University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Fiscal Year 2025 Isabella Cicco
PhD Candidate, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Rafaela Goncalves de Almeida
Graduate Research Student, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Aurora Sharrard, PhD
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability, Office of Sustainability
Melissa M. Bilec, PhD
Co-Director, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation George M. & Eva M. Bevier Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
July 23, 2026
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus Greenhouse Gas Inventory Background
1
Pitt GHG Emissions Inventory History 1)
Past GHG Inventories • Fiscal Year 2008 - GHG Inventory Baseline Year • Fiscal Years 2011, 2014, & 2017 – Triennial inventories • Fiscal Years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024 – Annual inventories starting with Fiscal Year 2019 •
Fiscal Years 2020, 2021, & 2022 were impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic
• Lead Authors - Graduate Students, Civil & Environmental Engineering • Faculty Advisor - Melissa M. Bilec, PhD, Co-Director, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation George M. & Eva M. Endowed Chair, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Collaborations & Internal review by University Finance & Operations •
2)
FY19 forward - University Sustainability staff co-author.
University of Pittsburgh GHG Emissions Reduction Goals • 50% reduction by 2030 below Fiscal Year 2008 • Adopted in 2018
• Carbon neutrality by 2037 • Adopted in 2020 • Pitt Climate Action Plan published in 2022, being updated for 2027.
2
Acronyms Acronym
Definition
AASHE BBP CH4 CO2 CO2e COVID-19 CSSP FERA FTE FY GHG GWP LEED MMBTU MT CO2e Pitt REC SF SIMAP T&D
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Bellefield Boiler Plant (Pitt purchases steam from this off-campus facility) Methane Carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide equivalents Coronavirus disease 2019 Carrillo Street Steam Plant (Pitt makes steam at this on-campus facility) Fuel & Energy-Related Emissions Full Time Equivalent Fiscal Year Greenhouse Gas Global Warming Potential Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Million British thermal unit Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents University of Pittsburgh Renewable Energy Certificate (1 MWh) Square Feet Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform Transmission & Distribution 3
SIMAP: Inventory Data & Analysis • SIMAP (Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform) • User-friendly, all-in-one carbon and nitrogen-accounting tool designed for higher education campuses. • Affordable, online solution to track, analyze, & enhance sustainability efforts across the entire campus. • Algorithms grounded in Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards & backed by two decades of experience with the Campus Carbon Calculator, CarbonMAP, & Nitrogen Footprint Tool. • UNHsimap.org/home • Mission - To assist institutions, colleges, and universities in monitoring their environmental footprints, enabling them to achieve their sustainability goals efficiently & effectively. • Assists users in establishing a baseline, benchmarking performance, generating reports, setting goals, analyzing year-over-year progress, & accessing resources. • As a signatory Second Nature’s Climate Leadership Commitments & reflecting best practice in higher education GHG inventorying & benchmarking, the University of Pittsburgh uses SIMAP to publicly report our GHG emissions data.
GHG Emissions Categories
Electricity T&D Losses Fuel & Energy Related Activities (FERA) Food 5
Pittsburgh Campus Greenhouse Gas Inventory Fiscal Year 2025 RESULTS
Executive Summary: FY25 GHG Emissions • The University of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh campus FY25 GHG emissions were: • 167,192 MT CO2e • 2.6% decrease from FY24. • Notable decreases occurred in purchased electricity, transmission & distribution losses, along with refrigerants & chemicals, and fertilizers & animals. • Notable increases include on-campus & purchased steam, other on-campus stationary, directly financed & study abroad air travel, food, and FERA. • GHG emissions are 39% below Pitt’s FY08 baseline and on track to meet the University’s goal of 50% reduction by 2030.
7
GHG Inventory Overview FY25 300,000
YEAR-TO-YEAR Overview - By Scope
-1.8%
0%
-2.6% From FY24
-14.6%
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
250,000
-21.7%
-21.2%
-23.1%
-20%
-31.9% 200,000
-39.6%
-36.7%
-10%
-37.3%
-30% -38.8%
-40% 150,000
-50% -60%
100,000
-70% -80%
50,000
Percentage Variation Compared to FY08
0.0%
TOTAL SCOPE 1 (MT CO2e) (Direct Emissions) TOTAL SCOPE 2 (MT CO2e) (Indirect Emissions)
TOTAL SCOPE 3 (MT CO2e) (All Other Emissions) Variation From FY08
-90% -
-100%
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
8
GHG Inventory Overview FY25 300,000
YEAR-TO-YEAR Overview - By Scope
-1.8%
0% -10%
-14.6%
OVERALL: 167,192 MT CO2 eq
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
250,000
-21.7%
-21.2%
-23.1%
-20%
-31.9% 200,000
SCOPE 1:
-36.7%
-37.3%
45,664 MT CO2 eq -39.6%
-30% -38.8%
-40%
150,000
-50%
SCOPE 2: 100,000
64,079 MT CO2 eq
-60% -70%
SCOPE 3:
50,000
57,448 MT CO2 eq
-80%
Percentage Variation Compared to FY08
0.0%
TOTAL SCOPE 1 (MT CO2e) (Direct Emissions) TOTAL SCOPE 2 (MT CO2e) (Indirect Emissions)
TOTAL SCOPE 3 (MT CO2e) (All Other Emissions) Variation From FY08
-90% -
-100%
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
9
GHG Inventory Overview YEAR-TO-YEAR Overview - All Categories
0.0%
300,000
0%
-1.8%
On-Campus Steam -10%
-14.6% 250,000
Fleet Vehicles
-21.7%
-20%
-21.2%
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
Other On-Campus Stationary
-23.1%
Fertilizers & Animals -30%
-31.9%
200,000
-39.6%
Refrigerants & Chemicals
-37.3%
-36.7%
-38.8% -40%
Scope 1
Purchased Electricity Purchased Steam
Chilled Water
Scope 2
Student Commuting 150,000
-50%
Directly Financed Air Travel Other Directly Financed Travel
-60%
Faculty & Staff Commuting Study Abroad Air Travel
100,000 -70%
Solid Waste Wastewater
-80%
50,000
Scope 3
Paper Food
0 FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
-90%
Transmission & Distribution Losses Fuel & Energy Related Activities
-100%
Variation %
FY25
10
Notable FY25 Changes Scope
Category
1&2
Total Steam (Produced & Purchased)
Variation % of Total Compared GHG Potential Explanations to FY24 Emissions 25%
↑ ↓
2
Electricity
1
Other On-Campus Stationary (Natural Gas)
3
2
Directly Financed Air Travel
Chilled Water
- 43% (- 36% including chilled water) 33%
59%
-
↑ ↑
33%
21% (24% including chilled water)
Heating Degree Days – Combined steam consumption increased in part due to a 13% increase in building square footage and 14% increase in days requiring heating. Renewable Electricity Procurement – Pitt purchased 97,285 MWh of renewable electricity this FY, equivalent to 54% of electricity usage. This is a 45% increase in REC procurement from FY24. Overall electricity use also decreased 9% from FY24, despite an increase in both building square footage and days requiring cooling; combined, this indicates promising building energy efficiency.
