University of Southampton sustainability strategy: goal 1-2 data gaps: using the GHG Protocol to assess the known unknowns

Abstract

Overall: the University should clearly and publicly manage (and report) its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions according to the accepted GHG Protocol guidelines and use this as a basis for ongoing HESA reporting as required. This would enable the University to measure its profile and progress using current best practice and will prevent over- focus on the reporting categories required by HESA and will support the use of Science Based Targets in Goal 2 target setting.
Goal 1:
1. With the exception of emissions due to physical/chemical processes and fugitive emissions, the University currently has good data on its Scope 1 & 2 emissions.
2. The University needs to decide if it will follow the GHG Protocol on contractedrenewable electricity or be bound by HEFCA’s current guidelines. This is core tothe Goal 1 roadmap.
3. A review of more detailed data on Scope 1 & 2 emissions at the building level tounderpin potential solutions under the Goal 1 roadmap is recommended.
4. The University should consider how it might practically estimate and/or measureemissions due to physical/chemical processes and fugitive emissions under Scope 1.
Goal 2:
1. Scope 3 emissions are largely not reported or not known. Meeting Goal 2 will resolve this issue but the difficulty of estimating Scope 3 supply chain and commuting emissions should not be underestimated.
2. Adopting the GHG Protocol Scope 3 reporting categories for emissions management and public progress reporting purposes (as per Goal 1 for Scope 1 & 2) will ensure transparency, comparability and comprehensiveness.
3. Conducting a GHG Protocol Scope 3 category by category data audit would help to understand how data gaps can be filled to support Goal 2;
4. The University should decide whether:
o Emissions due to students traveling to/from their original place ofresidence to the University should be included and reported;
o Additional domestic emissions due to future home working/learningpolicies should be included and reported.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Ben Anderson: orcid.org/0000-0003-2092-4406

Catalogue record

Export record