The graph on the next page shows 12 years ( FY2010 through FY2021 ) of GHG emissions .
Three ( 3 ) axes :
• Fiscal Year along the bottom
• Metric Tonnes of CO2 Equivalents ( mtCO2e ) along the left side
• Percentage to Carbon Neutrality by FY2050 on the right .
Bars of Stacked Colors – GHG emissions by category ( mobile , cremations , heat , electricity ) More about the Legend on the Left ( Metric Tonnes of CO2 Equivalents )
• Measuring Mount Auburn ’ s GHG emissions in mtCO2e is the standard of measurement used around the world . Everything that is added to or subtracted from Mount Auburn ’ s carbon footprint uses this scale on the left side of the graph .
• The stacked bars in purple , orange , red and cyan represent totals used during each fiscal year . Each stacked bar equals Mount Auburn ’ s gross carbon footprint for that year .
• These totals are shown in the dashed line called TOTAL GHG Emissions Scope 1 and Scope 2 .
• The line for Renewable Energy Certificates ( RECS ) purchases of renewable energy to offset Mount Auburn ’ s electricity use .
• The thicker green line near the top represents NET GHG Emissions ( Total of the stacked bars minus the RECS ).
Legend for the right side of the graph ranges from ( 100.00 ) to 0.00 ( zero or higher )
• Negative 100 , written as ( 100.00 ), indicates that 100 % of the 2010 carbon-footprint has been ‘ neutralized ’. FY2010 has been selected as the baseline year against which future GHG calculations will be measured . By FY2050 , GHG Emissions goal is to reach this ( 100.00 ) point , carbon-neutrality .
Calculating the Trend Line ( To Carbon Neutrality @ ( 100.00 ))
• The dotted navy-blue line shows the year-to-year change of Net GHG Emissions using this scale of ( 100.00 ) up to 0 ( zero ). For 2010 , the baseline year , there is no change ; therefore , the dotted line starts at zero . It is determined by comparing the change from one year with the previous year . Those changes are summed and then averaged , which produces the linear trend .
• In this chart , the line is trending downward at an average rate of -1.64 %. ( Note on some charts that follow , there is an upward trend ; therefore , the scale goes higher into positive numbers for building heat and cremations ).
It would be great to see an accelerated downward trend ( a curve rather than a straight line ) indicating Mount Auburn is being more aggressive in reducing GHGs early on in this 30-year project . Striving for that accelerated curve now could inspire innovation and provide a longer timeline to achieve the last 10 or 20 %, which is often the most difficult to attain .
Mount Auburn Cemetery | Climate Action & Sustainability Plan 7