Queen’s University Decreases Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Published on: 2011/02/13 - in Releases

An inventory of Queen’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has found that the university’s emissions dropped by roughly nine per cent from 2008 to 2009.

The 2009 inventory aligns with Queen’s commitment to establish benchmarks for green house gas emissions under the University and College Presidents’ Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada. It has been one year since Principal Daniel Woolf signed the agreement, which includes a number of commitments related to sustainability over the next several years.

“Any and all reductions in emissions are a very positive step in the right direction,” says Ann Browne, Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities). “It is important to remember, however, that factors such as the weather, using more natural gas, and the addition of new buildings cause those numbers to fluctuate from year to year.”

Queen’s campus emissions dropped from to 61,190 tonnes of CO2e in 2008 to 55,658 tonnes in 2009.

The inventory accounts for GHG emissions during the 2009 fiscal year, May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010, and follows reporting guidelines as established by the World Resource Institute. Inventory results are integral to the university’s plans to reduce its GHG emissions by providing a year over year measurement to chart progress and identify areas for improvement.

Queen’s currently has a number of sustainability-related initiatives underway, including the installation of more solar panels on campus and the end of bottled water sales in September 2012.

To read the inventory report, visit the Sustainability Office website.