Emissions Mitigation

Working Towards Fleet Electrification

Scope 1

Over 50% of Stanford’s fleet vehicles are electric, with an increasing number of hybrid options. The fleet includes all- electric buses, known as the Marguerite shuttle which includes 41 all-electric buses, providing free, year-round service that connects campus to regional transit, shopping, and neighborhoods.

Sustainable Commuting Options

Scope 3

Over 44% of commuters to Stanford are selecting sustainable commute modes to campus such as biking, vanpooling, carpooling, and public transit. Stanford tracks commute-related emissions using data collected through surveys and parking permits to understand and further mitigate the environmental impact of both student and employee travel.

Sustainable Practices for University-Sponsored Travel

Scope 3

Stanford’s Travel Tips are a toolkit of ways staff, faculty, and students can reduce emissions when travelling. The Stanford community is encouraged to opt for virtual meetings, choose economy and direct flights, combine trips, use public transport, and pack light to reduce the carbon emissions of travel.

Leading in Sustainable Energy

Scope 1 and 2

The Central Energy Facility and our commitment to 100% renewable electricity has reduced campus emissions by 81% from 2011 peak levels. The Facility houses three heat recovery water tanks, a high- voltage substation linked to the grid and a heat recovery system that uses heat recovery to provide Stanford with sustainable, cost efficient, thermal energy for building heating and cooling.

Procuring 100% renewable electricity is largely made possible by two solar power purchase agreements which often generate enough renewable electricity to offset our campus’s electricity use. 

Reducing Embodied Carbon through Sustainable Construction

Scope 3

Stanford’s whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA) quantifies the embodied carbon of all new construction and major renovation projects. The WBLCA measures construction emissions including raw material extraction, manufacturing, material transport, and onsite installation. Strategies like material reuse, low-carbon concrete, and efficient design reduce the embodied carbon in construction projects at Stanford.

Refrigerants and Research Gas

Scope 1

Emissions from research gasses may come from engineering or laboratory research, while emissions from refrigerants may come from building and equipment cooling (e.g. air conditioning, freezers, refrigerators, etc.) Stanford provides resources to laboratory staff to incentivize them to perform maintenance on their refrigerators and freezers, which includes monitoring and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Stanford also provides rebates for energy efficient laboratory freezers. All eligible freezer models use refrigerants with relatively low potential for emissions.

Tracking Waste to Tackle Emissions

Scope 3

Stanford aims to create a wasteless community by developing systems that reduce waste and drive behavior towards waste reduction, reuse, and proper sorting. Through waste reduction and waste diversion efforts, Stanford is reducing the emissions associated with waste generation.

Purchasing

Scope 3

Stanford Procurement Services provides the Stanford community with tools and resources to support sustainable procurement, partnering with leading suppliers to reduce emissions. By focusing on high-volume product categories—including MedLab equipment, IT, food, furniture, and carpet—the program promotes a more sustainable supply chain.