To assist the Rockefeller Archive Center establish its Sustainability Program, CCES prepared a Carbon Footprint of the facility and its operations. Marc Karell led a team at the RAC to analyze operations that potentially emit greenhouse gases (GHGs). A baseline carbon footprint of 2016 was developed and trends (increases or decreases of GHG emissions) determined in subsequent years, mainly based on operational changes before and during the COVID pandemic and lockdown. CCES followed the established protocols of the WRI/WBCSD and The Climate Registry. The carbon footprint was for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, as well as two aspects of Scope 3 emissions, which The RAC believes is not null or trivial: GHGs from employee commutation and from downstream transportation of materials. CCES reviewed much historic energy data of the facility, including all electric and oil usage and determined GHG emissions in the baseline and subsequent years and calculated total GHG emissions.

CCES also calculated – following the approved protocol – Scope 3 emissions. CCES prepared a report detailing how GHG emissions were calculated so that The RAC staff can understand and replicate them in the future. CCES presented the findings, including net changes in GHG emissions in recent years. The report also contained five (5) recommended smart actions that would reduce GHG emissions further and be economically beneficial at the same time. The RAC is currently considering these strategies and engaging CCES to be its project manager to implement some or all of them.