Emissions

Overview

As one of its first steps in meeting the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, the Medical School conducted a campus-wide carbon footprint estimation study in 2007. Developed by ENSR a private consulting firm, the survey compares green house gas (GHG) emissions between FY 2003 and FY 2007. The inventory also establishes an important baseline from which to create an action plan for meeting the mandates set forth by the Massachusetts Executive Order 484, which commits all state agencies to greenhouse gas reduction targets of 25 percent by 2012, 40 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050.

Inventory Background

Emissions of GHGs (Co2, CH4 and N2O) from the Medical School and associated hospital were estimated for the following categories:

Direct sources:

• Natural gas combustion for heat, chilled water, and electricity production in the cogeneration plant
• Oil combustion for heat, chilled water and electricity production in the cogeneration plant
• Fuel used by the emergency generators at the School and Hospital
• Fuel used by vehicles owned by the School

Indirect sources:

• Electricity purchased from external utility company
• Employee and student commuting
• Hospital patient and visitor commuting
• Business air travel by students and staff

Using data provided by the UMMS, the emissions factors were determined using the calculation tools developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) as part of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative (GHG Protocol) in July 2005. The latter is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.ghgprotocol.org

Summary of Findings

The UMMS greenhouse gas summaries below reveal a trend from 2003 to 2007 toward burning more natural gas in the campus co-generation plant and less oil. In addition, more electricity was generated by the power plant, reducing the amount obtained from “the grid,” which produces electricity through higher-polluting coal combustion. Thus, while overall emissions increased for natural gas combustion, they decreased for oil combustion and externally-produced electricity. The study also reveals that student and employee commuting was the major contributor to the Medical School’s carbon footprint, accounting for 55 percent of total CO2 emissions in 2003 and 60 percent in 2007.

CO2 Emissions/Medical School (FY 2003):

Student and Staff Commuting – 55 percent
Natural Gas Combustion – 20 percent
Oil Combustion – 15 percent
Electricity Purchase – 10 percent
Emergency Generators - <0.1 percent
UMMS Owned Vehicles - <0.1 percent
Business Air Travel - <0.1 percent

CO2 Emissions/Medical School (FY 2007)

Student and Staff Commuting – 60 percent
Natural Gas Combustion – 24 percent
Oil Combustion – 7 percent
Electricity Purchase – 9 percent
Emergency Generators - <0.1 percent
UMMS Owned Vehicles - <0.1 percent
Business Air Travel - <0.1 percent

CO2 Emissions/Hospital (FY 2003)

Natural Gas Combustion – 35 percent
Patient and Visitor Commuting – 28 percent
Oil Combustion – 27 percent
Electricity Purchase – 10 percent
Emergency Generators - <0.1 percent
Business Air Travel - <0.1 percent

CO2 Emissions/Hospital (FY 2007)

Natural Gas Combustion – 47 percent
Patient and Visitor Commuting – 28 percent
Oil Combustion – 14 percent
Electricity Purchase – 11 percent
Emergency Generators - <0.1 percent
Business Air Travel - <0.1 percent

The University of Massachusetts Medical School is working towards reducing its carbon footprint by increasing the use of cleaner burning fuels at the co-generation plant, decreasing the amount of electricity purchased from external utilities, and exploring alternative sources of clean energy. To lower the emissions from commuters, the Medical School has programs to encourage and facilitate carpooling, as well as investigating additional strategies to reduce the transportation burden.