CARBON FOOTPRINT ASSESSMENT AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

Abstract

In the past decade, many universities have started to ascertain their emissions and benchmark their progress towards sustainability and climate control. The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is no exception in working toward the goal of carbon neutrality. While UTA continues to grow and transform, its goal is to simultaneously reduce energy intensity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To this end, the Office of Sustainability is maintaining a carbon inventory for each year to track GHG emissions and provide information to guide reduction strategies. The primary objectives of this research were: 1. To update UTA’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory to include 2017-2019, 2. To suggest short-term and long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, The inventory was conducted using SIMAP (Sustainability Indicator Management and Analysis Platform), offered by The Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire. Data on the University’s major carbon-emitting activities were gathered, and total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were calculated from three sources: building energy use, transportation fuel consumption, waste (including food waste). For the first time, GHG emissions due to water usage at UTA were estimated. Also for the first time, Scope 3 emissions (emissions due to student, staff, and faculty commuting) were estimated for UTA. The University’s total 2018-2019 emissions were estimated at 101,319 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (“MTCO2e”). This is equivalent to 0.01384 MTCO2e per gross square foot Gross Square Foot (GSF) and 2.03 MTCO2e per full-time equivalent (FTE) student. UTA emissions decreased from 2017 to 2019, despite increased student enrollment and a 7% increase in building area. Although UTA electricity consumption increased during this period, emissions from electricity decreased due to reduced coal generation and increased wind power. In addition, emissions from commuting decreased due to a 9% increase in online enrollment, coupled with a 6% decrease in on-campus enrollment. The study also examined several potential methods of reducing the carbon footprint of the university. • Solar power output for UTA’s rooftops was assessed with the help of Helioscope a solar panel design tool. It was found that solar panel placements at 14 major UTA building rooftops will yield a power output of 4659 MWh, which will offset UTA’s Scope 2 (purchased electricity) emissions by 6.37%. • GHG emission reduction due to afforestation at UTA was estimated with the help of I-canopy (a software to determine the reductions in GHG emissions due to afforestation). It was found that about 23.9% of UTA’s campus is covered with trees, which absorb 467 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Traditional air pollutants are also removed, providing an estimated $10,000 benefits. UTA’s trees also provide benefits of almost $9000 per year in terms of avoided runoff.