Carbon footprint reduction from energy-saving measure and green area of Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand

Abstract

This paper presents the carbon footprint estimation of Suranaree University of Technology (SUT). It also describes the carbon footprint reduction from the implementation of the energy-saving measure and the capturing of CO2 by trees in the green area within the campus. For the academic year 2016, the total emission from sources and the total sinks of greenhouse gases (GHGs) were 13,318.64 tCO2eq and 5,281.65 tCO2eq, respectively, and the net carbon footprint was 8,036.99 tCO2eq. Electricity usage accounted for 66% of the total emission. Other notable emitters were refrigerant leakage and waste disposal. The energy-saving measure – using energy-efficient air conditioners – can reduce the emission at considerably high costs, 33,332 baht/tCO2eq. These air conditioners also use a higher GWP-value refrigerant, type R-410a. The green area played a very important role as the only sink of GHGs in the university. It captured approximately 40% of the total emission value. From the 4-year projection scenario, the net carbon footprint of the university has a downward trend, decreasing at an average rate of 1,005.46 tCO2eq per year.