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Campuses participating in C2P2 can use the following templates to determine eligibility, calculate potential carbon offsets, and complete required project documentation. These templates all support the Campus Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency carbon offset methodology (VM0025) through the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).
For questions and guidance about using these templates please contact Meredith Leigh at [email protected].
Through VM0025 colleges and universities can generate carbon offsets through campus-wide emissions reductions following the Campus-Wide Module. The documents below are used to support project development and offset calculation under the campus-wide model.
There are four Excel templates that can be completed to determine schools’ eligibility to generate offsets, and the volume of offsets possible. Schools will need their Scope 1 Stationary Combustion emissions, their Scope 2 Electricity emissions, and the campus square footage to complete these templates.
Schools can use this Excel template to calculate eligibility and carbon offsets based on Stationary Scope 1 emissions reductions achieved across campus.
Download Stationary Scope 1 Template
Campuses where the square footage has changed more than 5% annually during the project must adjust for this change. This template calculates Stationary Scope 1 emissions that are adjusted for changes in campus square footage. The Stationary Scope 1 template above should be completed first to determine whether the square foot adjustment is necessary.
Download Stationary Scope 1 SQ FT ADJ Template
Schools can use this Excel template to calculate eligibility and carbon offsets based on Scope 2 Purchased Electricity emissions reductions achieved across campus.
Download Scope 2 Purchased Electricity Template
Campuses where the square footage has changed more than 5% annually during the project must adjust for this change. This template calculates Scope 2 Purchased Electricity emissions that are adjusted for changes in campus square footage. The Scope 2 template above should be completed first to determine whether the square foot adjustment is necessary.
Download Scope 2 Purchased Electricity SQ FT VAR Template
Schools generating carbon offsets through Scope 1 Stationary emissions reductions, or Scope 2 Purchased Electricity emissions reductions (or both) can complete these templates to fulfill VCS project documentation requirements. The data needed to fill out these documents is generated by the Excel templates above.
The first step to develop a certified carbon offset project is to complete a Project Description Document (PDD). The PDD is completed once, at the start of a project, and needs to be validated by an accredited third-party validator. The PDD outlines details of the project, technology and activities employed to achieve emissions reductions, and anticipated offsets.
Download Campus-wide PDD Template
Schools generating carbon offsets need to complete a Monitoring Report (MR) each time they wish to verify their emissions reductions. The MR needs to be verified by an accredited third-party verifier. For C2P2 projects this is typically completed on a yearly basis.
Download Campus-wide MR Template
Through VM0025 colleges and universities also have the option to generate carbon offsets through emissions reductions resulting from LEED certified buildings. The LEED-Certified Buildings Module allows for offsets from both newly constructed LEED buildings and existing buildings that are retrofit to improve performance and achieve LEED certification. The documents below are used to support project development and offset calculation under the LEED building model.
This template can be used to determine eligibility and potential carbon offsets for LEED buildings, including both the new construction and existing building options. Schools should use the EPA Target Finder tool to generate the carbon emission profiles that need to be entered into the Excel template.
Download the LEED Building Excel Template
LEED carbon offset projects must also complete a Project Description Document (PDD). The PDD is completed once, at the start of a project, and needs to be validated by an accredited third-party validator. The PDD outlines details of the LEED project and how the building is expected to perform.
Because LEED projects typically generate less carbon offsets than campus-wide projects, schools may choose to develop a group project. Grouped projects may include LEED certified buildings from multiple campuses. There are PDD templates available for both “Individual Building” projects and for “Grouped” projects.
Download LEED Individual Building PDD Template
Download LEED Grouped Project PDD Template
Schools generating carbon offsets from LEED buildings also need to complete a Monitoring Report (MR) each time they wish to verify their emissions reductions. The MR needs to be verified by an accredited third-party verifier. For C2P2 projects this is typically completed on a yearly basis. Similar to the PDD, there are two options for the LEED building MR templates. One is for “Individual Building” projects and one is for “Grouped” projects.
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