8%
Natural Gas Use – Natural gas consumption for buildings increased due to an increase in building square footage, particularly for laboratory spaces and offcampus housing, which consume natural gas for heating.
6%
Data Collection Correction – Dollars spent on directly financed air travel decreased in FY25. However, data collection improvements and a shift to the utilization of SIMAP’s emissions factors led to an increase in emissions from this category, but this reflects best practice.
3%
New Category – Due to data collection improvements, chilled water was accounted for as its own category this year for the first time. Previously, this building energy source was accounted for within the “Electricity” category.
11
University Overview: Square Footage Buildings Fiscal Year FY 08 FY 11 FY 14 FY 17 FY 19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22 FY 23 FY 24 FY 25
Gross Square Feet 9,403,627 9,650,285 10,209,646 10,187,967 11,564,332 11,645,940 11,691,649 11,026,502 11,821,234 11,336,441 12,758,745
• 1,422,304 SF more than FY24 • 13% increase • 3,355,118 SF more than FY08 • 36% increase
YEAR-TO-YEAR Building Utilities per SF
0.090
0.080 0.070 0.060 0.050
0.040 0.030 0.020 0.010
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
Electricity (MWh/SF) 0.021 0.022 0.021 0.021 0.019 0.017 0.017 0.016 0.016 0.018 0.014
Natural Gas (mc/SF) 0.018 0.011 0.012 0.010 0.012 0.011 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.016 0.019
Steam (klb/SF) 0.057 0.072 0.082 0.063 0.057 0.054 0.056 0.064 0.063 0.055 0.064
12
FY25 Building List Gross Sq. Ft.
Building
Gross Sq. Ft.
229 Atwood Street
3,350
Central Utility Building
53,832
Frick Fine Arts Building
78,879
233-237 Atwood Street
9,500
Centre Plaza Apartments
133,400
Gardner Steel Conference Center
27,150
324-326 Oakland Avenue
8,800
Charles L. Cost Sports Center
84,896
GSPH - Public Health Building and Crabtree
358,532
3343 Forbes Avenue
26,216
Chevron Science Center
268,738
Healthy Home Lab
4,400
3401 Blvd Of The Allies
63,888
Clapp Hall
90,158
Heinz Chapel
19,956
Melwood Maintenance Building
41,234
College Gardens Apartments
100,315
Hillman Library
261,364
Motor Pool Warehouse
8,019
NOC - RIDC
19,352
Hyacinth Place
29,819
Chancellors Residence
18,815
Craig Hall
65,524
Langley Hall
101,765
Allegheny Observatory
33,173
Crawford Hall
87,672
Life Sciences Annex
52,687
Allen Hall
58,768
Sports Dome
105,608
Litchfield Towers
345,222
Alumni Hall
206,914
Darragh Street Housing
111,902
Loeffler Building
37,395
Barco Law Building
155,527
David Lawrence Hall
67,639
Lothrop Hall
241,896
Bellefield Hall
112,585
Eberly Hall
67,639
Mark A. Nordenberg Hall
201,997
Benedum Hall
500,413
Eureka Building
36,604
Mayflower Apartments
14,827
Biomedical Science Tower 3
310,294
Falk School
86,400
McGowan Institute For Regenerative Medicine
46,312
Bouquet Gardens
162,451
Fitzgerald Field House
115,856
Mervis Hall
104,060
Bouquet Gardens J
65,048
Forbes-Craig Apartments
48,403
Music Building
26,689
Bridgeside Point II Building
165,288
Forbes Pavilion
96,207
Oakwood Apartments
17,698
Carrillo Steam Plant
25,454
Forbes-Atwood Building
21,379
OC Garage & Lot
106,629
Cathedral Of Learning
616,348
Franklin Complex
57,481
O'Hara Student Center
37,337
Center For Bioengineering
90,870
Fraternity Housing Complex
63,177
Old Engineering Hall
72,386
Building
Building
Gross Sq. Ft.
13
FY24 Building List, Continued Building
Gross Sq. Ft.
Building
Gross Sq. Ft.
Pittsburgh Athletic Association
142,031
Strand Building
54,003
Panther Hall
160,725
Sutherland Hall
215,893
Parkvale Building
55,456
Thackeray Hall
99,140
Parkvale Annex
14,343
Thaw Hall
57,626
K. Leroy Irvis Hall
128,788
Thomas Blvd
215,893
Petersen Events Center
391,239
Thomas Detre Hall Of The WPIC (Pitt Half)
45,582
Petersen Sports Complex
50,187
Tower Commons Facility
146,766
Pitt IT Technology Building
12,656
Trees Hall
270,789
Plum Borough Research Facility
38,831
Twentieth Century Club
74,833
Residences on Bigelow
185,889
University Child Development Center
25,227
Ruskin Hall
160,700
University Club & Hall
101,896
Salk Hall
215,561
University Public Safety Building
24,313
Salk Pavilion
95,644
Salk Annex
140,751
Scaife Hall
700,756
Van De Graaff Building
41,004
Schenley Quad
448,273
Victoria Building
131,000
Sennott Square
255,260
Wesley W. Posvar Hall
727,830
Shirley Apartments
18,564
William Pitt Union
175,423
Information Sciences Building
117,270
Soldiers & Sailors Garage
295,419
Space Research Coordination Center
41,828
Stephen Foster Memorial
29,222
FY25 GHG Inventory – Buildings Added 1) 229 Atwood [3,350 ft2] 2) 233-237 Atwood [9,500 ft2] 3) Carrillo Street Steam Plant [25,454 ft2] 4) Forbes-Atwood [21,379 ft2] 5) Halket & Iroquois Parking 6) Langley Parking Garage 7) Loeffler [37,395 ft2] 8) Pittsburgh Athletic Association [142,031 ft2] 9) Salk Annex [140,751 ft2] 10) Scaife Hall incl. Addition [700,756 ft2] 11) Shirley Apartments [18,564 ft2] 12) Strand Building [54,003 ft2]
FY25 GHG Inventory – Buildings Removed 1) Iroquois [60,000 ft2]
14
University Overview: LEED University of Pittsburgh LEED Certified Buildings 400,000
2,000,000 1,800,000
350,000
1,600,000 300,000
1,400,000 250,000
Square Footage
Buildings Pursuing LEED Certification Year Building Name Certification Hillman Library 2025 Platinum Renovation Alan Magee Scaife Hall, 2026 West Addition & Gold Renovation In Operation Peterson Sports Tracking Silver FY23 Complex Addition In Operation Fifth & Halket Tracking Gold FY26 In Operation Recreation & Wellness Tracking Gold FY26 Center In Operation Arena & Sports Tracking Gold FY27 Performance Center In Operation Crawford Hall Tracking Gold FY27 Renovation In Operation BioForge at Hazelwood Tracking FY28 Green Platinum
LEED Certified LEED Silver LEED Gold LEED Platinum Cumulative LEED Square Footage
1,200,000
200,000
1,000,000
800,000
150,000
600,000 100,000 400,000 50,000
200,000
0
-
Year
15
University Overview: FY25 Leased Non-Pitt Owned Buildings Leased space is an optional Scope 3 category & NOT included in Pitt’s GHG Inventory boundary; it is included here for context & trend analysis.
