LUH's greenhouse gas balance is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). This is a standardized method of greenhouse gas accounting, whereby emissions are categorized into three scopes. Scope 1 represents direct emissions, Scope 2 includes indirect emissions and Scope 3 a whole range of other indirect emissions from upstream and downstream processes that arise in connection with our activities outside the university. The accounting framework was drawn up in such a way that all energy consumption by third-party users is not taken into account. Among others, this applies to the TIB foundation and the areas used by the student union.
Considering the preceding graph, it could be concluded that Leibniz University produced more CO2 emissions in 2024 than in the previous year. This however is not entirely correct. The problem with compiling greenhouse gas balances lies in the availability of data for comiling the Scope 3 emissions. By tapping into new data sources, the accounting framework and transparency are continously improved, bringing it closer to the actual emissions generated by the LUH
For the first time emissions from commuting of the employeed and students were included in the 2024 balance sheet. Additionally, data on on centrally procured good such as IT products, office furniture and hygiene paper were included in the balance. These two items alone account for an increase of approximately 2000t CO2eq in 2024.
Scope 1-3 contents
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Scope 1 - direct emissions
The following was taken into account:
- Gas purchase
- Pellets
- Vehicle fleet
- Refrigerant
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Scope 2 - indirect emissions
We currently use the market-based method. This approach means that the switch from conventional electricity generation to green electricity, which we completed in 2017, has a very positive impact on the balance sheet. As a result, the CO₂ impact for the majority of the electricity consumed can be set to 0. Only the “Campus Maschinenbau Garbsen (CMG)” site has so far been supplied conventionally. However, since 2025 we have been using green electricity here as well.
To improve comparability, the greenhouse gas balance will be expanded in future to include the location-based method. In this context, we will balance our electricity volumes in a separate list with the emission factor for the German electricity mix.The following was taken into account:
- electricity
- district heating
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Scope 3 - indirect emissions from upstream and downstream processes
The following was taken into account:
- Gas procurement (upstream chains)
- Electricity procurement (federal electricity mix upstream chains)
- Electricity procurement (green electricity upstream chains)
- Electricity production PV systems (upstream chains)
- District heating (upstream chains)
- Peletts (upstream chains)
- Fresh water & Waste water
- Business trips by employees
- Stays abroad by students
- Paper
- Waste
- Centrally procured office furniture
- Centrally procured laptops, docking stations, monitors
- Centrally procured cleaning agents
- Centrally procured hygiene paper
- Centrally procured liquid nitrogen
- Commuting mobility
Due to a growing database, Scope 3 will be continuously developed in the coming years.
