JMU uses SIMAP, an accounting platform that tracks and analyzes an institution’s carbon and nitrogen campus footprint to complete its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. JMU uses the GHG inventory to mange GHG risks and identify reduction opportunities.

There was a median emission of 88,195 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) for the fiscal years between 2005 and 2019 inclusive. With the exception of fiscal year 2015, GHG emissions did not change significantly over the last decade. This trend is in spite of the significant growth of the university during that same period. Fiscal year 2015 was an outlier for GHG emissions due to the transitioning from the combustion of trash to produce steam to the burning of natural gas to produce steam. Overlaps during this transition lead to the higher emissions observed in the graph.

The line graph above shows JMU’s emissions normalized by gross square footage (GSF). A general decrease in net MTCDE was observed during the period from fiscal year 2005 to fiscal year 2019 inclusive. The emissions ranged from a high of 18.1 MTCDE per 1000 GSF in 2005 to a low of 11.8 MTCDE per 1000 GSF in 2019. This decline can be attributed to the construction of greener buildings on campus and a general push towards sustainability. 

The graph above shows GHG emissions in proportions to their share of the total GHG emissions at JMU in fiscal year 2019.On-campus stationary accounted for a plurality of the total emissions with a share of 44%. Purchased electricity accounted for 40% of the total emissions. Purchased steam/chilled water which accounted for a significant proportion of GHG emissions in the past was completely phased out after 2015.