Clackamas Community College

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY

Baseline for 2005-2009

PREPARED BY TIM MAHER, SUSTAINABILIT Y COORDINATOR
Clackamas Community College
Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) are known to be causing an increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations well
above natural levels. According to overwhelming consensus from the international scientific community, this drastic increase in GHG concentra-
tions is likely responsible for global warming that is resulting in worldwide climate change. The implementation of a campus-wide GHG emissions
inventory is in line with the Mission Statement of Clackamas Community College (CCC) and the vision of the CCC Sustainability Committee. Study-
ing CCC’s emissions provides the opportunity to reduce those emissions and educate the college community and the county concerning the
significance of climate change.

INTRODUC TION
It is difficult to conceive of many human activities that do not in some way contribute to the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Whether
directly through combustion of fossil fuels in our vehicles or home heating furnaces, or indirectly through the production and transportation of
the products we use daily, almost everything we do releases emissions. The cumulative effect of these emissions is widely recognized as having
significant negative impacts on a local, national, and global scale.
While this report represents the most comprehensive effort to date to quantify GHG emissions for Clackamas Community College (CCC), there are
clear limitations involved. Accounting for all the aggregate emissions generated in our daily lives is a nearly impossible task, and there is no
current methodology for capturing the emissions associated with all the imported goods coming into a community. As such, the scope of this
inventory is limited to the major source categories of transportation, heating, energy generation, agriculture, refrigerants and chemicals, and
solid waste, which is consistent with inventories that other college communities have undertaken.
This baseline inventory is crucial for the allocation of future benefits based on immediate reductions. In coming years, GHG emissions are
likely to have a defined market value as determined by national legislation. The allocation of emissions rights will likely be based on proven emis-
sions reductions, a process which will rely on baseline inventories such as this. When seeking outside funding for climate change adaptation and
emissions reductions, a baseline inventory will be important for identifying CCC-specific needs.
I hope that in future years this baseline inventory will be refined continually and improved upon, and that it will serve as a tool for identifying
areas within CCC where emissions levels can be reduced.
ME THOD
Emissions throughout this report are expressed in tons of gas per year having a
warming effect equivalent to carbon dioxide, the most abundant and cumula-
tively important gas. The consistent unit is Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent
(MTeCO2). Greenhouse gas accounting procedures were determined using
internationally recognized protocols promulgated by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as followed by the Association for the Advance-
ment of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the American College and
University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), and the US Environmen-
tal Protection Agency (EPA).

Throughout the inventory process, the method for calculating emissions

involved the use of an outside inventory tool developed by Clean Air-Cool
Planet (CA-CP). There are numerous GHG inventory calculators available for
institutions to use, however CA-CP offers a campus GHG calculator, which is
tailored specifically for institutions of higher education. The CA-CP Campus
Carbon Calculator is recommended by AASHE as well as the ACUPCC. The CA-CP
Campus Carbon Calculator is an MS – Excel-based spreadsheet tool, and the
science behind this calculator is based on the conclusions and recommenda-
tions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The tool is
updated frequently, to address new scientific understandings of GHG emissions,
and is also the most widely used GHG inventory tool for institutions of higher
education.

International GHG protocol presents a useful accounting concept, called

scopes, that can help entities understand and structure decisions about opera-
tional boundaries, and can simultaneously help address the potential for
“double counting.” This approach defines three levels of responsibility for emis-
sions, and basically posits that an entity’s responsibility for emissions is directly
related to its control over, or ownership of, the sources of those emissions. For
example, I am more responsible for the emissions from gasoline used in my car
than the emissions from diesel in a bus I ride. It was my decision to buy a
gas-guzzler rather than a fuel-efficient vehicle, and only I determine how far or
frequently I drive. By contrast, I have no control over the fuel efficiency of
another entity’s busses, yet it was still my choice to outsource my transporta-
tion needs to them.

“Clean Air-Cool Planet Campus Carbon Calculator User’s Guide, Version 6, August 2008”
Clackamas Community College S copes laid out by the GHG protocol:
“Scope definitions created by Clean Air-Cool Planet Campus Carbon Calculator User’s Guide, Version 6, August 2008”

S cope 1
Direct emissions from sources that are owned and/or controlled by CCC. This includes combustion of fossil fuels in college owned facilities or
vehicles, fugitive emissions from refrigeration, and emissions from on-campus agriculture. CCC has complete control over these emissions, and
they are no-one else’s responsibility. For CCC, the following sources are included as scope 1 emissions:
On Campus Stationary Sources – emissions from all on-campus fuel combus tion (excluding vehicle fuels)
Direct Transportation Sources – Emissions from all fuel used in the institution’s fleet
Refrigeration and other Chemicals – Fugitive emissions (evaporation of greenhouse gases from liquid
refrigerant leaks in refrigerant systems) and other chemical leaks
Agriculture – N2O emissions from fertilizer use