NOTE: Leased space energy use was estimated using square footage, primary space use type, & national average energy use intensity based on primary use.
40,586
41,230
45,000
1,600,000
40,000
1,400,000
35,000
1,200,000
30,000
1,000,000
25,000
1,610,750
800,000 1,362,000
1,394,771
1,619,760
20,000
1,420,876
600,000
15,000
400,000
10,000
200,000
5,000
-
GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
This leased space had an estimated 41,230 MT CO 2e of GHG Emissions in FY25 (equivalent to 25% of total FY25 emissions).
1,800,000
Square Footage
The University had 118 leases covering 1,619,760 square feet of space in in non-Pitt-owned buildings in Pennsylvania.
Pitt Leased Space In Buildings Owned by Others
0
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
Fiscal Year
16
University Overview: FY25 Population & Student Housing YEAR-TO-YEAR Pitt Campus Population (FTE)
50,000
Student Residence Locations Off-Campus (far)
Off-Campus (close)
On-Campus
35,000
7,735 3,778
12%
19,075
7,730 3,729 18,731
7,787 3,324 16,503
7,342 2,879 17,386
5,773 3,654 17,059
7,649 2,673 16,408
7,891 2,626 15,745
7,928 2,624 15,688
7,825 2,592 15,500
7,000 2,674 17,066
7,000 15,279
7,197
8,082
5,106
9,119
4,962
2,475
30,588
30,190
27,607 4,857
8,685
FY19
8,137
FY17
4,732
5,769 2,704
FY14
10,000
25%
62%
5,000
7,869
5,341 2,944
FY11
25,000
15,000
4,733
5,012 2,791
FY08
30,000
20,000
8,314
5,079 2,878
10,000
26,485
26,730
28,673
26,240
25,917
26,740
20,000
24,755
30,000
27,614
67%
4,995 2,688
Population (FTE)
40,000
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
-
-
Staff (full & part time)
Faculty (full & part time)
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY 25
Students
17
SCOPE 1 DIRECT EMISSIONS FROM COMBUSTION
Fiscal Year 2025
Scope 1 FY25 Trends
Scope 1 is 27% of Total Emissions [45,664 MT CO2e]
Scope 1 % of Total Emissions
100% 90% 80%
Scope 3 Scope 2
70% % of Total Emissions
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
Scope 1
60%
Refrigerants Fleet 3% 2%
50% 40%
29%
30% 20% 10%
18%
16%
17%
FY14
FY17
FY19
12%
0%
21%
24%
22%
21%
FY21
FY22
FY23
25%
27%
FY24
FY25
4%
FY08
FY11
FY20
Natural Gas for Buildings
On-Campus Steam from CSSP 66%
% OF SCOPE 1
19
Scope 1: Major Sources FY25 Trends
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
SCOPE 1 - Emissions Trends Major Sources 300%
Stationary Sources & Fleet are 98% of Scope 1 Emissions
Emissions Variation (%)
250%
200%
150%
100%
50%
NOTES • Compared to the FY08 baseline, fleet vehicle emissions increased by percentage more than any other category.
0%
-50%
-100% On Campus Steam Natural Gas Fleet
FY08 0% 0%
FY11 0% -38% 40%
FY14 49% -31% 155%
FY17 15% -43% 178%
FY19 13% -19% 298%
FY20 33% -23% 226%
FY21 34% -11% 201%
FY22 24% -20% 173%
FY23 51% -12% 194%
FY24 27% 10% 195%
FY25 35% 46% 194%
•
Pitt’s steam is primarily provided by the on-campus CSSP, supplemented by purchased steam from the off-campus BBP. 20
Steam
On-Campus Steam is 18% of Total Emissions
Total Steam is 33% of Total Emissions
SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS - On-Campus Steam
Total Steam Emissions
40,000
GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
60,000
35,000
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
30,000
25,000
50,000
40,000 30,000
ON-CAMPUS STEAM (CSSP)
20,000
10,000
20,000
PURCHASED STEAM (BBP)
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
33,417
32,981
15,000
29,627 25,623
29,644
28,205
27,532
29,993
24,978
22,200
10,000
ON-CAMPUS STEAM
5,000
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
NOTES • Pitt has Steam emissions in both Scope 1 & 2. • Scope 1 = On-Campus Carrillo Street Steam Plant • Scope 2 = Purchased from Bellefield Boiler Plant • Left figure shows Scope 1 GHG emissions only. • Right figure shows total steam emissions.
Data Retrieved Thanks to Evan Petrack & Ashley Randt
21
Steam
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
Total Steam Used On-Campus Carrillo Steam Plant + Purchased Steam from Bellefied Boiler Plant
900,000
Compared to FY24, Heating Degree Days increased 14% & building square footage increased 13%.
92%
90%
800,000
88% 700,000
304,889 185,908 183,161
274,034
84%
Steam (klbs)
152,090 356,381
500,000
86%
227,913
148,299
82%
173,380
80%
400,000
78% 300,000
557,723
535,812
532,693
481,620 409,236
200,000
470,987
405,180
445,835
428,617
480,479
342,405
From BBP (klbs) From CSSP (klbs)
CSSP Efficiency BBP Efficiency
76%
74%
100,000
-
Steam Plant Efficiency
600,000
333,892
72% 70%
-
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
Data Retrieved Thanks to Evan Petrack & Ashley Randt
22
Natural Gas
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
8% of Total Emissions
SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS - Natural Gas 16,000
250,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
150,000
8,000 13,463
6,000
100,000
Usage (mcf)
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
200,000
Natural Gas Emissions (MT CO2e)
Natural Gas Usage (mcf)
10,143
9,200 4,000
7,470 5,700
6,386
8,167 7,102
7,348
8,111 50,000
5,245
2,000
-
-
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
Data Retrieved Thanks to Evan Petrack & Ashley Randt
FY25
23
Fleet Vehicle Fuel Use & Emissions Year-To-Year Comparison Fleet Fuel Type
250
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
1% of Total Emissions
250
SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS – Fleet Vehicles 2,500 200
450%
414%
200
150
100
100
50
50
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
Fuel (kgal)
150
Electricity (MWh)
2,000
338% 313% 288%
1,500
350% 306% 306% 305%
283%
300%
256%
250% 200% 1,000 150% 0%
500
150% 100%
Variation from FY08 Bsseline
400%
50% Other (kGal) Propane (kGal) Biodiesel (kGal) Regular (kGal) Gasoline (kGal) Diesel (kGal) Electricity (MWh)
FY08 -
FY11 -
FY14 0.4
FY17 1.5
FY19 -
FY20 -
11 42 -
10 72 -
12 127 -
23 129 -
1 157 61
140 41 -
FY21 107 81 19 21
FY22 72 87 20 16
FY23 83 92 20 72
FY24 89 91 16 169
FY25 86 89 19 226
0
-
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 Fuels Emissions 481 722 1,230 1,388 1,992 1,629 1,506 1,364 1,472 1,474 1,468 Variation % from FY08 0% 150% 256% 288% 414% 338% 313% 283% 306% 306% 305%
0%
NOTES • Despite being externally contracted, University shuttles are included in this category. • In FY21, Shuttles shifted from biodiesel to propane.
