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Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus with Sustainability Initiatives

Year 2021, Volume: 34 Issue: 3, 652 - 663, 01.09.2021
https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.726553

Abstract

Carbon footprint of a 10-year old university campus is estimated using IPCC Tier 1 Methodology. Key sources and sinks that cause carbon emissions were identified. Electricity, fuel, food and paper consumption were considered as the key items that would increase the emissions. Trees and recycling practices were considered as the key items that would reduce the emissions. Through communication with campus staff and data collection, annual consumption/production data were compiled in a spreadsheet application that uses these data to estimate the amount of carbon that is emitted per year. It was demonstrated that there has been a reduction in the carbon emissions between 2011 and 2017 due to the sustainability initiatives that were launched during that time in the campus. To analyze future years and address the uncertainty in the data, the spreadsheet allows to perform a probabilistic estimation through Monte Carlo simulation and analysis.

Supporting Institution

Middle East Technical University - Northern Cyprus Campus

Project Number

FEN-16-D-2

References

  • [1] Solomon, S., Platter, G. K., Knutti, R., Friedlingstein, P., “Irreversible climate change due to carbon dioxide emissions”, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 106: 1704-1709, (2009).
  • [2] Turanli, A. M, “Estimation of carbon footprint: a case study for Middle East Technical University”, M.Sc. Thesis, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, (2015).
  • [3] Wackernagel, M., Onisto, L., Bello, P., Linares, A. C., López Falfán, I. S., Garcı́a, J. M., Suárez Guerrero, A. I., Suárez Guerrero, M. G., “National natural capital accounting with the ecological footprint concept”, Ecol. Econ., 29, 375-390, (1999).
  • [4] Wackernagel, M., Schulz, B., Deumling, D. Linares, A. C., Jenkins, M., Kapos, V., Monfreda, C., Loh, J., Myers, N., Norgaard, R. and Randers, J., “Tracking the ecological overshoot of the human economy”, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 99(14): 9266-9271, (2002).
  • [5] Wiedmann, T., Minx, J., Barrett, J., Wackernagelc, M., “Allocating ecological footprints to final consumption categories with input-output analysis”, Ecol. Econ. 56(1): 28-48, (2006).
  • [6] Wright, L., Kemp, S., Williams, I., “Carbon footprinting: towards a universally accepted definition”, Carbon Manag., 2(1): 61-72, (2011).
  • [7] Galli, A., Wiedmann, T., Ercin, E., Knoblauch, D., Ewing, B., Giljum, S., “Integrating ecological, carbon and water footprint into a ‘footprint family’ of indicators: definition and role in tracking human pressure on the planet”, Ecol. Ind., 16: 100-112, (2012).
  • [8] Univ. of Mount Union, “University of Mount Union sustainability plan - incorporating a climate action plan”, (2010).
  • [9] Colby College, “Green Colby Initiative”, Colby College, Waterville, Maine, USA. http://www.colby.edu/green/ Access date: 20.04.2020.
  • [10] Univ. of New Hampshire “Campus Carbon Calculator v. 6.5 User's Guide”, (2010).
  • [11] Taylor, B. “Colgate University’s 2008-09 Comprehensive Carbon Inventory”, (2010).
  • [12] IPCC, “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Third Assessment Report”, Switzerland, (2001).
  • [13] IPCC, “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) National Greenhouse Gas Inventories - Guidelines”, Japan, (2006).
  • [14] IPCC, “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Fourth Assessment Report” Switzerland, (2007).
  • [15] METU NCC, Official Web Site, General Information https://ncc.metu.edu.tr/general-information Access date: 13.02.2020.
  • [16] KKTC YÖDAK, Official Web Site, Universities https://yodak.gov.ct.tr/%C3%9Cniversitelerimiz Access date: 13.02.2020.
  • [17] Times Higher Education – World University Rankings Wb Site, Top universities with the best student-to-staff ratio 2020, https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/top-universities-best-student-staff-ratio Access date: 13.02.2020.
  • [18] METU NCC, “Green Campus Initiative: Green Campus Strategy Document”, Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus, Kalkanli-Guzelyurt, TRNC, (2013).
  • [19] METU NCC, “Annual Reports 2011-2016”, Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus, Kalkanli-Guzelyurt, TRNC, (2011).
  • [20] WNA, “Comparison of greenhouse gas emissions of various electricity generation sources” World Nuclear Association Report, (2011).
  • [21] EPA. “Emission factors for greenhouse gas inventories” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report, (2014).
  • [22] Boeing, “Boeing 737 NG Performance Summary”, Boeing Report, Chicago, Illinois, USA, (2007).
  • [23] ATS, “Paper & the environment, myths and realities”, ATS Consulting Report (2007).
  • [24] http://www.greeneatz.com/foods-carbon-footprint.html Access date: 20.04.2020
  • [25] https://tappwater.co/us/carbon-footprint-bottled-water/ Access date: 20.04.2020
  • [26] Espinoza-Orias, N,, Stichnothe, H., Azapagic, A. “The carbon footprint of bread”. Int J Life Cycle Assess, 16: 351-365, (2011).
Year 2021, Volume: 34 Issue: 3, 652 - 663, 01.09.2021
https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.726553