S cope 2
Indirect emissions from sources that are neither owned nor operated by CCC but whose products are directly linked to on-campus energy
consumption. This includes purchased energy/electricity. Although CCC is not directly responsible for these emissions, it is strongly implicated.
These emissions come from converting energy sources that release greenhouse gas emissions when used (fossil fuels) to energy sources that do not
(electricity). Although CCC did not burn the coal to make the electricity that it uses, someone had to, and although the electricity producer emitted
the gasses, they did not use any of the energy produced. For CCC, the following source is included as scope 2 emissions:
Purchased Electricity – Emissions from the production of any electricity the college purchases

S cope 3
Other emissions attributed to CCC, deemed “optional” emissions by corporate inventories. This includes emissions from sources that are neither
owned nor operated by CCC but are either directly financed (i.e. commercial air travel paid for by the institution) or are otherwise linked to the
campus via influence or encouragement (i.e. air travel for study abroad programs, regular faculty, staff, and student commuting).
Solid Waste – Emissions from managing the college’s waste (incineration, landfilling, etc.)
Scope 2 T&D Losses – Emissions associated with the transmission and distribution losses of purchased electricity.
Directly Financed Outsourced Transportation – Emissions from travel that is paid for by the institution, but does not occur in fleet vehicles
(business trips in commercial aircraft, staff travel in personal vehicles where mileage is reimbursed, etc.) At the point of this baseline inventory, no
data has been recorded for this source of emissions, but future inventories will include air-travel.
Commuting – Emissions from regular commuting by faculty, staff, or students.

It is important to note that many of the quantities of GHG emissions reported here are estimates. It is not possible for this or any other institution
to measure GHG emissions with total accuracy given the number of sources and lack of perfect data.
SUMMARY OF CCC ’s GHG EMISSIONS

Clackamas Community College

TOTAL EMISSIONS
Baseline of total greenhouse gas emissions for Clackamas
Community College for fiscal years 2005-2009.
 SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS

Scope 1 emissions for CCC have been steadily declining for several years now. This is due largely in
part to energy efficiency measures enacted by talented engineers in the Facilities department. Due to
lack of records for Direct Transportation and Refrigerants in the year 2005, the total emissions for 2005 is
a low estimation. This places even more emphasis on overall emission reductions from efficiency
measures.

On Campus Stationary Sources – Emissions from the burning of natural gas for use in the boiler.
Efficiency measures have consistently decreased the amount of natural gas burned.

Direct Transportation – Emissions from the burning of fuel for fleet vehicles. No data existed for 2005.

Agriculture – Emissions from the use of fertilizer. In 2009, CCC opted to not fertilize the grounds,
reducing emissions by 63 MTeCO2.

Refrigerants and Chemicals – Fugitive emissions from refrigerant chemicals. Records began in 2007.
SCOPE 2 EMISSIONS

Scope 2 emissions for CCC have stayed relatively constant over the past few years, with a
notable increase beginning in 2007. Interestingly, this emissions increase is NOT due to an
increase in the amount of electricity purchased by CCC, but by a change in GHG accounting
protocol.

Purchased Electricity – Emissions from the generation of any electricity that the college
purchases. These emissions are calculated using US EPA’s eGRID system. The Emissions and
Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) is a comprehensive inventory of environ-
mental attributes of electric power systems. The preeminent source of air emissions data for
the electric power sector, eGRID is based on available plant specific data for all US electricity
generating plants that provide power to the electric grid and report data to the US govern-
ment. Every year, the EPA reviews and updates the methodologies of the eGRID system to
reflect the latest scientific understandings of GHG emissions, and in 2007 the eGRID system
received a major update. This update added several greenhouse gases to the database, as well
as improved the emission-coefficients and global warming potentials of known gases. As a
result of this eGRID update, many GHG inventories in the US saw a spike in Scope 2 emissions
for the year 2007; in line with this trend, CCCs Scope 2 emissions also spiked as of 2007.
SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS

Scope 3 emissions for CCC have been steadily increasing

over the past few years. This increase is largely due to the
record number of students enrolled at the college and their
commuting habits.

