Greenhouse gas emissions are generally categorized into three “scopes.” Scope 1 consists of emissions resulting from on-campus activities that we have direct control over and includes combustion at Abbott Power Plant, fleet emissions, and agricultural emissions. Scope 2 consists of emissions resulting from purchased electricity, which we have a moderate degree of control over. For example, we could reduce Scope 2 emissions by entering into power purchase agreements with low-carbon energy sources such as wind farms, biomass power plants, or nuclear power plants. Scope 3 consists of other emissions that occur off campus as a result of campus activities; these include commuting, air travel, solid waste, and the effects of purchasing goods and services.

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment collects detailed usage information from Facilities & Services, the College of ACES, and other relevant campus stakeholders. The information is then input to the online carbon calculator program called SIMAP, and the results are shared directly with Second Nature.

This metric is the gross emissions total (gross MTCDE), as reported to Second Nature, via SIMAP and available online at https://unhsimap.org/public/emissions?. SIMAP periodically updates the emission factors used to calculate these totals. The totals for all years are adjusted to reflect the most updated emission factors. The totals listed below have been updated to reflect the 2024 SIMAP update to emission factors.