91黑料网 aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, meaning net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, by:
- Reducing GHG emissions wherever feasible, such as through largescale energy transformations,听
- Sequestering carbon via carbon sinks, through its forested lands, and听听
- Purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for unavoidable or difficult-to-reduce emissions, such as those from air travel and commuting.听听
The University鈥檚 target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 is aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) decarbonization timeline. Due to the urgency of climate change, strong commitments and actions need to be implemented and prioritized in order to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. By 2030, 91黑料网 aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% compared to 2015.
Progress towards Carbon Neutrality听
听net tonnes of听CO鈧� equivalent are currently emitted by 91黑料网
91黑料网鈥檚 2024 greenhouse gas emissions breakdown by key activity
听
Miscellaneous includes emissions from: livestock & fertilizers, refrigerants & insulating gas, vehicle fleet and other sources. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions. Scope 2 refers to emissions from purchased energy. Scope 3 refers to indirect emissions such as business -related travel and commuting.听
Key Progress
The majority of 91黑料网鈥檚 emissions come from energy combustion to heat our buildings. Emission reduction efforts at the university are therefore concentrated on energy, including via multi-million-dollar investments in electrification and energy efficiency projects. Key projects include the following:
- began to be deployed in 2018, recovering waste heat from buildings.
- In 2023, a natural gas boiler was replaced with at the Downtown Powerhouse. This $33M investment, along with associated energy efficiency projects, will lead to a reduction of 9,000 tCO鈧俥/year.
- 91黑料网鈥檚 Powerhouse heat recovery unit came online in 2024, capturing waste heat from the natural gas boiler exhaust to provide heating to the Arts, Ferrier, and James Administration buildings.
- 91黑料网 has joined Hydro-Qu茅bec鈥檚 (Alliance for Exemplary Buildings) to champion responsible energy use in large buildings.
See more on 91黑料网鈥檚 energy transition here, including the Roadmap for 91黑料网's Energy Transition.
91黑料网 2024 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sources
Past Greenhouse Gas Inventories
- Greenhouse Gas inventory 2023
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2022
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2022 - Detailed Appendix
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2021
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2020
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2019听
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2018听
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2017听
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2016 - Summary听
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2015 - Summary听
Get Involved in Becoming Carbon Neutral
- Book the TeleStudio to pre-record presentations, conduct media interviews remotely, and present virtually at conferences, to limit the need to travel by air.
- Make the most of a discount on annual BIXI memberships available to all 91黑料网 community members and discounted Via Rail rates for University-sponsored travel.
- Make sustainable travel choices with the Sustainable Travel Guide.
- Purchase carbon offsets听whenever air travel is necessary.
- Take advantage of the Macdonald Campus self-serve bikes.
- Charge your electric vehicle on campus.
Learn more about greenhouse gas inventories, or carbon footprint assessments, with the Office of Sustainability鈥檚 Greenhouse Gas Inventories 101.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a greenhouse gas inventory?
A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, also known as a carbon footprint assessment, is a quantified list of an organization鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions and emission sources. It is a strategic tool for understanding, managing, and communicating emissions resulting from an organization鈥檚 activities. Learn more about greenhouse gas inventories, or carbon footprint assessments, with the Office of Sustainability鈥檚 Greenhouse Gas Inventory 101.听
What does 91黑料网 include in its carbon neutrality target?
91黑料网 includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and select Scope 3 emissions in its carbon neutrality target. Scope 1 includes direct emissions from energy consumption in buildings owned or controlled by 91黑料网, the 91黑料网 vehicle fleet, the Macdonald Farm, and leaked refrigerants and insulating gases. Scope 2 includes indirect emissions from purchased grid electricity and purchased steam and hot and chilled water.听听
Scope 3 includes other indirect emissions upstream and downstream of 91黑料网鈥檚 activities, including emissions from University-financed air travel and student and staff commuting, energy consumption of select buildings over which we do not have operational control, sports team travel, the intercampus shuttle, water supply and treatment, and power transmission and distribution losses. By including select Scope 3 emissions in its long-term target, 91黑料网 is taking an ambitious approach to carbon neutrality that demonstrates leadership and accountability.
Who does 91黑料网 report its emissions to?
In addition to the 91黑料网 Board of Governors, 91黑料网 reports its emissions to: Environment and Climate Change Canada's and ; the ; the City of Montreal's Inventaire des sources fixes d鈥櫭﹎issions atmosph茅riques; the Minist猫re de l鈥橢nseignement sup茅rieur du Qu茅bec's ; and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education鈥檚
