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.