GHG Emission Sources

Vanderbilt reports greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all major sources.

• Scope 1: The most significant source of Scope 1 emissions is natural gas use at the on-campus power plant and in individual buildings. Additional Scope 1 emissions include fleet vehicles, diesel use at the power plant, emergency generators, anesthetic gas use, and refrigerant releases.
• Scope 2: Scope 2 emissions are entirely purchased electricity from Nashville Electric Service (NES).
• Scope 3: Scope 3 emissions at Vanderbilt include faculty, staff, and student commuting, air travel, and waste disposal.

More information related to Scope 1 and 2 emissions can be found in the Energy section of this report. Details related to Scope 3 emissions can be found in the Transportation and Waste sections of this report.

GHG Emission Scopes

Vanderbilt University emitted 174,470 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2E) in 2016. These greenhouse gas emissions were split relatively equally between Scopes 1, 2, and 3 at 31%, 33%, and 36%, respectively. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources that are controlled by Vanderbilt, such as combustion of natural gas in the on-campus power plant. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased electricity. Scope 3 emissions are not directly controlled by Vanderbilt but are associated with Vanderbilt, such as employee commuting, air travel, and waste disposal. Because Vanderbilt’s emissions profile is split equally between Scopes 1, 2, and 3, the University attempts to diversify our efforts to reduce emissions across all three Scopes.

Next Steps

Sustainability is a key theme of the FutureVU Guiding Principles for land use planning. As part of FutureVU, Atelier Ten, an external consulting group, prepared a GHG emissions forecast, which outlined potential targets and scenarios for the University to reach significant reductions in GHG emissions by 2050. Vanderbilt has launched two comprehensive operational studies to further expand on the reduction recommendations and aid in the development of solutions that result in a significant reduction in the University’s environmental impact. These studies include a large-scale Renewable Energy Study and a BlueSky Vision Energy Strategy Study.

The large-scale Renewable Energy Study evaluates the potential for Vanderbilt to use renewable energy as part of its power portfolio. This study kicked off in September 2017 with the formation of an advisory committee and will result in a recommended strategy by February 2018.

The BlueSky Vision Energy Strategy Study began in November 2017 with the formation of an advisory committee. This study will identify major potential opportunities to reduce Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint and improve central campus land use within the University’s on-campus energy production, distribution and consumption infrastructure and behavior. It will culminate in a “BlueSky Vision” for campus energy in 2018.

Emissions From POWER CONSUMPTION

Vanderbilt’s on-campus Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant produces 21% percent of the electricity, all of the steam, and 40% of the chilled water consumed by the Vanderbilt community. This plant uses primarily natural gas, with diesel as backup emergency fuel, to produce electricity, steam, and chilled water. In November 2014, the conversion of the power plant from coal to natural gas was completed. The conversion increased operational efficiency while also contributing significant environmental benefits such as reductions in both greenhouse gases and other hazardous air pollutants, such as mercury. The remaining 79% of electricity needed to power Vanderbilt’s campus is purchased from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) through Nashville Electric Service (NES).

LEED

Vanderbilt has a long history of building with sustainable and green features, which helps our buildings be more efficient and last longer. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. This third party certification is recognized as proof that a building is environmentally responsible. LEED projects earn points across nine basic categories: integrative process, location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priority.

Vanderbilt University has a total of 17 LEED certified projects and was the first university in Tennessee to earn LEED certification.

NEXT STEPS

Issues of mobility and transportation are paramount to the sustainable future of Vanderbilt University, especially within the context of the unprecedented growth happening in our city. One hundred twenty people move to Nashville every day, significantly increasing traffic on our roads. Additionally, a recent analysis of staff income versus distance from campus indicated that VU staff in the lowest pay bracket live the furthest from campus, exacerbating the mobility situation further. In close alignment with the FutureVU Guiding Principles, VU’s new land use plan calls for diversification of transportation options, prioritization of pedestrian and bicycle mobility, mass transit, and improved accessibility. Foundational principles also include regular evaluation of how traffic interacts within and around the campus boundaries, and reducing rather than adding to the number of roadways.

Vanderbilt also aims to enhance connectivity by integrating pedestrian and bicycle circulation, providing mobility paths that integrate with campus landscape and architecture, reducing vehicular through-campus traffic, relocating existing parking to the perimeter of campus, and promoting safety on campus.