Data Retrieved Thanks to Jonathan Pearson
24
Scope 1: Minor Sources FY25 Trends
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
SCOPE 1 - Emissions Trends Minor Sources 900%
Refrigerants & Fertilizers are 2% of Scope 1 Emissions
800%
Emissions Variation (%)
700%
600%
500%
400%
300%
200%
100%
0%
-100%
Refrigerants Fertilizers
FY08 0%
FY11 188% 0%
FY14 174% 100%
FY17 58% 0%
FY19 180% 0%
FY20 -1% 74%
FY21 -20% -25%
FY22 81% 562%
FY23 22% 407%
FY24 309% 766%
FY25 -8% 231%
NOTES • Refrigerant use varies widely year over year. • FY22 forward shows correction of fertilizer data entry error. 25
Refrigerants
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
0.4% of Total Emissions
Year-To-Year Comparison Refrigerants Used
SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS - Refrigerants
5,000
3,500
3,272
4,000
3,000
2,342 1,707
2,000
1,718
1,595
1,122
1,523 1,236
1,053
1,381 845
1,000
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
Refrigerant Use (Pounds)
4,290 3,000 2,500
2,300
2,240
2,192
2,000
1,450
1,500 1,000
1,266 974
800 789
644
FY20
FY21
737
500 -
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
-
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
NOTES • Refrigerant use & emissions returned to normal levels after large maintenance projects increased refrigerant use in FY24. • Since FY08, Pitt has switched to refrigerants with lower GWP. • Notable shifts in usage Data Retrieved Thanks to Wayne Eakin
26
Fertilizers
< 0.01% of Total Emissions
Fertilizer Use
SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS - Fertilizers
25,000
10
25%
Total Amount (pounds)
9
9 20%
15,000
15%
10,000
10%
5,000
5%
Nitrogen Content
20,000
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
% Nitrogen Content
Fertilizer Use (pounds)
SCOPE 1 Direct Emissions From Combustion
8 7 6
5 5 4
0%
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
3
3
2
2 1
-
7
1
2
1
1
FY17
FY19
1
0
-
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
NOTES • FY25 emissions returned to ‘normal’ levels after increased nitrogen content in FY24 caused an emissions increase. • FY08 – FY21 results include a data entry error relating to nitrogen content; FY22 forward, fertilizer use & emissions appear larger due to correction of this error. Data Retrieved Thanks to Andrew Moran
27
SCOPE 2 INDIRECT EMISSIONS
Fiscal Year 2025
Scope 2 FY25 Trends
SCOPE 2 Indirect Emissions
Scope 2 % of Total Emissions
Scope 2 is 38% of FY25 GHG Emissions [64,079 MT CO2e]
100% 90% 80%
% of Total Emissions
70%
Scope 3
60%
Scope 2
61%
50% 40%
59% 71%
53%
57%
61%
45%
49%
38%
42%
7%
Scope 1
38%
42%
Steam Purchased from BBP
30% 20%
Chilled Water
Purchased Electricity
55%
10%
0% FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
% OF SCOPE 2
29
Scope 2 FY25 Trends
SCOPE 2 Indirect Emissions
SCOPE 2 - Emissions Trends 0%
Emissions Variation (%)
-20%
-40%
-60%
-80%
Purchased Electricity Purchased Steam
FY08 0% 0%
FY11 -2% -47%
FY14 -17% -58%
FY17 -24% -69%
FY19 -47% -69%
FY20 -39% -76%
FY21 -38% -71%
FY22 -53% -63%
FY23 -48% -71%
FY24 -56% -71%
FY25 -75% -55%
30
Purchased Electricity
21% of Total Emissions
SCOPE 2 Indirect Emissions
Year-To-Year Total Electricity
SCOPE 2 EMISSIONS - Electricity Use 0% -10%
-17%
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
-24%
-20%
120,000
100,000
80,000
-39%
-30%
-38%
-47% -53%
-40%
-48% -56%
-50% -60%
60,000
-75%
-70%
40,000 -80% 20,000
-90%
-
198,040
-100%
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
NOTES • FY25 electricity use decreased from FY24 and is the lowest use not in a pandemic-influenced fiscal year. • Despite square footage growth from FY08 to present, a 75% decrease in electricity-related GHG emissions is due to both building efficiency projects & renewable procurement.
215,391
199,999
200,000
181,780
150,000 100,000 50,000 -
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
Year-To-Year Total Electricity per SF Electricity Use Intensity (kWh/ft 2)
140,000
-2%
250,000
Electricity (MWh)
0%
Percent Change Compared to FY08 Baseline
160,000
25
21 20
19 18
14
15
10
5
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
Data Retrieved Thanks to Evan Petrack & Ashley Randt
31
On-Campus Solar & REC Procurement RECs – Annual Variation
60%
100,000
50%
80,000
40%
60,000
30%
40,000
20%
20,000
10%
-
0%
% Electricity Use
REC Procurement (MWh)
120,000
SCOPE 2 Indirect Emissions
On-Campus Rooftop Solar Generation 500
FY20 42,377 21%
FY21 21,940 11%
FY22 31,439 18%
FY23 32,131 17%
FY24 33,072 33,883 33%
FY25 6341 32,681 58,263 52%
491
400
MWh
Bundled RECs (WPEC) Gaucho PPA Unbundled RECs % of electricity use
FY19 36,230 17%
NOTES • Pitt had only minor REC procurement prior to FY19. • Gaucho Solar farm came online on July 1, 2023 (FY24). • Pitt’s goal is 50% renewable electricity by 2030 & 100% by 2037. • 2,400,000 kWh expected from on-campus rooftop solar generation in FY28. Data Retrieved Thanks to Aurora Sharrard
300
200 100
4
4
4
3
-
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
22
FY24
FY25
32
Purchased Steam
SCOPE 2 Indirect Emissions
15% of Total Emissions
SCOPE 2 EMISSIONS - Purchased Steam Emissions
Year-To-Year Steam Purchased from OffCampus Bellefield Boiler Plant
70,000
0%
600,000 -10%
532,693 60,000
400,000
333,892 300,000
227,913 173,380
200,000
GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
Steam (klbs)
500,000
-20% 50,000
-30%
-40%
40,000
-55%
-47% -58% 30,000
-63% -69% -69%
100,000 20,000
-71%
-50%
-60%
-71% -71%
-76%
-70%
-80%
-
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
NOTES • In FY25, purchased steam use & GHG emissions increased because there were more heating degree days and increased building SF. • Total steam use increased (Scope 1 + 2).
