ORGANIZATION CARBON FOOTPRINT ASSESSMENT AND HOTSPOT ANALYSIS OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AT NAKHON SI THAMMARAT RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) assess the greenhouse gas emissions of Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University in accordance with ISO 14064-1 and the guidelines of the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), 2) classify and analyze significant greenhouse gas emission sources within each scope, and 3) develop an organizational carbon footprint database to support greenhouse gas mitigation planning for the university. The study used activity data from the 2022 academic year together with greenhouse gas emission factors. Emissions from commuting by university personnel and students under Scope 3 were estimated using commuting pattern assumptions in combination with the university’s actual population data. The results showed that the university’s total net greenhouse gas emissions were 8,669.85 tCO₂eq per year, with an average emission intensity of 0.94 tCO₂eq per person per year. Scope 3 contributed the largest share of total emissions at 62.38%, followed by Scope 2 at 27.70% and Scope 1 at 9.92%. Hotspot analysis revealed that commuting by private vehicles was the largest emission source, accounting for 3,629.61 tCO₂eq per year, followed by electricity consumption in buildings and central facilities at 2,401.54 tCO₂eq per year, and solid waste disposal at 1,294.39 tCO₂eq per year. These findings reflect the characteristics of a regional university where limitations in public transportation make commuting a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The database developed from this study can support the formulation of greenhouse gas reduction policies and measures for the university, particularly in transport management, energy efficiency improvement, and waste management, in order to drive the university toward becoming a sustainable low-carbon organization.