CSU's greenhouse gas footprint

Updated September 2009

CSU began measuring greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 as part of the university's participation in the American College & University President's Climate Commitment. This inventory also helps the university community understand its impact on the environment. Facilities Management published these facts about CSU's GHG footprint.

What are greenhouse gases (GHGs)?
There are six recognized GHGs including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) and perfluorocarbons (PFC).

How are greenhouse gases measured?
Colorado State’s GHG footprint is a measure of the emissions that result from humans, animals, buildings, and equipment. When calculating carbon footprints, greenhouse gases are converted to metric tons of CO2 equivalent MTCO2E)by multiplying by their global warming potential. A greenhouse gas footprint is often called a carbon footprint because of this conversion.

Why are we trying to decrease our use of them?
Each of these gases traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere and contributes to global warming.


All CSU diesel vehicles began running on biodiesel in 2006, which reduces GHG emissions due to diesel use by 15 percent.

What was included in CSU’s carbon footprint?
CSU, as a land grant university, footprint includes activities on over 90,000 acres. All of the Colorado State campuses were included plus the agencies: Agricultural Extension, CO State Forest Service, and Cooperative Extension. More than 10 million gross square feet (GSF) of buildings were included in the inventory.

The breakdown of CSU’s FY09 carbon emissions:

  • Emissions from energy use — electricity, natural gas and propane — make up three-fourths of CSU’s total GHG emissions.
  • Total emissions for FY09 were almost 225,000 metric tons.
  • As a result of signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), the university was required to complete a comprehensive inventory of all GHG emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting, and airline travel) and update the inventory every other year thereafter. Categories of emissions are defined as scopes.
  • Scope one emissions are those that occur as a result of sources that are owned or controlled by the university (natural gas and propane, refrigerants, fleet transportation, agriculture).
  • The majority of CSU’s carbon emissions are scope two emissions, which are emissions generated in the production of electricity consumed by the university (electricity).
  • Scope three emissions are all other indirect emissions from sources not owned or controlled by the university (commuting, airline travel, solid waste).

An 18.9 kW solar array is installed on the roof of the Engineering Building in June. In August, a 12.1 kW solar array was installed on the thermal plant at the Academic Village. These two projects will reduce emissions by more than 30 metric tons per year.

What is carbon neutrality?
According to the ACUPCC, carbon neutrality means that CSU will have no net GHG emissions, achieved by reducing current emissions and using offsets or other means to negate remaining GHGs.

What is being done to reach carbon neutrality?

  • In June 2008, CSU signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) to develop a climate neutral plan by September 2010.
  • In 2004, CSU began offering students living on campus the option to buy renewable energy. More than 900 students have registered, saving more than 760,000 pounds of GHG emissions each year.
  • CSU installed Vending Misers in 2006 that turn off vending machines when the area is unoccupied for more than fifteen minutes, saving 115 tons of GHG emissions each year.
  • All CSU diesel vehicles began running on biodiesel in 2006, which reduces GHG emissions due to diesel use by 15 percent.
  • A biomass boiler was installed on the Foothills campus to produce hot water for building heat. This boiler will burn wood chips which have a nearly carbon neutral impact on the environment.
  • An 18.9 kW solar array was placed on the roof of the Engineering Building. A 12.1 kW solar array was installed on the thermal plant at the Academic Village. These two projects will reduce emissions by more than 30 metric tons per year.

CSU’s future climate action plan includes:

  • Continuing to pursue efficiency measures in existing buildings to reduce energy use and therefore GHG emissions.
  • Developing a solar array on top of the parking garage currently under construction.
  • Developing renewable energy as part of the overall strategy to reduce CSU’s carbon emissions.
  • Installation of “real time” utility meters on all residence halls to track energy use and encourage residents to compete with each other to reduce energy use while lowering emissions.
  • Developing projects regarding waste disposal, energy efficient buildings, planting trees, and transportation improvements.

Resources:

CSU Facilities Management: http://www.fm.colostate.edu/sustain/

Green is Gold Campaign: http://www.green.colostate.edu/gold/

EPA Carbon Calculator: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html