FY25
10,000 -90%
-
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 Chilled Water (MT CO2e) 4,249 Purchased Steam (MT CO2e) 55,100 29,400 23,404 17,238 16,892 13,247 15,954 20,310 16,193 15,705 24,746 Variation % from Baseline 0% -47% -58% -69% -69% -76% -71% -63% -71% -71% -55%
Data Retrieved Thanks to Evan Petrack & Ashley Randt
-100%
33
Chilled Water & Relative Emissions SCOPE 2 Indirect Emissions
3% of Total Emissions SCOPE 2 EMISSIONS - Purchased Steam & Chilled Water 70,000
0% -10%
0%
60,000
GHG Emissions (MT CO2 eq)
-20% 50,000
-30% -44%
40,000 -47%
-40%
-50%
-58%
30,000
-63% -69%
-69%
20,000
-60% -71%
-71%
-71%
-70%
-76%
Chilled Water Newly Separated from Electricity in FY25
-80% 10,000
-90% -
FY08 Chilled water (MT CO2e) Purchased Steam (MT CO2e) 55,100 Variation % from Baseline 0%
FY11 29,400 -47%
FY14 23,404 -58%
FY17 17,238 -69%
FY19 16,892 -69%
FY20 13,247 -76%
FY21 15,954 -71%
FY22 20,310 -63%
FY23 16,193 -71%
Data Retrieved Thanks to Evan Petrack & Ashley Randt
FY24 15,705 -71%
FY25 6,301 31,037 -44%
-100%
34
SCOPE 3 OTHER INDIRECT EMISSIONS
Fiscal Year 2025
Scope 3 FY25 Trends – Travel Scope 3 accounts for 34% of Total Emissions [57,448 MT CO2e]
Scope 3 % of Total Emissions 100% 14%
90%
25%
27%
22%
26%
27%
80%
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
% OF SCOPE 3 29%
30% 37%
41%
34% Scope 1
Scope 2
Student Commuting 4%
T&D Losses 6%
70%
Fuel & Energy Related Activity 34%
% of Total Emissions
Scope 3 60%
Study Abroad Air Travel 2% Ground Travel 3%
50%
40%
Faculty & Staff Commuting 17%
Directly Financed Air Travel 16%
30%
Food 13%
20%
Wastewater 1%
10%
0% FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
Solid Waste 4%
Paper 0%
NOTES • Scope 3 emissions have returned to pre-pandemic levels. • FY25 Travel GHG emissions were influenced by an increase in Fuel & Energy Related Activities and Directly Financed Air Travel.
36
Scope 3 FY25 Trends – Travel
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
SCOPE 3 Emissions Trends - Travel
Travel is 8% of FY25 GHG Emissions (+41% from FY24)
4000%
Emissions Variation Compared to FY08 (%)
3500% 3000%
2500% 2000% 1500%
NOTE • FY20-22 - Were Pandemic-Influenced • FY22, 24, & 25 Personal car travel reimbursement data not provided.
1000% 500% 0% -500%
Directly Financed Air Travel Other Directly Financed Travel Study Abroad Air Travel
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
0% 0% 0%
35% -50% 0%
-4% 111% -30%
0% 448% 316%
47% 482% 701%
-59% 1493% 217%
-84% 583% -86%
-58% 1040% -43%
20% 3712% -30%
-75% 1959% -12%
-44% 1697% 29% 37
Directly Financed Travel & Study Abroad
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
Air Travel
20,000
70% Faculty, Staff, & Students
-
Air Travel – Study Abroad (miles) Thousands of Miles
10,000 5,000 -
NOTES • Not adjusted for inflation. • FY11, FY14, & FY19 - Athletics data not provided. • Growth in Athletics air travel linked to increased ACC geography.
92%
4,000
Faculty, Staff, & Students
2,000
400
NOTES • Not adjusted for inflation • FY21 & FY22 – Pandemicinfluenced • FY22, 24, & 25 Personal car travel reimbursement data not provided.
200
Faculty, Staff, & Students
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
Bus & Rail Travel 800 600
-
Rail
5,000
Athletics
6,000
Bus
Athletics
Thousand Miles
30%
10,000
15,000
8%
8,000
15,000
20,000
Car Travel
10,000
Thousand Miles
Thousands of Dollars
25,000
80% 20% Athletics
Data Retrieved Thanks to Lauren Leonard, Jason Rickel, Emily Duchene, John Senter, Jon Wilson, Hillary Koller
38
Directly Financed Travel & Study Abroad SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS - Travel
6% of Total Emissions
45,000 GHG EMISSIONS (MT CO2E)
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
Percentage of Travel Emissions
40,000
Faculty & Staff
35,000 30,000
100%
25,000
97%
96%
93%
20,000
84%
15,000
90%
92%
80%
10,000
78%
82%
72%
5,000
FY08 FY11
FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
28%
Students FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 Study Abroad Air Travel 1,100 775 4,578 8,816 3,489 153 626 765 971 Ground Travel 100 50 211 548 582 1,593 683 1,140 3,812 2,059 Directly Financed Air Travel 24,800 33,600 23,921 24,706 36,560 10,273 4,018 10,400 29,651 6,187
FY25 1,418 1,759 9,830
0%
FY08
16%
3%
4%
FY11
FY14
FY17
22%
20%
FY19
FY20
11%
10%
8%
FY21
FY22
FY23
Data Retrieved Thanks to Lauren Leonard, Jason Rickel, Emily Duchene, John Senter, Jon Wilson, Hillary Koller
FY24
18%
FY25
39
Scope 3 FY25 Trends – Commuting
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
SCOPE 3 Emissions Trends - Commuting
Commuting is 7% of FY25 GHG Emissions (+2% from FY24)
150%
Emissions Variation (%)
100%
50%
0%
-50%
-100% Faculty & Staff Commuting Students Commuting
FY08 0% 0%
FY11 8% 6%
FY14 -28% 17%
FY17 -9% 15%
FY19 71% 131%
FY20 13% 98%
FY21 -58% -44%
FY22 -27% -56%
FY23 -23% -63%
FY24 -27% -56%
FY25 -25% -55%
NOTES • Commuting assumptions had minimal variation between FY22 – 25. • Faculty & Staff commuting emissions increased slightly due to population growth, with nearly half of commuting by driving alone. • Student commuting emissions increased in part due to an increase in student population, which also required more students to live off- and further from campus.
40
Commuting
7% of Total Emissions SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS - Commuting
62%
16%
40,000
67%
Staff
18%
Off-Campus (far)
Faculty Students 12%
Off-Campus (close) OnCampus
25%
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
35,000 30,000 25,000
STUDENTS FACULTY & STAFF
20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 -
Off-Campus (far)
Off-Campus (close)
On-Campus
7,735
3,729
3,778
19,075
16,503
7,730
7,787 3,324
18,731
7,342 2,879
17,386
2,673
5,773
2,626
3,654
17,059
7,649
2,624
16,408
7,891
7,928
7,825 2,592
15,745
5,000
2,475
15,688
10,000
2,674
15,500
15,000
7,000
20,000
17,066
25,000
7,000
30,000
15,279
Student Population
35,000
DATA NOTES • Most commuting emissions are attributable to faculty and staff travel. • FY25 Students = 67% of total population, but only 19% of commuting GHG emissions (assuming various residence locations). • Since FY22, assumptions have been based on Pitt commuter survey results. • Since FY21, formal staff flex work arrangements are reflected.
