sustainability metrics 101
DESCRIPTION
Do you understand your campus carbon inventory? Do you track and benchmark other sustainability metrics? In this month’s webinar, Sightlines experts will explore the fundamentals of campus sustainability metrics, including typical performance levels and carbon inventories for various institution categories. In a forum of peers, learn ways to establish and evaluate success in campus sustainability with the most relevant metrics, ask questions, and share your own experiences.TRANSCRIPT
© Sightlines 2010
Jeff MurphyManager of Go-Green Services Sightlines, LLC
Sustainability Metrics 101
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Common Vocabulary, Consistent Methodology and Benchmarking for Context
Sightlines – Who we are & what we doNearly 350 Member campuses in 40 states and the District of Columbia
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Education:Preparing
future leaders
Microcosm:Scalable
technologies and solutions
Bottom Line:Reducing emissions
lowers operating
costs
Higher education’s unique role in sustainability
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What research shows - CMU
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The 5 steps to benchmarking
Consistency
Accuracy
NormalizationPeer Group
Context
Compare with Confidence
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Collect a consistent set of GHGs
Scope 1 –Direct GHGs
•On-Campus Stationary (Fossil Fuels)
•Vehicle Fleet
•Agriculture
•Refrigerants
Scope 2 –Upstream GHGs
•Purchased Electricity
•Purchased Steam
•Purchased Chilled Water
Scope 3 –Indirect GHGs
•Employee/ Student Commuting
•Directly Financed Air Travel
•Study Abroad Travel
•Other Travel
•Solid Waste
•Wastewater
•Paper
•Transmission & Distribution Losses
60-80% of a “typical” campus’ GHGs are from energy6
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The 5 steps to benchmarking
Consistency
Accuracy
NormalizationPeer Group
Context
Compare with Confidence
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Through our GHG validation work…
Most common errors include:•Unit conversions (CCF to MMBTU; $ to miles; etc.)
•Purchased utilities (using local provider mix)
•Scope 3 sources (unsure how to collect the correct data)
GHG Inventory Data
These errors occur most commonly when inventory is:•Completed sporadically
•Faced with imminent deadlines (ACUPCC reporting)
•By students with insufficient oversight and experience8
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The real value of accuracy
Consistent & Accurate Profiles Enable:•Benchmarking for context and knowledge – the “why”
•Informed strategic decisions that:•Address real exposures and opportunities•Save money•Save time•Make a lasting impact
•Longitudinal tracking of accurate progress
Inconsistent & Inaccurate Profiles Lead To:•Inaccurate benchmarks with misleading information
•Un-informed strategic decisions that:•Miss opportunities•Waste money•Waste time•Are less impactful
•The in-ability to accurately track progress
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The 5 steps to benchmarking
Consistency
Accuracy
NormalizationPeer Group
Context
Compare with Confidence
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Framing GHG performance
Intensity
Gross GHGsTotal GSF
X 1,000
Efficiency
Gross GHGsTotal Student FTE
Momentum
Current GHGs – Baseline* GHGs
Baseline* GHGs
Vs.
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Database Average - Gross:16 MTCDE/1,000 GSF
Database Average - Gross:7 MTCDE/Student
Database Average - Gross:5% Growth in GHGs
*Database baseline set at FY2007
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The 5 steps to benchmarking
Consistency
Accuracy
NormalizationPeer Group
Context
Compare with Confidence
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Selecting the right peer group for you
What makes your campus different?
•Size & Mechanical Complexity
Database Average
MTC
DE
/ 1,0
00 G
SF
Campus SizeLarger schools tend to have
increased levels of research, more complex HVAC requirements, and
larger distribution networks.
Campus Size Categories (GSF)
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Selecting the right peer group for you
What makes your campus different?
•Size & Mechanical Complexity
•Climate Zone
Climate Zone 1
Climate Zone 2
Climate Zone 3
Climate Zone 4
Climate Zone 5
MTC
DE
/ 1,0
00 G
SF
Climate Zones
Database Average
Climate ZoneSchools with extreme climates – hot or cold – tend to use more energy
and therefore generate more GHGs
Zone 3 schools are located in traditional “Coal States”
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Selecting the right peer group for you
What makes your campus different?
•Size & Mechanical Complexity
•Climate Zone
•Student Density Database Average
Student Density: # of students per 100K GSFM
TCD
E/ S
tude
nt (F
TE)
Student Density Categories
Student DensitySchools with high Student Density
have more FTEs to divide their building GHGs over and therefore have lower emissions per student
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Selecting the right peer group for you
What makes your campus different?
•Size & Mechanical Complexity
•Climate Zone
•Student Density
Other considerations:
•Carnegie Class
•% Commuter Students
Database Average
Student Density: # of students per 100K GSFM
TCD
E/ S
tude
nt (F
TE)
Student Density Categories
Student DensitySchools with high Student Density
have more FTEs to divide their building GHGs over and therefore have lower emissions per student
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The 5 steps to benchmarking
Consistency
Accuracy
NormalizationPeer Group
Context
Compare with Confidence
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Metrics for campus sustainability – driversUtilize families of metrics to evaluate performance over time
Older Buildings that have been gut
renovated
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Sample U Sample U
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Metrics for campus sustainability – drivers
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Metrics for campus sustainability – reinvestment
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Metrics for campus sustainability – reinvestment
20%
28%
7%
33%
12%
Sample University 8‐Year Spending
Building Envelope Building Systems Infrastructure
Space Renewal Safety/Code21
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Metrics for campus sustainability – traditional
Electricity22
Fossil Fuel
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Metrics for campus sustainability–beyond carbon
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0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1A C
Sam
ple
U G I K M O Q S U W Y AA CC EE GG II
KK MM
OO
Tons
/Stu
dent
Total Waste (per Student)
Compost Recycling Landfill/Incinerated 23
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Metrics for campus sustainability–beyond carbon
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
A CSa
mpl
e U G I K M O Q S U W Y AA CC EE GG II
KK MM
OO
%
Total Water Distribution
Coming Soon…
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Applying these lessons to your campus
1. Collect and qualify consistent & accurate sustainability data
2. Create peer groups to benchmark performance over time
3. Contextualize performance by utilizing a family metrics
4. Consider broad institutional drivers and outputs to move beyond a carbon inventory
25From Analytics… …To Action