Abstract

Project Number

FEN-16-D-2

References

  • [1] Solomon, S., Platter, G. K., Knutti, R., Friedlingstein, P., “Irreversible climate change due to carbon dioxide emissions”, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 106: 1704-1709, (2009).
  • [2] Turanli, A. M, “Estimation of carbon footprint: a case study for Middle East Technical University”, M.Sc. Thesis, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, (2015).
  • [3] Wackernagel, M., Onisto, L., Bello, P., Linares, A. C., López Falfán, I. S., Garcı́a, J. M., Suárez Guerrero, A. I., Suárez Guerrero, M. G., “National natural capital accounting with the ecological footprint concept”, Ecol. Econ., 29, 375-390, (1999).
  • [4] Wackernagel, M., Schulz, B., Deumling, D. Linares, A. C., Jenkins, M., Kapos, V., Monfreda, C., Loh, J., Myers, N., Norgaard, R. and Randers, J., “Tracking the ecological overshoot of the human economy”, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 99(14): 9266-9271, (2002).
  • [5] Wiedmann, T., Minx, J., Barrett, J., Wackernagelc, M., “Allocating ecological footprints to final consumption categories with input-output analysis”, Ecol. Econ. 56(1): 28-48, (2006).
  • [6] Wright, L., Kemp, S., Williams, I., “Carbon footprinting: towards a universally accepted definition”, Carbon Manag., 2(1): 61-72, (2011).
  • [7] Galli, A., Wiedmann, T., Ercin, E., Knoblauch, D., Ewing, B., Giljum, S., “Integrating ecological, carbon and water footprint into a ‘footprint family’ of indicators: definition and role in tracking human pressure on the planet”, Ecol. Ind., 16: 100-112, (2012).
  • [8] Univ. of Mount Union, “University of Mount Union sustainability plan - incorporating a climate action plan”, (2010).
  • [9] Colby College, “Green Colby Initiative”, Colby College, Waterville, Maine, USA. http://www.colby.edu/green/ Access date: 20.04.2020.
  • [10] Univ. of New Hampshire “Campus Carbon Calculator v. 6.5 User's Guide”, (2010).
  • [11] Taylor, B. “Colgate University’s 2008-09 Comprehensive Carbon Inventory”, (2010).
  • [12] IPCC, “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Third Assessment Report”, Switzerland, (2001).
  • [13] IPCC, “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) National Greenhouse Gas Inventories - Guidelines”, Japan, (2006).
  • [14] IPCC, “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Fourth Assessment Report” Switzerland, (2007).
  • [15] METU NCC, Official Web Site, General Information https://ncc.metu.edu.tr/general-information Access date: 13.02.2020.
  • [16] KKTC YÖDAK, Official Web Site, Universities https://yodak.gov.ct.tr/%C3%9Cniversitelerimiz Access date: 13.02.2020.
  • [17] Times Higher Education – World University Rankings Wb Site, Top universities with the best student-to-staff ratio 2020, https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/top-universities-best-student-staff-ratio Access date: 13.02.2020.
  • [18] METU NCC, “Green Campus Initiative: Green Campus Strategy Document”, Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus, Kalkanli-Guzelyurt, TRNC, (2013).
  • [19] METU NCC, “Annual Reports 2011-2016”, Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus, Kalkanli-Guzelyurt, TRNC, (2011).
  • [20] WNA, “Comparison of greenhouse gas emissions of various electricity generation sources” World Nuclear Association Report, (2011).
  • [21] EPA. “Emission factors for greenhouse gas inventories” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report, (2014).
  • [22] Boeing, “Boeing 737 NG Performance Summary”, Boeing Report, Chicago, Illinois, USA, (2007).
  • [23] ATS, “Paper & the environment, myths and realities”, ATS Consulting Report (2007).
  • [24] http://www.greeneatz.com/foods-carbon-footprint.html Access date: 20.04.2020
  • [25] https://tappwater.co/us/carbon-footprint-bottled-water/ Access date: 20.04.2020
  • [26] Espinoza-Orias, N,, Stichnothe, H., Azapagic, A. “The carbon footprint of bread”. Int J Life Cycle Assess, 16: 351-365, (2011).
There are 26 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Engineering
Journal Section Architecture & City and Urban Planning
Authors

Emre Artun 0000-0003-1975-9167

Project Number FEN-16-D-2
Publication Date September 1, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021 Volume: 34 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Artun, E. (2021). Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus with Sustainability Initiatives. Gazi University Journal of Science, 34(3), 652-663. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.726553
AMA Artun E. Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus with Sustainability Initiatives. Gazi University Journal of Science. September 2021;34(3):652-663. doi:10.35378/gujs.726553
Chicago Artun, Emre. “Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus With Sustainability Initiatives”. Gazi University Journal of Science 34, no. 3 (September 2021): 652-63. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.726553.
EndNote Artun E (September 1, 2021) Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus with Sustainability Initiatives. Gazi University Journal of Science 34 3 652–663.
IEEE E. Artun, “Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus with Sustainability Initiatives”, Gazi University Journal of Science, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 652–663, 2021, doi: 10.35378/gujs.726553.
ISNAD Artun, Emre. “Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus With Sustainability Initiatives”. Gazi University Journal of Science 34/3 (September 2021), 652-663. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.726553.
JAMA Artun E. Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus with Sustainability Initiatives. Gazi University Journal of Science. 2021;34:652–663.
MLA Artun, Emre. “Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus With Sustainability Initiatives”. Gazi University Journal of Science, vol. 34, no. 3, 2021, pp. 652-63, doi:10.35378/gujs.726553.
Vancouver Artun E. Assessment of Carbon Footprint of a Campus with Sustainability Initiatives. Gazi University Journal of Science. 2021;34(3):652-63.