Carbon Footprint as Climate Change Disclosure: Opportunities for Performance Improvement

Abstract

Carbon Footprint refers to the potential climate impact (Global Warming) due to Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emitted directly or indirectly owing to an organization’s activities. A climate change disclosure of any educational institution must be studied so that its key emission sources can be identified and necessary mitigation measures be adopted for carbon reduction. An assessment based on the same was carried out at Maitreyi College, a constituent of the University of Delhi. The emissions were reported from college-owned facilities, indirect energy emissions from electricity, travel and solid waste generation. Consequently, some measures for efficient power consumption and management of waste were suggested to the college management in order for them to set a target for carbon reduction in the upcoming years. The benefits of the project will manifest in substantial utility cost reduction across the campus in the coming years, and will lead to both financial as well as environmental sustainability of the institution.