Most recent emission year that has been third-party verified. This baseline most accurately represents current state of campus in terms of GSF and enrollment.
None
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
1,680,659
Square feet
None
Floor area of energy intensive building space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 80,476 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 1,033 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 2,060 Square feet |
None
Scope 3 GHG emissions, performance year::
| Emissions | |
| Business travel | 1,248 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Commuting | 3,885 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 | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other categories (please specify below) | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
None
A brief description of the sources included in Scope 3 GHG emissions from "other categories":
---
None
A copy of the most recent GHG emissions inventory:
---
None
The website URL where the GHG emissions inventory is posted:
None
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
An event known as the “Cool Campus Challenge” was an online learning experience and competition in 2015 between UC campuses running for about two months. It was designed to motivate and reward staff, faculty and students who take steps to reduce their carbon footprints and help the UC system reach Carbon Neutrality by 2025. The UC Merced Powersave Program is a campus group consisting of student interns and volunteers that develop and implement programs and events associated with water conservation, energy efficiency, green workforce development and academic outreach. In recent years, water conservation has become a priority, as a result we have made significant progress in reducing our irrigation water usage as well as sewer with events such as the Water Battle. The Water Battle is a month-long water conservation competition among the nine residence halls at UC Merced. Students reduced their water consumption by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet when brushing their teeth, and flushing the toilet only when needed. Water reduction results in a reduction in pumping, which in turn reduces power needed to operate said pump which ultimately saves electricity and reduces emission.
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Baseline data is provided for 2013. The performance year is 2014.
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.