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References

Visible links
1. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/index/
2. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/s...
3. https://www.hesa.ac.uk/
4. https://www.jisc.ac.uk/tailored-datasets
5. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/secretary/foi/

Dear Miss Shotton,

Freedom of Information Request (our reference FOI20-456)

We refer to your Freedom of Information request dated 23^rd September. You
requested the following information:

“I am a studying how Universities have reduced their CO2 emissions.

1) I have looked at the most recent 2018/19 Estates HESA data for “Table 3
- Emissions and waste” and field: “Total scope 1 and 2 emission baseline
for 2005 (tonnes CO2e)”.

This field shows a total of 49,994 CO2e for the 2005 emission baseline.

2) However, Bristol’s Universitiy’s Carbon Management Plan says that the
2005 baseline was 47,587 CO2 tonnes.
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/s...

3) The BriteGreen report from April 2014 shows a figure of 48,668 CO2e.

http://www.eauc.org.uk/file_uploads/brit...

Can the University say which one of the figures in 1) – 3) is the correct
baseline information. and that this figure includes the 2011/12 onwards
adjustment.

An adjustment was needed as an alternative Defra measure of equivalent
carbon dioxide (C02e) was applied past 2011/12. This change accounts for
additional Greenhouse Gases, including CH4 and N20 and not just CO2 pre
2011/12.”

University’s Response

Further to Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “Act”) we
confirm that the information requested is partially held by the University
of Bristol (the “University”).

The HESA figure (1) includes Scope 1 and 2 emissions from a relatively
space occupied by the University in the Hospital. This is space that we
occupy but over which we do not have operation control. Thus, the figure
is slightly higher than in the Carbon Management Plan (2)

The Carbon Management Plan figure only includes space over which the
University of Bristol has operational control – buildings where we pay the
bills, can control the temperature, and make systems and fabric changes.
We have not been able to identify where the Brite Green figure (3) comes
from.

The figures in (1) and (2) are slightly higher than we would calculate now
from the DEFRA emissions (even with the change from CO2 to CO2e) as DEFRA
republished grid carbonisation factors for the 2000’s and the 2005/6
figures were determined with the grid carbonisation factors available at
the time.

Since 2007/8, we have had our carbon figures externally audited to
ISO14064 to ensure we are always following best practice and can
demonstrate genuine reductions. We also had an additional annual external
audit when the University was part of the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Internal Review Procedure

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, then you have a
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Your request for an internal review should be sent to
[University of Bristol request email], quoting your FOI reference number.
Alternatively, you could post it to:

Director of Legal Services

Secretary’s Office

University of Bristol

Beacon House

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Bristol

BS8 1QU

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2004.

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The ICO’s contact details are as follows:

The Information Commissioners Office

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Water Lane

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More information can be found at the ICO’s website
at [1]http://www.ico.org.uk

Kind Regards

Freedom of Information Team

University of Bristol

References

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1. http://www.ico.org.uk/