Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Physical Planning, Development & Operations

Energy Management is responsible for greenhouse gas reporting of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Scope 1 is “direct” emissions from fuel combustion on campus – namely emissions from the cogeneration plant, campus boilers, emergency and standby generators, and campus vehicles. Scope 2 is “indirect” emissions from fuel combustion off campus for campus energy – so any emissions associated with our purchased electricity. UCSC proudly has zero Scope 2 emissions for the main campus, and will have zero Scope 2 emissions for any satellite campus as of 2026. Scope 3, “life cycle” emissions, which includes commuting, university air travel, and campus waste-related emissions, are tracked and reported by the Sustainability Office.

In 2024, UCSC had 31,349 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) Scope 1 emissions, which is equivalent to 7,312 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year. See UCSC’s full 2024 Sustainability Report and explore the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

UCSC Energy Management reports emissions to the following entities:

The Climate Registry – third party verified report here
California Air Resources Board – third party verified report here
University of California Office of the President – annual report here
U.S. Energy Information Administration
California Energy Commission

Interested in helping reduce campus emissions? Check out UCSC’s Sustainability & Climate Action Plan, Decarbonization & Electrification Plan, or apply for a Carbon Fund grant!