The University of Georgia Costa Rica 2014-2015 Sustainability Report UGA Costa Rica 2014 - 2015 Sustainability Report | Page 22

Total Annual Carbon Offsets
from Reforestation Program
(tonnes of CO2 emissions)

Total Annual Carbon Emissions
(offsets in tonnes of CO2)

25%

325.64

- 77.99

50%

217.09

30.56

75%

108.54

139.11

Mortality Rate

Just as in the previous carbon footprint assessment,
the vast majority of carbon offsets stem from the trees
planted through the reforestation program, with the
carbon fixation rate estimated based on location,
surrounding land use, life zone category, and the
assumed 25% mortality rate. Even though precautions
are taken to help ensure the survival of trees, not every
one survives to maturity. Since over 34,000 trees have
been planted, the potential variation in total carbon
fixated may be high. In the future, when enough
data has been collected through the reforestation
monitoring program, results will be more accurate.
To provide multiple scenarios, we have calculated
carbon offsets by percentage while employing a 25, 50,
and 75% mortality rate. Which scenario is used has a
significant impact on whether or not UGA Costa Rica
achieved carbon neutrality.
With a 25% mortality rate of trees, the same metric
used in the 2012 analysis, the campus far surpasses
carbon neutral status, offsetting a total of 77.99 tonnes
of carbon dioxide annually. However, if the mortality

rate is higher than our assumed 25%, the carbon
neutrality status of the campus is unclear. The campus
biodigester, which did not exist at the time of the
previous analysis, offsets an estimated 24.06 tonnes of
CO2 emissions annually.
Reduced propane consumption on campus has
aided our efforts in limiting emissions. Between the
2012 analysis and the 2014 analysis, annual carbon
emissions from propane consumption fell from 19.06
tonnes to 13.10 tonnes, a decrease of 31 percent.
Although the results of this carbon neutrality study
are not exact, they provide a good estimation of how
the campus is progressing in terms of its goal of being
carbon neutral. Using the same model year after
year enables the campus to track its performance
consistently while allowing new projects to be easily
incorporated. As the campus plans to expand the
reforestation project and continues to reduce campus
emissions to the extent possible, UGA Costa Rica will
be able to remain carbon neutral for years to come.

86+6+1L
UGACR’s 2014
Carbon Offsets by
Percent

Reforestation Program

86.70%

Campus Biogas Digester

6.40%

Farm Biogas Digester

5.70%

Waste Treatment: Recycling
Waste Treatment: Composting

1.00%
0.20%

(25% Tree Mortality Rate)

86.70 percent of the UGACR campus
carbon emmissions were offset by the
reforestation program.

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University of Georgia Costa Rica