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY 25 Data Retrieved Thanks to Jonathan Pearson
41
Commuting: Trends & Assumptions
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
STAFF
FACULTY
STUDENTS
90%
80%
80%
70%
70%
60%
60%
50%
40%
40%
30%
30%
20%
50% 40% 30%
60% 50%
20%
20%
10%
10%
10%
0%
0%
0%
FY25 Transit Mode Drive Alone
o o o
Telecommuting: Staff 23%, Faculty 19%, Students 0% Fall 2022 Commuter Survey informed process; no subsequent survey planned. Info on POGOH bike share, PRT incline, & scooters included in considerations.
Data informed by Mobility
Students
10
47%
43%
1%
Bus (Public Transit)
5
17%
17%
48%
Carpool
10
6%
6%
2%
Bike
4
4%
4%
9%
Walk
1
4%
4%
39%
Light Rail
1
1%
1%
1%
Telecommuting
-
19%
23%
0%
Commuter Rail
-
0%
0%
0%
Electric Vehicles
10
2%
2%
0%
(Internal Combustion Vehicle)
ASSUMPTIONS
Miles / Trip Faculty Staff
42
Scope 3 FY25 Trends: Waste, Paper, SCOPE 3 Emissions Trends – Waste, Paper, & Food & Food
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
200%
7% of FY25 GHG Emissions
Emissions Variation (%)
150% 100%
50% 0% -50% -100%
NOTE Since FY19, all categories (except Food, which started in FY21) have been consistent.
-150%
Solid Waste Wastewater Paper Food
FY08 0% 0% 0%
FY11 -75% -7% -6%
FY14 -75% -91% 22%
FY17 -73% -93% 53%
FY19 -74% -93% -54%
FY20 -69% -93% -68%
FY21 -75% -76% -90% 0%
FY22 -75% -66% -87% 80%
FY23 -72% -64% -85% 138%
FY24 -63% -69% -84% 142%
FY25 -55% -59% -87% 169%
43
Solid Waste & Wastewater
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS - Solid Waste
6,000
40%
5,000
Tons
Solid Waste 2% of Total Emissions
30%
4,000 3,000
20%
2,000
10%
1,000
-
FY08 Landfilled 5,246 Recycled 1,543 % Waste Recycled 23%
FY11 4,596 1,572 25%
FY14 4,634 1,764 28%
FY17 4,384 2,406 35%
FY19 4,189 2,512 37%
FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 3,480 2,742 2,804 3,131 3,247 1,900 759 1,039 1,058 1,437 35% 22% 27% 25% 31%
FY25 3,974 1,186 23%
0%
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
Year-To-Year Solid Waste Landfilled & Recycled 6,000
5,700
5,000 4,000 3,000
2,563
2,000
1,400 1,437 1,522 1,454
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS - Wastewater 1,600 GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
300,000
kgal
250,000 200,000 150,000
100,000 50,000 -
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY 22 FY 23 FY24 FY25 Water (1000 gal) 312,018 308,886 372,837 324,294 301,532 264,785 234,363 310,302 275,273 290,744 306,786 Sewage (1000 gal) 278,350 246,450 280,055 240,165 236,027 201,772 179,836 259,850 270,762 233,285 306,786
1,607
-
400,000 350,000
1,413 1,445
1,000
Year-To-Year Comparison Water & Sewage
Wastewater < 1% of Total Emissions
1,793
2,094
1,400
1,500
1,400
1,200 1,000 800
510
600 353
400 200
136
104
102
542
615 467
107
-
Data Retrieved Thanks to Ernest Robinson, Evan Petrack & Ashley Randt
44
Food
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
5% of Total Emissions
SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS - Food 9,000
3,000 GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
2,500 SHORT TONS
7,691
8,000
2,000
1,500 1,000 500
7,000
6,803
6,938
FY23
FY24
6,000 5,141 5,000 4,000 2,861
3,000
2,000
-
FY18
FY19
1,000
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
-
FY20
FY25
Food Purchased Food Composted Food Recovered
-
FY21
FY22
FY25
NOTES • Food emissions category added in FY21. • FY21 & FY22 food volume served was pandemic-influenced. • Compost activities include both food & yard waste & are not calculated as a carbon offset.
Data Retrieved Thanks to Nick Goodfellow
45
Food
5% of Total Emissions
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
Seafood Pork
SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS - Food
Ruminant Meats
600,000
9,000
Poultry GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
Dairy
Grains
500,000
Fruits & vegetables 400,000 Purchased Food (kg)
7,691
8,000
300,000
7,000
6,803
6,938
FY23
FY24
6,000 5,141
5,000 4,000 2,861
3,000 2,000
200,000
1,000 -
100,000
FY20
FY18
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
FY21
FY22
FY25
NOTES • Food emissions increased 11% compared to FY24. • More foods with higher GHG impact were purchased in FY25, including meats, dairy and grains.
Data Retrieved Thanks to Nick Goodfellow
46
Paper
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
0.1% of Total Emissions
Year-To-Year Comparison Total Paper Purchased SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS - Paper
1,000
3,000
894
900 800
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
700
Tons
600
557
500 400 300
365
341 231
200 100
2,441
2,500
744
1,949
2,000 1,600
1,500
- 87% from FY08 1,000 729 500
74
78
88
92
1,500
82
509
167
214
241
252
213
-
FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
NOTE: Reductions since FY17 are due to behavior change from reducing on-campus printing (and thus reduced paper use & associated GHG emissions). Data Retrieved Thanks to Jennifer Barnes
47
FERA: Fuel- & Energy-Related Activities FERA has been a Scope 3 Category since FY22
11% of Total Emissions
• Automatically calculated by SIMAP for Scope 1 Stationary Sources & Scope 2 Purchased Electricity
FERA Emissions 25,000
20,741
GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
16,772 15,000
• FERA accounts for all upstream emissions for Scope 1 stationary sources (e.g., direct combustion of fuel or generation of energy). For Pitt, this includes: • Natural gas combustion from the Carrillo Street Steam Plant • Gasoline, diesel, and propane fuel used for fleet vehicles, shuttles, & backup generators.
20,000
15,488
14,122
SCOPE 3 Other Indirect Emissions
• At 11% of total GHG emissions, FERA had a significant effect on FY25 emissions, mostly due to natural gas & on-campus steam. Figure: Lifecycle Stages Included in Scope 3 FERA vs. Scope 1.
