Towards a Carbon Neutral and Sustainable Campus: Case Study of NED University of Engineering and Technology

Abstract

Globally, universities are evaluating and targeting to reduce their carbon emissions and operate on a sustainable basis. The overall aim of this study revolves in addressing the following three questions: (1) How to calculate carbon footprint, including indicators selection, criteria, and measurement, for higher education institutions? (2) How to evaluate impact and effectiveness of various mitigation strategies in context of a higher education institution? (3) What are the possible limitations of approach selected for carbon footprint calculation. This paper presents estimation of the carbon footprint of NED University using a carbon calculator along with the identification of sources with maximum contribution to its carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of the NED University main campus for 2017 was calculated to be approximately 21,500 metric tons of equivalent CO2 and carbon footprint per student was 1.79 metric tons of equivalent CO2. Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions each contributed nearly 7% of the carbon footprint, while Scope 3 emissions accounted for 85.6% of the carbon footprint. Major interventions such as switching to renewables, usage of energy efficient appliances, electric vehicles, and massive tree plantation inside and outside the campus were identified as the most effective mitigation strategies.

Strategies to achieve a carbon neutral society: a review

“…Apart from households, universities can help reduce carbon emissions. Carbon emissions were quantified at the NED University of engineering and technology in Karachi, Pakistan, using a carbon calculator, and mitigating strategies were identified (Mustafa et al 2022 ). The data indicated that the campus produced 21,500 Mt CO 2 -eq in 2017, equating to 1.79 Mt CO 2 -eq per student.…”

Science to practice – networked governance of sustainability transitions in an African university

“…This entails that universities act as anchors in the local and global communities they serve as they lead in technological and scientific innovations in educating professionals and conducting research (Mustafa et al , 2022). Hence, they are ideal testing grounds where sustainability solutions can be experimented and demonstrated, in the form of living laboratories (LL) (Mustafa et al , 2022). Definitions of LL vary amongst researchers depending on the environment that the concept is rooted in and the desired outcome.…”

A Comprehensive Carbon Footprint Assessment Using Integration of GHG Protocol and LCA: A Case Study of an Engineering Institute in India

“…The carbon footprint of NED University's main campus was computed by using Clean Air Cool Planet (CA-CP) Carbon Calculator, originally developed by the non-profit organization Clean Air-Cool Planet and the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire (USA), and reported as 21,500 𝑡𝑡𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 2 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 for the year 2017 28) . However, to enhances the credibility and simplicity of calculating the CF, the 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 2 emissions caused by products must be assessed throughout their life cycle; for this a product carbon footprint can be determined by using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method 8) .…”