Student Commuting – Emissions from regular commuting

by students is by far the highest single source of emissions for
CCC. In 2009, emissions from student commuting accounted
for 62% of the school’s total emissions, and in every year
inventoried, emissions from student commuting are greater
than all other sources of emissions combined. Also, from 2005
through 2009, emissions from student commuting have risen
by 2,585 MTeCO2, while emissions from all other sources
combined have only risen by 150 MTeCO2 over the same time
period. Note: Student commuting information was estimated
using the limited amount of data available, and as more data
becomes available in the future, these estimations will be
fine-tuned. As per GHG accounting protocol, these numbers are
a conservative estimation and future analysis is likely to see
these numbers increase.
Employee Commuting – Emissions from regular commut-
ing by faculty and staff. Given the long history of the
Employee Commute Options (ECO) survey required by the
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the data
for employee commuting is much more accurate than the
estimations for student commuting.
Scope 2 T&D Losses – Emissions associated with the
transmission and distribution losses of purchased electricity
(which is a Scope 2 source). Roughly calculated as 9.8% of total
electricity purchased.
Solid Waste – Emissions associated with managing the
college’s waste. All of the college’s garbage is sent directly to a
landfill, where it releases methane (a GHG) as it decomposes
over time. Of course, the college’s recycling efforts over the last
several years have greatly contributed to limiting landfill
contributions and associated GHG emissions. Solid waste is
only responsible for 1-2% of the college’s emissions, and that
rate is falling due to continued recycling efforts. As a whole
though, solid waste emissions are fairly negligible compared
with other much larger sources.
.
RECOMMENDATIONS
An emissions inventory that identifies and quantifies an institution’s primary anthropogenic sources of
greenhouse gases is essential for addressing climate change. Before emissions can be reduced, they first
must be quantified. The purpose of this inventory is to provide a solid foundation for the future of GHG
reporting and reduction strategies at Clackamas Community College.

Repor ting Recommendations

In order to accurately gauge the success or failure of emission reduction strategies, it is imperative
Recommendations for GHG reduc tions
that the inventory is updated on an annual or biannual basis. In this and future years, record-keeping for all
In the context of climate change, all MTeCO2 are considered equal. Therefore,
emission sources must be maintained as complete and accurate. For this baseline inventory, records from
any reductions for any source will make an impact. However, the most efficient use of
several sources were incomplete and therefore the resulting emissions estimations used in this report are
planning and funding would be to focus emission reduction strategies on the largest
conservative and do not reflect the full extent to which CCC emits GHGs. For example:
sources. The graph below shows that student commuting is by far the largest source
Directly Financed Outsourced Transportation - Emissions from travel that is paid for by the institution,
of emissions at CCC.
but does not occur in fleet vehicles (business trips in commercial aircraft, staff travel in personal vehicles
Most importantly, I would like to recommend that CCC implement an institutional
where mileage is reimbursed, etc.) At the point of this baseline inventory, no data has been recorded for this
plan that explicitly states emission reduction goals on a long-term timeline. Ideally,
source of emissions, but future inventories will include air-travel.
this plan would outline specific reduction targets and strategies for achieving those
Refrigerants and other Chemicals – Limited records resulted in low estimations of fugitive emissions.
targets. This plan could be in the form of a Climate Action Plan, following the lead of
Student Commuting – Limited data resulted in low estimations of student commuting emissions. This
hundreds of other Colleges, or this plan could be part of a larger Sustainability Plan.
is a very significant hole, because student commuters account for the largest single source of emissions for
The framework for the plan is not nearly as important as ensuring that the plan
the college.
contains quantifiable goals with specific deadlines
Paper – Emissions associated with the production and transportation of paper-products that the
college purchases. At the point of this baseline inventory, no data has been recorded for this source of
emissions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Clackamas Community College

This inventory would not have been possible without the help and patience of numerous individual members of the college community.
Chris Robuck, Director of Business Services
Laura Zentner, Dir. Of Financial Services

Baseline for 2005-2009

Lacressia St. Clair, Purchasing Agent
Judy Redder, Curriculum and Reporting Operations Manager
Bill Leach, former Dean of Campus Services
Kirk Pearson, Dir. Of Campus Services
Hilmo Ljucevic, Manager/Plant Engineer, Campus Services
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY
Jeff Tapp, Plant Engineer, Campus Services
Rodney Osterhoudt, Plant Engineer, Campus Services
Debbie Mullins, Administrative Assistant for Campus Services
Tom Powell, Grounds, Campus Services
Mickey Yeager, Grounds, Campus Services
Martha Mitchell, Sustainability Coordinator, Campus Services
Courtney Wilton, VP and CFO of CCC
Joanne Truesdell, President of CCC
George Sims, EH&S Officer of CCC
Sara Simmons, HR
Elizabeth Cole, Business Services
Dean Walch, Web Developer, ITS
Elizabeth Howley, Dean of Horticulture
Chris Miskow, Lab Assistant, Horticulture
Bill Briare, Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Mindy Brown and ASG
Pam Bloom of BB Leasing
Janet Paulson, Public Information Officer
Carrie Kraten, Project Coordinator, Customized Training and Development
Ray Hoyt, Dir. Of Customized Training and Development
Major Account Service Team at NW Natural Gas

Sustainability Committee
College Council
President’s Council

Document Design by Sean P. Trani - www.seantrani.com

REFERENCES
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education - www.aashe.org" http://www.aashe.org

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment - www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/" http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/

Clean Air-Cool Planet - provided the toolkit for calculating all emission sources
www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/

US EPA - Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990 -2008

http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads10/US-GHG-Inventory-2010_Report.pdf