Sustainability in Action: Carbon Footprint Assessment of the University of Technology, Jamaica (#1882)

Authors

Baker, Teonia

Aples, Nilza

Daye, Anthony

Osbourne, Anesia

Abstract

To combat the effects of climate change, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced. Universities are now starting to increase awareness of this problem and take steps to minimize their carbon footprint, to address the challenges posed by the global climate crisis. This study seeks to illustrate the trajectory for assessing the overall carbon footprint of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja) main campus, identify its stressors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition towards a greener and more sustainable environment. The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol methodology was used to categorize emissions into three scopes: direct, indirect, and other indirect emissions. The data from each category was converted to CO2 emissions, analyzed, and recommendations to reduce UTech’s carbon footprint were presented. The total CO2 emissions from UTech Ja’s main campus for the academic year 2021-2022 was 4,150.43 tCO2e and 0.36 tCO2e per person (staff and students), with the percentage contributions from scope 1 at 1%, scope 2 at 94%, and scope 3 at 5%. The highest contributor to CO2 emissions was electricity consumption (94%), followed by paper consumption (3.07%) and waste generated (1.55%). Reduction efforts were focused on emissions from scopes 1 and 2, which the university directly controls. The research team examined the university's energy consumption and travel patterns to find areas where emissions may be reduced by implementing energy-efficient measures, utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar energy and biofuel, as well as other transportation modes that are more environmentally friendly.