Greenhouse Gas Inventory | Office of Sustainability | The University of Vermont(title)

The University of Vermont has set ambitious goals to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 in the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan. The annual greenhouse gas inventory tracks progress towards these goals, shows emissions trends over time, and complies with UVM's Carbon Commitment to Second Nature.

Inventory Overview

The Office of Sustainability oversees the annual greenhouse gas inventory, which is completed on the fiscal year cycle. 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. UVM's annual emissions are reported through the SIMAP public reporting tool as part of our commitment to the Second Nature Climate Leadership Network. 

Emissions Trends

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UVM has been measuring and publicly reporting greenhouse gas emissions since 2007. While there have been significant emissions reductions since then, there is a lot of work to be done to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The Comprehensive Sustainability Plan explores the strategies that have been identified to work towards a carbon neutral future for our campus operations. 

Scope 1 - Direct Emissions

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This category includes: 

  • On-campus stationary emissions from natural gas, oil, and propane consumption. 
  • Mobile emissions from our campus fleet vehicles and grounds equipment. 
  • Fugitive emissions from refrigerants.

Scope 2 - Purchased Electricity

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This category includes:

  • Purchased electricity from Burlington Electric Department and Green Mountain Power

UVM's Scope 2 Emissions have been carbon neutral since 2015. 

UVM purchases electricity from two utilities with highly renewable grid mixes. To cover the non-renewable portion of purchased electricity, UVM has purchased green-e certified renewable energy certificates (RECs), entered into on-site solar power purchase agreements, and installed UVM-owned solar arrays. 

 

Scope 3

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Scope 3 includes many subcategories. These are the subcategories that UVM currently measures and reports on:

  • Paper Purchasing
  • Waste Generated in Operations
  • Business Travel (Directly Financed Travel)
  • Commuting (Staff, Faculty, Students)
  • Scope 2 Transmission & Distribution Losses