10,000
5,000
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
48
Scope 3 Categories Included In FY22, SIMAP released updated functionalities of Scope 3 accounting. All 15 GHG Protocol Categories are now included in the software for potential inclusion in higher education GHG inventories. SIMAP / GHG Protocol Scope 3 Category
Second Nature Carbon Commitment Signatories Required to Report
FY21 forward FY08 forward Not included FY22 forward Not included FY08 forward FY08 forward FY08 forward Tracked since FY21 Not included in results.
Optional
Not included
Not included
Optional Optional Optional
Not included Not applicable Not applicable Included in Scope 1 & 2 if submeters do not exist for leased spaces exist. Not applicable. Not included.
Not included Not included Not included
Optional
2) Capital Goods 3) Fuel- and Energy-Related Activities 4) Upstream Transportation & Distribution 5) Waste Generated in Operations 6) Business Travel 7) Commuting
Optional Optional Optional Optional Yes Yes
8) Upstream Leased Assets
Optional
Downstream Transportation & Distribution 10) Processing of Sold Products 11) Use of Sold Products 12) End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products
Pitt GHG Inventory History
Food Paper Not included Included Not included Included Included Included Estimated for context Not included in results.
1) Purchased Goods & Services
9)
FY25 Pitt GHG Inventory Categories
13) Downstream Leased Assets
Optional
14) Franchises 15) Investments
Optional Optional
FY08 forward Not included Not included
49
SUMMARY & COMPARISONS
Fiscal Year 2025
GHG Inventory Overview FY25 0.0%
-6.8%
250,000
YEAR-TO-YEAR Overview - By Scope
-1.8%
0% -14.6% -13.6%
-21.7%
-21.2%
-23.1%
GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
-20.5%
-27.3%
-25.0%
200,000
-31.9%
-29.5% -39.6%
-2.6% from FY24
-10%
-20%
-31.8% -36.4% -36.7%
-34.1% -37.3%
150,000
-38.8%
-30%
-38.6%-40% -50% -60%
100,000 -70%
-80%
50,000
-90% -
-100%
FY08
FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
TOTAL SCOPE 3 (MT CO2e) (All Other Emissions)
TOTAL SCOPE 2 (MT CO2e) (Indirect Emissions)
Variation From FY08
GHG Reduction Targets
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
TOTAL SCOPE 1 (MT CO2e) (Direct Emissions)
51
Total GHG Emissions -2.6% from Previous FY YEAR-TO-YEAR ALL SCOPES
20,000
57,448
51,602
23,642
48,919
50,238
77,481
88,147 57,817
51,934
72,650
69,100
64,079
76,752
101,498
45,664
43,102
43,979
37,700
39,962
39,148
36,681
40,000
33,523
30,901
60,000
42,834
80,000
88,859
+5%
+11%
-17% 85,087
100,000
90,694
120,000
98,000
140,000
10,500
GHG Emissions (MT CO 2e)
160,000
122,845
138,745
180,000
164,900
193,800
200,000
FY24 FY24 FY25
FY24 FY24 FY25
FY24 FY24 FY25
0 TOTAL SCOPE 1 (MT CO2e) (Direct Emissions)
TOTAL SCOPE 2 (MT CO2e) (Indirect Emissions)
TOTAL SCOPE 3 (MT CO2e) (All Other Emissions)
52
Total GHG Emissions - 22% from FY19 (Pre COVID-19 pandemic) YEAR-TO-YEAR ALL SCOPES
20,000
FY19
FY25 FY24
57,448
51,602
77,481 50,238
-35%
23,642
48,919
101,498
88,147 57,817
51,934
72,650
69,100
76,752
64,079
45,664
43,102
43,979
37,700
39,962
39,148
36,681
40,000
33,523
30,901
60,000
42,834
80,000
88,859
24%
-29% 85,087
100,000
90,694
120,000
98,000
122,845
140,000
10,500
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
160,000
138,745
180,000
164,900
193,800
200,000
FY19
FY25 FY24
FY19
FY24 FY25
0 TOTAL SCOPE 1 (MT CO2e) (Direct Emissions)
TOTAL SCOPE 2 (MT CO2e) (Indirect Emissions) TOTAL SCOPE 3 (MT CO2e) (All Other Emissions)
53
GHG Emissions Normalized GHG Emissions & Full Time Equivalents (FTE) Fiscal Years 2008 through 2025
20,000 15,000 10,000
50,000
210,319
167,192
8,000,000 171,455
173,006
165,101
215,522
214,185
10,000,000
186,068
150,000
233,513
200,000
12,000,000
268,451
250,000
14,000,000
273,400
300,000
6,000,000
100,000 4,000,000
50,000
Total Building Square Footage
100,000
25,000
Total Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions (MT CO2e)
167,192
171,455
30,000
FTE Students & Employees
35,000
210,319 173,006
165,101
215,522
214,185
186,068
150,000
40,000
233,513
200,000
45,000
268,451
250,000
50,000
273,400
Total Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions (MT CO2e)
300,000
GHG Emissions & Square Footage (SF) Fiscal Years 2008 through 2025
2,000,000
5,000
0 0
0 FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 Fiscal Year
0 FY08 FY11 FY14 FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 Fiscal Year
54
Key Takeaways: FY25 GHG Emissions 2) 3) 4) 5)
Population Growth – Is driving commuting emissions up and influences square footage requirements in Pitt-owned buildings on- and off-campus, as well as leased spaces. Heating - Natural gas increases need to be analyzed; an in-depth steam analysis is recommended to help reduce steam use & possible GHG emissions reduction. Building Electricity Use – Consumption has held relatively steady as square footage has increased. Renewable procurement has driven significant emissions reduction. Renewable Electricity – Procurement is increasing in line with goals and decreasing Scope 2 emissions. Future Needs: Prioritize building energy efficiency, accelerate renewable electricity procurement, & update commuter survey. 0.0% -1.8% YEAR-TO-YEAR Overview - By Scope 0%
FY25 GHG Emissions Transmission & Distribution Losses Fuel & Energy 2% Related Activities Solid Waste 11% 2% Food 5% Other Directly Financed Travel 1% Directly Financed Air Travel 6% Student Commuting 1% Faculty & Staff Commuting 6% Chilled Water 3%
Purchased Steam 15%
On-Campus Steam 18%
Other On-Campus Stationary Fleet Vehicles 8% 1% Fertilizers & Animals 0% Purchased Electricity 21%
-14.6%
250,000
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
1)
Pandemic Influenced -21.7% -21.2%
-10% -23.1%
200,000
-20%
-38.8%
-27.3%
-37.3% -38.6%-30%
-39.6%
-40% 150,000
-50% -60%
100,000
-70%
-80%
50,000
-90% -
-100% FY08
FY11 FY14
FY17 FY19 FY20 FY21
FY22 FY23
TOTAL SCOPE 1 (MT CO2e) (Direct Emissions) TOTAL SCOPE 2 (MT CO2e) (Indirect Emissions) TOTAL SCOPE 3 (MT CO2e) (All Other Emissions) Variation From FY08 GHG Reduction Targets
FY24 FY25
55
Future GHG Emissions Reduction Recommendations 1)
Growth - Pitt's continued growth in physical space & population size will outpace efforts focused on reducing GHG emissions; as a result, a redoubling of efforts will be needed across all categories. Ensure GHG inventory list of included buildings is accurate.
