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REPORTING METHODS Defining Our Footprint In 2006, NOLS identified the need for a comprehensive, schoolwide vision to reduce our environmental footprint and evaluate our progress. A year later, in 2007, we contracted with Pure Strategies, a greenhouse gas consulting firm, to conduct a sustainability audit for the school. The audit evaluated NOLS’ current practices, established a 2006 baseline footprint, and recommended improvements to reduce that footprint. This baseline footprint considered GHG sources within the Scope 1 and 2 boundaries but did not account for all emission sources related to NOLS operations.
Calculating Our GHG Footprint To improve the data-collection process, NOLS looked to Carbon Tracker, a web-based software developed by Pure Strategies. We began using Carbon Tracker in 2009 to log our resource use and have continued with this method to calculate our GHG footprint for each subsequent fiscal year. Our system relies primarily on contributions from employees at each NOLS location. Employees are trained to input data on fuel, travel, and buildingrelated energy usage. Measurements are subject to some margin of error; however, this method provides us with a reliable enough estimate for us to understand our GHG footprint and keep working to reduce it.
NOLS FY16 GHG EMISSIONS REPORT
GHG Footprint Components Included in our footprint: Scope 1
• building energy (leased and owned) • vehicles (leased and owned) • white gas fuel
Scope 2
• electricity
Scope 3
• student travel during course • in-town staff travel • outsourced rerations, evacuations, and drop-offs/pick-ups
Not currently included in our footprint: • • • • •
faculty travel commuting student travel to NOLS courses short-term rented facility emissions emissions from purchased materials
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