A review of greenhouse gas emissions and their removal by green areas in Brazilian higher education institutions

Abstract

Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a crucial role in society by acting as drivers of sustainability in their education, research, and outreach activities. While promoting sustainable practices, their activities also generate environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. An exploratory literature review was conducted to evaluate inventories of GHG emissions and removals at Brazilian HEIs. Data from 12 HEIs that reported emissions using the GHG Protocol methodology between 2010 and 2024 were analyzed. The results showed that the number of HEIs in Brazil that quantified their GHG emissions and removals is very limited. A considerable variation in the scopes and total volumes of emissions was observed, with scope 3 being the main emissions group for many HEIs, primarily due to emissions from commuting to campus. The capacity of HEIs to compensate for their emissions in green areas was limited and showed significant variation. The management of GHG emissions by HEIs can be improved by increasing the inventoried sources, standardizing methodologies, and developing specific reduction strategies for each scope. The adoption of these practices by HEIs may serve as a model for other institutions, amplifying the impact of GHG emission reduction actions across the country.