Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions at the University of the atlantic, Colombia
Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions at the University of the atlantic, Colombia
Introduction: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which constitute the Carbon footprint and serve as a key indicator of environmental impact and climate change, have gained increasing relevance in recent years. Objective: To analyze the estimates of different sources of direct and indirect GHG emissions at the Universidad del Atlántico in order to assess the environmental impact associated with academic and administrative activities carried out during 2018 and to propose measures for environmental management. Materials and Methods: The methodology was based on ISO 14064-1:2006 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), considering Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. Results: Scope 1 emissions from direct sources, mainly refrigerant gases and natural gas consumption, were the highest, totaling 6,493.12 tons of CO₂ equivalent (76.31%). Scope 3 emissions from other indirect sources, including transportation, waste generation, and land use, accounted for 1,240.66 tons of CO₂ equivalent (14.58%). Scope 2 emissions, related to indirect emissions from electricity consumption, contributed 849 tons of CO₂ equivalent (9.97%). After accounting for CO₂ removal by campus vegetation, the total carbon footprint was estimated at 8,507.78 tons of CO₂ equivalent. The main contributors to emissions were refrigerant equipment use, transportation (land and air), and land use. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to implement environmental management strategies aimed at reducing or mitigating GHG emissions to promote a healthy environment. Accordingly, several measures are proposed for inclusion in the Environmental Management System of the Universidad del Atlántico.
Keywords: Climate change; Global warming; Greenhouse gases (GHG); Carbon footprint.
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