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Estates management 2021/22 - Scope 3 carbon emissions from wasteScope3CarbonEmissionsFromWaste

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Estates management 2021/22

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Scope 3 carbon emissions from waste


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Typeentity
Short nameScope3CarbonEmissionsFromWaste
Description

The fields in this entity contain data about scope 3 carbon emissions from waste.

Applicable toEngland Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
Coverage

All higher education providers (HEPs).

Notes

This is scope 3 emissions in total greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes) associated with the production and treatment of waste.

Exclude emissions relating to commercial space.

Following the 2008 Climate Change Act, the UK government bodies and Higher Education Funding Councils developed strategies for reducing carbon emissions in higher education. These include a commitment to consistency in the reporting of Scope 3 data, which lead to the voluntary collection of scope 3 emissions through the Estates Management record. For consistency across the sector, HEFCE have provided guidance on measuring scope 3 carbon emissions. Further details of policies on reducing carbon emissions by country can be found below.

England - Carbon reduction target and strategy for higher education in England.

Wales - Carbon Management Policy.

Scotland - Public Sector Sustainability Reporting Guidance.

Northern Ireland - Carbon Reduction.

Identifying scope 3 waste emissions

In this context treatment methods include recycling, composting, energy recovery from waste, anaerobic digestion and landfill.

The data collection amongst HEPs in relation to waste and recycling data is varied. As a result of this diversity in quantity and quality of waste data a tiered approach is available for HEPs to use internally:

  • basic approach: where waste data is very limited for both residential and non-residential properties
  • medium approach: where waste data and recycling data is available for non-residential and/or residential buildings
  • detailed approach: where good quality waste in-house data is available

HEPs should identify which approach is most appropriate depending on the quality of available data.

To calculate carbon emissions from waste, the waste mass needs to be broken down into the relevant waste fraction and multiplied by their corresponding Defra/DECC life cycle conversion factors for waste treatment and disposal.

Emission conversion factors

Prior to the 2011/12 Estates Management Statistics record, the conversion factor used was based on carbon dioxide (C02) per unit. However, from the 2011/12 Estates Management Statistics record onwards, the alternative Defra measure of equivalent carbon dioxide (C02e) is used instead. This change accounts for additional Greenhouse Gases, including CH4 and N20.

The Defra conversion factors and guidance provide the conversion factors as well as supplemental information. Furthermore, HEFCE scope 3 carbon emissions guidance was commissioned to help the higher education sector in measuring and reporting scope 3 carbon emissions. Providers should note that conversion calculations give an answer in kilograms. For the EMR, HEFCE has advised that the figure should be returned in metric tonnes, hence you will need to divide the result of your calculation by 1000.

All waste types that have associated conversion factors should be included. Hazardous waste should be excluded as there are no conversion factors available.

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OwnerHESA
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