Duke University Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Data System Improvements

Timeline

2025

Summer 2025

Description

Affiliated Program

Summary

This Climate+ project focused on streamlining and automating Duke’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions tracking system, which had previously relied on manual data collection and fragmented workflows. The student team worked with the Office of Climate and Sustainability (OCS) to centralize emissions data from multiple sources like Excel sheets, PDFs and emails. The aim was to improve data accessibility, accuracy and long-term sustainability tracking. Through a combination of automated workflows using Power Automate, emission factor extraction via Python scripts, and tracking data through Forms on Microsoft Sharepoint, the project supported the OCS’s mission to make greenhouse gas accounting processes with campus stakeholders more efficient.

Goals

Automate the data collection and processing of key emission sources to reduce manual workload and human error.
Centralize emissions data and create a GHG Datahub (website) for a more transparent and efficient reporting system.
Improve accuracy in emissions calculations by extracting and standardizing emission factors from verified sources.
Design a replicable and sustainable system that can be maintained with minimal technical expertise.

Experience and Learning Outcomes

As a student team, our project experience began with exploring Duke’s current greenhouse gas (GHG) calculation system through meetings with staff stakeholders and reviewing internal documentation. We quickly identified key challenges like manual data entry and decentralized reporting which guided us to set a clear goal: automate the GHG tracking process and enhance data accessibility.
Throughout the summer, we collaborated on activities such as mapping institutional emission sources, building Power Automate workflows to streamline data collection, and creating an interactive GHG Data Hub dashboard where users can view emissions trends and download datasets. We contributed to both the technical and analytical aspects of the project, applying skills in computer science, data visualization, and sustainability research.
The key learning outcomes for our team included gaining hands-on experience with workflow automation, scripting for data extraction, and stakeholder communication. We developed practical skills in managing data processes in a real-world institutional context. One major takeaway was realizing how essential interdisciplinary teamwork is in solving real-world environmental challenges. We also learned to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders, manage project timelines, and problem-solve through technical roadblocks.

Student Recommendations

To advance the project goals, students recommend that OCS continue investing in automation and centralized data systems to maintain the accuracy and efficiency of Duke’s GHG tracking process. Refining data submission protocols and improving communication between departments who submit data will help sustain the system in the long term.
Students also suggest expanding the GHG Data Hub by incorporating more contextual information to further increase transparency and engagement. Incentives that encourage data providers to submit their information promptly can be put into force as this will enhance the efficiency of the OCS data collection process.
Additionally, administrative intervention will still be important to review data segments to ensure the accuracy of calculations related to employee travel.
Additional research may be needed to assess user experience with the Data Hub and to explore integration with other campus sustainability data platforms.
The students emphasized that regular evaluations and feedback loops will be essential for ensuring the system remains relevant, user-friendly and impactful.

Students

Ivy Geng, Nruta Choudhari, Tanya Singh

Supporters

Matthew Arsenault, Assistant Director of Carbon Management, Office of Climate and Sustainability

Keyu Li

Links

Climate+ Duke Rhodes iiD

GHG dashboard