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, waste disposal, and recycling.

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 183,895 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2E) in FY17-18. These greenhouse gas emissions were split between Scopes 1, 2, and 3 – 41%, 25%, and 33%, 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. Compared to the CY16 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions footprint calculation, FY17-18 footprint shows a slight overall increase of ~ 9,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2E). However, VU’s GHG emissions per gross square foot has dropped by 12% compared to CY16, which is a very positive trend. Because it is important to address emissions from all sources, 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 four 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, a BlueSky Vision Energy Strategy Study, a Zero Waste Study, and a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) 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 2017 with the formation of an advisory committee and will result in a recommended strategy in 2018.

The BlueSky Vision Energy Strategy Study also began in 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 2019.

Emissions From POWER CONSUMPTION

Vanderbilt’s on-campus Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant produces 28% percent of the electricity, all of the steam, and a portion 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 72% 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 are 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 confirmation that a building is environmentally responsible. LEED projects earn points across nine 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 18 LEED certified projects and was the first university in Tennessee to earn LEED certification. The university is pursuing LEED certification on 5 buildings that were recently completed or are under construction.

EMISSIONS SUMMARY

Vanderbilt is a major employer in Nashville. The university consists of more than 6,000 faculty and staff, is home to nearly 7,000 undergraduate students, and is the place of study for an additional 5,700 graduate and professional students. Combined, Vanderbilt’s commuting population is 12,612, which contributes 42,383 MTCO2E to the University’s carbon footprint, or 75% of transportation emissions. Air travel for faculty and staff accounts for another 14,243 MTCO2E, or 25% of transportation emissions. Transportation emissions are 30% of Vanderbilt’s overall 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.

STRATEGIC PLAN

Issues of mobility and transportation are paramount to the sustainable future of Vanderbilt University, especially within the context of the unprecedented growth happening in the city. One hundred people are moving to Nashville every day, significantly increasing traffic on roadways. 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 parking and 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 transportation consultants, Kimley Horn and Associates, is currently underway. Vanderbilt has improved alternative transportation options and connectivity across campus with a new bike share program, pedestrian improvements, and a Vandy Van bus shelter. Vanderbilt also participated for the first time in Nashville’s Park(ing) Day, which serves to draw attention to the use of public space in urban areas by temporarily turning parking spaces into parks and parklets. Vanderbilt transformed 17 parking spaces into an interactive parklet that featured games and activities throughout the day in a relaxing environment that included landscaping, hammocks and a water feature and was awarded the “Wow Factor” award, placed second for the “People’s Choice” award, and third in the “Text to Vote” category.

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 construction and demolition debris, toner cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, scrap metal, and electronics. Additionally, the ReUse program that started in 2016 sustainably manages unneeded furniture and equipment owned by Vanderbilt University departments and laboratories. Vanderbilt also launched a composting program in 2017 to manage food waste from dining operations on campus.

These efforts are creating major environmental impacts. Recycling between 2007 and 2017 increased almost 42-fold from 250,000 pounds to 10,432,000 pounds, with a diversion rate for the University of 47% in 2017.

RECYCLING STREAMS

In 2017, Vanderbilt University generated 5,806 tons of waste and 5,216 tons of recycling. Waste disposal accounts for 4,683 MTCO2E from Vanderbilt or about 3% of our total emissions.

Vanderbilt’s 5,216 tons of recycling are broken down into specific streams below.

Waste generated at Vanderbilt that is not recycled is sent to landfill. With landfill gas capture technology, 69% 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, that figure shrank to 742 million gallons, and in FY17-18, that figure was a mere 298 million gallons, an 81% reduction in 11 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.

Vanderbilt was named a Top 50 Green College this year by the Princeton Review, ranked 21st on the list with a 98/99 Green Rating. The schools on the Top 50 Green Colleges list share superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus. Princeton Review chose the Top 50 Green Colleges for 2018 based on a combination of school-reported data and student opinion, collected in 2018–2019 via institutional and student surveys.

Green Rating scores are based on institutional data obtained from school administrators. Our 10 survey questions cover these key factors:

• Whether students have a quality of life on campus that is both healthy and sustainable
• How well a school is preparing students for employment in an increasingly green economy
• How environmentally responsible a school’s policies are

Student survey responses included student ratings of how sustainability issues influenced their education and life on campus; administration and student support for environmental awareness and conservation efforts; and the visibility and impact of student environmental groups.

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.