Assessing carbon dioxide emissions from energy use at a university

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the carbon dioxide emissions associated with electric, HVAC, and hot water use from a US university.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the total on‐campus electrical, natural gas and oil consumption for an entire year was assessed. For each category of energy use, the carbon associated with consumption of a single unit was calculated. Using this, the total carbon dioxide emissions for the entire university were estimated.

Findings

It was found that the university's activities resulted in approximately 4 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per student per year. In total, the university emitted nearly 38,000 tons of carbon dioxide during the 2007 fiscal year. In addition, it was found that emissions from on‐campus steam production, which account for roughly 57 per cent of total CO₂ emissions, would be improved with the addition of two proposed cogeneration facilities.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this paper is attributed to: the recent international concern over CO₂ emissions and their global warming impact; the increasing adoption of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment which in part calls for an inventory of campus emissions; and the underdeveloped research area relating to total university campus carbon footprint estimation.

Citation

Riddell, W., Bhatia, K.K., Parisi, M., Foote, J. and Imperatore, J. (2009), "Assessing carbon dioxide emissions from energy use at a university", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 266-278. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370910972576