Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Strategies for a University in Bangladesh

Abstract

Climate change is an urgent global challenge. Higher education institutions (HEIs) have a crucial role in addressing this issue by reducing their environmental impact. This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at a university in Bangladesh using the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard to categorize emissions into scopes 1, 2, and 3. The total GHG emissions amount to 2498.80 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) annually, with a per capita carbon footprint of 0.4671 tCO2e. Scope 1 emissions, primarily from university vehicles, generators, cafeterias, and air conditioners, account for 29.73% (742.55 tCO2e). Scope 2 emissions, related to purchased electricity from power grid, are at 18.18% (454.14 tCO2e). The largest contributor is the indirect emissions from commuting in scope 3, accounting for 52.10% (1302.14 tCO2e) of the total. Major emission sources include air conditioners, purchased electricity and commuting of university personnel by cars. To reduce these emissions, the study presents a scenario based mitigation framework consisting of Conventional, Incremental, and Comprehensive Scenarios with targeted interventions for each scope. These include addressing high fugitive emissions from airconditioner by replacing current coolant gases with more efficient alternatives such as R32, transitioning to hybrid or solar-powered electric vehicles, expanding shared transport options, and integrating rooftop and floating solar systems. Although the study is based on one university, the proposed strategies are designed to be broadly applicable to universities across Bangladesh. The study also emphasizes energy efficiency, eco-friendly mobility, and integrating sustainability into the curriculum. This study underscores the need for localized assessments and tailored strategies to effectively address the unique challenges of reducing GHG emissions in HEIs, providing a robust framework for creating a more sustainable university community.