The preparation of a comprehensive transportation strategy, based on recommendations from the Wond’ry working groups, Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG) proposal, FutureVU Faculty Advisory Committee, and land use consultants is currently underway. Common themes that emerged from all FutureVU planning efforts are shown below:

EMISSIONS SUMMARY

Vanderbilt is a major employer in Nashville. The university consists of more than 8,500 faculty and staff, is home to nearly 7,000 undergraduate students, and is the place of study for an additional 5,600 graduate and professional students. Combined, Vanderbilt’s commuting population is 12,325, which contributes 51,327 MTCO2E to the University’s carbon footprint, or 82% of transportation emissions. Air travel for faculty and staff accounts for another 11,332 MTCO2E, or 18% of transportation emissions.

For Vanderbilt’s efforts to offer alternative transportation programs for employees and students, the University received the 2016 Sustainable Transportation Award presented jointly by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). The Sustainable Transportation Awards recognize outstanding initiatives within the State of Tennessee to reduce transportation-related energy usage and emissions, in line with an overarching effort to save natural resources, improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans, and create efficiencies in the delivery of goods and services.

Vanderbilt has a 20-year history of recycling efforts to reduce waste going to landfills. In addition to traditional recycling programs for materials such as paper, plastic, cardboard, and glass, Vanderbilt has recycling programs for non-traditional materials like toner cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, scrap metal, and electronics. Additionally, the new ReUse program was started in 2016 that sustainably manages unneeded furniture and equipment owned by Vanderbilt University departments and laboratories.

These efforts are creating major environmental impacts. Recycling between 2007 and 2016 increased 15-fold from 250,000 pounds to 3,900,000 pounds, and the diversion rate for the University grew to 62% in 2016, an all-time high.

RECYCLING STREAMS

In 2016, Vanderbilt University generated 7,100 tons of waste and 2,140 tons of recycling, not including construction and demolition recycling. Waste disposal accounts for 821 MTCO2E from Vanderbilt or about 0.5% of our total emissions.

Vanderbilt’s 2,140 tons of recycling are broken down into specific streams below.

Waste that is generated at Vanderbilt is sent to landfill. With landfill gas capture technology, 63% of the landfill gas (methane) produced is reused to generate electricity.

POTABLE V. NON-POTABLE

Water conservation not only reduces the amount of water used but also reduces the energy needed to treat, pump, and deliver water throughout campus. Water conservation also reduces environmental pressures on our watersheds. Vanderbilt has made great strides in reducing water use on campus by instituting groundwater and stormwater reuse and installing 3,500 water conserving fixtures across campus.

These efforts have made a massive impact on the university’s water usage. In 2006-2007, Vanderbilt used over 1.5 billion gallons of water. In 2010, Vanderbilt shrunk usage to 742 million gallons and then to 255 million gallons in 2016-2017, an 82% reduction in 10 years.

Vanderbilt is exploring a Sustainable Purchasing Policy that establishes standards for the purchase of goods and services consumed by the University with the goals of:

1. Reducing the environmental footprint of the University’s operations
2. Leveraging Vanderbilt University’s purchasing power to encourage transparency and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices within product industries
3. Influencing generations of environmentally conscious product users through educational programs and by example

If two products are competitive in performance characteristics and pricing, the University will favor the environmentally preferable product or supplier. For example, Vanderbilt’s Purchasing and Payment Services has worked closely with the University’s preferred office products, janitorial products, and laboratory products suppliers to provide more easily identified environmentally preferable product selections. These products are readily identifiable in eProcurement by a special symbol. Purchasing and Payment Services partners with suppliers that are committed to sustainability practices and offer the Vanderbilt community products like FSC recycled paper, remanufactured toner cartridges, and EnergyStar or EPEAT electronics.

The Sustainable Purchasing Policy will enable Vanderbilt to plan its future growth in balance with economic, environmental, and socially responsible values.

Campus engagement is a key component of the sustainability program at Vanderbilt. Below is a visual summary of our education and outreach across campus.

The Vanderbilt Green Fund (VGF) provides funding specifically to projects that are student-initiated and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions or improve the overall sustainability of the Vanderbilt University campus. VGF enables students, faculty, and administration to directly engage in the process of transitioning to a clean and sustainable energy future. Any student, faculty, or group associated with Vanderbilt University can propose a project for consideration.

The Office of Housing and Residential Education and Plant Operations make a combined annual input of $150,000 to the VGF. Green Fund proposals are first evaluated by a student committee that is organized jointly by VSG and SPEAR. Top proposals are recommended by the student committee to the Green Fund Working Group, which makes the final funding decisions. The Working Group is comprised of six administrators, six students, and one faculty member. To propose a project to VGF, complete this application.