2)
Steam – Combined steam use is now 33% of total emissions and back up to nearly FY08 baseline levels, and it has generally trended upward due to the increasing building square footage in the GHG inventory boundary. a)
Recommend analysis of steam use at both the steam system and building scales to facilitate future operational focus on steam use reduction.
3)
Clean Energy - To assist with clean energy sourcing, building systems and components should shift away from natural gas & steam when possible.
4)
Purchased Electricity - Remains the University’s largest single GHG emissions category.
5)
6)
a)
More aggressive building energy efficiency retrofits are needed for more buildings more quickly.
b)
Energy use intensity performance goals for all existing buildings should be revisited, as should efforts to achieve them.
c)
Energy performance goals for new buildings should be as rigorous as possible.
d)
On- and off-campus renewable electricity generation projects and procurement should continue to advance quickly.
Travel – Air travel is a consistently large contributor to overall emissions and is not expected to substantially decrease in future y ears. a)
Athletics air travel is expected to grow with the expansion of the ACC geography.
b)
Increased and focused engagement with the Pitt community is needed regarding avoiding air travel entirely and/or shifting air travel to ground travel. Travel carbon offsets should be considered.
c)
Ensure SIMAP air travel data is accurate to ensure precision & that all contributors are correctly accounted for.
Academics - Pitt's research & academic community offers tremendous opportunities for innovation & collaboration. Strategically tapping these resources could lead to important longer-term cultural shifts. 56
University GHG Emissions Benchmarks PEER GROUP BENCHMARKING FOR GHG EMISSIONS Sorted By Net Emissions Higher Education Institution
FY
Net Emissions (MT CO 2e)
Students (MT CO2e / FTE Students)
Building Space (MT CO2e / 1,000 ft2)
Ohio State University Pennsylvania State university University Park Cornell University University Of Pittsburgh University of Pennsylvania Case Western Reserve University of Maryland - College Park Ohio University - Athens Campus
2025
428,522
7.0
13.5
2024
297,669
6.2
-
2025 2025 2024 2022 2024 2023
207,310 167,192 153,232 170,621 125,862 120,225
8.1 5.5 15 3.2 5.1
12.4 13.1 17.5 7.78 14.7
Duquesne University
2025
83,849
10
23.9
Carnegie Mellon University (Scopes 1&2) 2025 Chatham University 2018 Duke University 2025
33,055 8,206 -1
2.0 3.9 0
10.0 0
57
FY24 GHG Emissions Inventory Results Category SCOPE
SOURCE CATEGORY On-Campus Steam
Previous Fiscal Years FY11
FY14
FY17
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
-
22,200
32,981
25,623
24,978
29,627
29,644
27,532
33,417
28,205
29,993
Other On-Campus Stationary
9,200
5,700
6,386
5,245
7,470
7,102
8,167
7,348
8,111
10,143
13,463
Fleet Vehicles Refrigerants & Chemicals Fertilizers & Animals
500 800 10,500
700 2,300 1 30,901
1,273 2,192 2 42,834
1,388 1,266 1 33,523
1,992 2,240 1 36,681
1,629 789 2 39,148
1,506 644 1 39,962
1,364 1,450 7 37,700
1,472 974 5 43,979
1,474 3,272 9 43,102
1,468 737 3 45,664
TOTAL SCOPE 2 (MT CO2e) (Indirect Emissions)
138,700 55,100 193,800
135,500 29,400 164,900
115,341 23,404 138,745
105,607 17,238 122,845
73,802 16,892 90,694
84,753 13,247 98,000
85,544 15,954 101,498
64,777 20,310 85,087
72,666 16,193 88,859
61,047 15,705 76,752
35,084 24,746 4,249 64,079
Faculty & Staff Commuting
13,600
14,700
9,845
12,433
23,293
15,330
5,672
9,961
10,482
9,944
10,137
Student Commuting
5,200
5,500
6,064
5,962
12,036
10,318
2,927
2,264
1,928
2,270
2,332
Directly Financed Air Travel
24,800
33,600
23,921
24,706
36,560
10,273
4,018
10,400
29,651
6,187
9,830
Other Directly Financed Travel
100 5,700 1,500 1,600 16,600
50 1,100 1,400 1,400 1,500 13,400
211 775 1,437 136 1,949 7,596
548 4,578 1,522 104 2,441 5,523
582 8,816 1,454 102 729 4,575
1,593 3,489 1,793 107 509 5,509
683 153 1,413 353 167 2,861 5,395
69,100
72,650
51,934
57,817
88,147
48,919
23,642
1,140 626 1,445 510 214 5,141 4,417 14,122 50,238
3,812 765 1,607 542 241 6,803 4,876 16,772 77,481
2,059 971 2,094 467 252 6,938 4,932 15,488 51,602
1,759 1,418 2,563 615 213 7,691 3,328 17,562 57,448
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19.4
0
0
0
273,400
268,451
233,513
214,185
215,522
186,068
165,101
173,006
210,319
171,455
167,192
SCOPE 1
TOTAL SCOPE 1 (MT CO2e) (Direct Emissions) Purchased Electricity SCOPE 2
Purchased Steam
Chilled Water
SCOPE 3
Study Abroad Air Travel Solid Waste Wastewater Paper Food Transmission & Distribution Losses
FY08
Current FY
Fuel & Energy Related Activities TOTAL SCOPE 3 (MT CO2e) (All Other Emissions) SINKS
Compost
ALL ACCOUNTABLE EMISSIONS (MT CO2e)
FY25
58
References 1) University of Pittsburgh GHG Inventory Reports
• Fiscal Year 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, & 2024 • Sustainable.pitt.edu/plans-progress/climate-action/publications-reports
2) University of Pittsburgh SIMAP Public GHG Emissions Disclosure • UNHsimap.org/public/institution/728
3)
University of Pittsburgh Sustainability GHG Emissions Dashboard • Sustainable.pitt.edu/Dashboard
4)
Greenhouse Gas Protocol
• GHGprotocol.org/standards-guidance 59
FY25 GHG Inventory Authors Please contact the authors with questions or requests: Isabella Cicco
PhD Candidate, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering iac11@pitt.edu Rafaela Goncalves de Almeida Graduate Student, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering rafaela.ga@pitt.edu
Melissa M. Bilec, PhD Co-Director, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation George M. & Eva M. Bevier Endowed Chair, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
mbilec@pitt.edu Aurora Sharrard, PhD Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability, Office of Sustainability asharrard@pitt.edu
Fiscal Year 2025 60
Isabella Cicco
iac11@pitt.edu
Rafaela Goncalves de Almeida
rafaela.ga@pitt.edu
Melissa M. Bilec, PhD
mbilec@pitt.edu
Aurora Sharrard, PhD
asharrard@pitt.edu
Thank you! Questions?
61