The university is committed to net zero emissions by 2050. Scope 1 and 2 emissions—those associated with natural gas, electricity, and university-owned fleet—have been reduced by 80% from peak levels. Stanford’s updated Climate Action Plan (expected 2026) will outline strategies to mitigate remaining greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 3, and address adaptation and resilience.
Total metric tons of CO2e emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by year
Metric tons of CO2e emissions of remaining natural gas by year
Metric tons of CO2e emissions by year, filtered by Scope 1 and 2 sources
Metric tons of CO2e emissions per square foot by year, with reference line of total building square footage by year
Total metric tons of CO2e emissions for Scope 3 in 2024
Total metric tons of CO2e emissions from business travel by year
Metric tons of CO2e emissions from business travel by year, filtered by sector
Total metric tons of CO2e emissions by scope for 2024
- Scope 1 and 2 categories are verified emissions calculated by applying emissions factors to data sources including utility, fuel, and transportation data. Calculations are verified by a third party annually per The Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol, including simplified emission estimation (de minimis equivalent). Scope 1 and 2 emissions reported includes all Stanford owned and operated buildings and assets in North America. Stanford’s peak Scope 1 and 2 emissions occurred in 2011, coinciding with a significant increase in the amount of leased space included in both this inventory and future ones. For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, Stanford uses the Global Warming Potential (GWP) standard consistent with the most recently available Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report in each respective emissions year.
- Under the Scope 1 category, data from fugitive and process emissions were combined in 2011 through 2018.
- Under the Scope 2 category, purchased electricity emissions are calculated using Market-Based method, which takes into account the impacts renewable electricity procurement has on reducing calculated emissions. Purchased electricity emissions in 2017 reflect a full year of operation of the new Central Energy Facility, as well as Stanford’s first full year of emissions reduction due to its procurement of 65% renewable electricity credits from its first solar generating station, on-campus solar, and unbundled renewable electricity credits. Purchased electricity emissions in 2023 reflect Stanford’s first full year of emissions reduction due to its procurement of 100% renewable electricity credits from its second solar generating station and unbundled renewable electricity credits.
- For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, building square footage served by Central Energy Facility hot water increased ~26% from 2019 to 2022, prompting increased stationary combustion emissions. The impact of this was largely unrealized until ~2022 due to reduced occupancy during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
- For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, building square footage numbers include the main Stanford campus, the hospital, and other facilities that Stanford serves for energy.
- Scope 3 categories are estimated emissions calculated by applying an emissions factor to best available data including spend-based, procurement, survey, and/ or square footage data. Emissions from all food purchases are included in the Purchased Goods & Services category.
- Under the Scope 3 category, business travel emissions shown here include emissions from air travel only. Air travel emissions are calculated using procurement data. Arrival and departure airports for each flight are used to calculate the distance flown, and airline-specific emissions factors are applied along with a radiative forcing factor to calculate emissions. Distance-based emissions factors from the EPA are used when airline-specific emissions factors are not available. Emissions are then parsed by business unit, and each business unit is assigned as Operations, Academics, or Athletics according to its primary function.
Scope 1 Emissions – Direct on-premise fossil fuel combustion and other direct greenhouse gas emissions
Scope 2 Emissions – Off-premise emissions from purchased grid electricity
Scope 3 Emissions – From sources that occur as a result of an institution’s operations but are from sources not owned or directly controlled by the institution
MTCO2e – Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
Central Energy Facility (CEF) – The university’s primary energy system for the campus. The facility houses three heat recovery water tanks, a high-voltage substation linked to the grid, and a heat recovery system.
Non-Central Energy Facility (Non-CEF) – Other energy sources for certain buildings
Stationary Combustion – Emissions from on-site fossil fuel combustion from the equipment owned or operated by Stanford that remains in a fixed location, such as gas boilers, hot water generators, and gas stoves.
Process – Emissions from on-site chemicals or processes that are not used in industrial equipment. At Stanford, these are emissions from the use of laboratory research chemicals and gases.
Mobile Combustion – Emissions from on-site fossil fuel combustion from equipment owned or operated by Stanford that may move, such as gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, trucks, and buses.
Fugitive – Emissions of gases from the operation or maintenance used in on-site equipment. At Stanford, these are primarily emissions from HVAC units, chillers, refrigerators, and freezers.
Purchased Electricity, Market-Based – Emissions that occur off-site from electricity purchased from utility providers. At Stanford, this electricity is used to power equipment at facilities owned and operated by the university.
Purchased Heating, Market-Based – Emissions that occur off-site from heating purchased from utility providers. At Stanford, these are emissions from the heating used in buildings that the university leases from others.
Business Travel – Scope 3 emissions from business travel are defined as greenhouse gas emissions that stem from all university-sponsored air travel, including faculty & staff travel, student athlete travel, and student and visitor travel sponsored by the university.