An Assessment of Carbon Footprint at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus

and Proposed Green Campus Initiative

Vishakha Sharma1

and Geetha Kannan 2

BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus. Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Abstract: Carbon foot printing is calculating the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

As the enthusiasm of green business manageability is creating a great deal of attention in the advanced

education organization, this paper assesses the execution of Green Campus Initiative (GCI) at the BITS Pilani,

Dubai Campus by assessing their carbon footprint outflow. This higher organization merges local and global

knowledge with the combining of faculty, staff and students to create or develop new solutions. This research

also provides future recommendations that can be implemented to reduce energy consumptions and carbon

footprint.

Vitality use information and data were given by different BITS Pilani division . It is trust that result got from

this paper will give rules to the university to recognize the significance of Carbon discharges to make a

supportable and beneficial change. The analysis of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG)

emissions has been segmented as Goods and Services emissions (paper, plastic, aluminum cans) ,Campus

Energy emissions, Transport Emission and Waste water emissions. The data will provide BITS Pilani Dubai

Campus, the opportunity to lead in the area of energy conservation and reduction of carbon emissions.

Keywords: Carbon footprint, Greener environment.

1. Introduction

A carbon footprint can broadly be defined as a measure of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are

directly and indirectly caused by activities or are accumulated over the life stages of a product or service,

expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents. Concerns over climbing vitality expenses and natural effects from

human action are prompting changes in approach that join vitality effective expense sparing practices by

numerous governments and organizations. It is conceivable to all the while oversee operations to build

vitality productivity and lessen ecological effect, while decreasing long haul costs. Notwithstanding the

expense advantages of expanding vitality effectiveness and lessening natural effect of current operations,

universities can place themselves in a more maintainable position later on. As the realities of life in a carbon

restrained world become more apparent, universities are in a position to be ahead of the curve by reducing

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in preparation for future emissions regulation at the national level.

This work is focused on the BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, only. BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus (BPDC) is an

offshore campus of the internationally reputed Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, India

and the largest Engineering institution in Dubai International Academic City. It was set-up in the year 2000

to offer quality-engineering education to the residents of UAE, Gulf and other Countries. [1]

The complied report focuses on the following: An introduction to the areas of interest, A determination

of a method for calculating the carbon footprint of the university; An assessment of energy usage and the

environmental impact (carbon footprint) of university activities and Recommendations for alternative energy

management plans to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions. Initiative by BITS Pilani Dubai Campus

to evaluate carbon emission initiated in September 2014 with the simple objective to reduce the

Corresponding author.

E-mail address: sharma.vishakha999@gmail.com.

2015 5th International Conference on Environment Science and Engineering

Volume 83 of IPCBEE (2015)

DOI: 10.7763/IPCBEE. 2015. V83. 14

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environmental impact caused by its business operations. The initiative is now the core component of the

University’s Strategic Plan to provide basic ideas, analysis, and action plans to undertake a Greening

Initiative. The common reasons in promoting the GCI and transition to more sustainable campus can be

evident by the climate change concern as one of the interest in the environmental, and also the benefits to

human health that will affect the financial benefits as the result of “greening” the educational building and

environment.

2. Carbon Footprint Assessment Aspects

2.1. Campus energy &Water emissions

This section encapsulates all GHG emissions that originate from direct energy consumption & water

consumption on the university campuses.

2.2. Transport emissions

All emissions that emanate from BITS related student and staff travelling fall under this category. This

covers emissions from commuting to and from BITS, and also those from vehicles owned by university

departments and student bodies. Emissions from the university-owned Shuttle fleet, which provides

commuting services for BITS students and staff between campuses and within areas close to the main

campus, are also included.[1]

2.3. Goods and services emissions

This section captures GHG emissions associated with goods and services consumed by the university. In

the scoping stages of this project, this category included emissions from a range of products like paper and

aluminum cans. As much as possible, United Arab Emirates specific emission factors were used in this

analysis. Where emission factors could not be obtained from sources, other relevant publications were used.

[1]

2.4. Observation and Calculation

2.4.1. Electricity & Water

To focus the carbon foot print shaped impression connected with the utilization of power on facilities

and as well as utilization of water on facilities, the measure of power in kWh was reproduced by the CO2

outflows component acquired from DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) bills. [2]

The total average consumption for the 3 years is equal to 417,537 CO2/kWh and the total average

consumption of water for the 3 years is equal to 583,725 Carbon emissions. The following Table 1

summarizes the 3 years electricity and water consumption. The Fig. 1 depicts the average monthly carbon

emission of electricity. Fig. 2 depicts the yearly average comparison of carbon emission of electricity.

Similarly for Fig. 3 – depicts the average monthly carbon emission of water consumption and Fig. 4 –

depicts the yearly average comparison of carbon emission by water consumption. [3]

Table 1: Yearly Carbon emission of electricity and water.

Year

Carbon Emission of

Electricity *

(kWh/CO2)

Carbon Emissions of water

consumption**(kg/CO2)

2012 144747 201,204

2013 138216 218,658

2014 134574 163,863

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Fig. 1: average monthly carbon emission of electricity

Fig. 2: yearly average comparison of carbon emission

of electricity.

Fig. 3: Average monthly carbon emission of water

Fig. 4: Yearly average comparison of carbon emission

of water.

* - Average monthly electricity x Electricity Emission factor ( EEF= 0.5 CO2/kWh)[3]

**- Average monthly water consumption x Water Emission Factor ( WEF = 0.3 CO2/m3) [4]

2.4.2. Transportation

The transportation emission is divided into 3 sub sectors

1. Own transport

2. Buses

3. Hostel.

The information to calculate the fuel consumption was taken from the reference paper and the petrol

consumption value from Adnoc petrol station. [5]. The Table 2 summarizes the Carbon emission and carbon

emission saved in a year. [6]

Table 2: Average carbon footprint per year and Carbon emission saved.

Transportation: Avg. carbon footprint per year.*

(kg/CO2)

Carbon emission saved per

year.*(kg/CO2)

Faculty’s own transportation 39.24 ---

Student’s own Transportation 46.56 ---

Carpooling --- 270.22

Buses 28 Approx. 24%

Hostels --- Approx. 33%

* - 1 dirhams = 1.7 ltrs of petrol. ( Adnoc Petrol Station)

With this we used the monthly expenditure on petrol, and used petrol calculator. [7]

2.4.2.1. Own transportation

The students and faculty using their own vehicles to commute between their respective places to

university and back were taken into an account.[8] The Following Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are given below:

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Fig. 5: the comparison between student and faculty

carbon emission.

Fig. 6: the percentage of carbon footprint saved due to

carpooling.

2.4.3. Buses - Around 400 students in the university from the 1400 students use the shuttle buses.

- The average carbon emission from the buses as whole, is approx. 28% kg/CO2.

- From each bus, if calculated from the 30 seater buses, the carbon emission is approx. 7% and from

the 15 seaters its 3.75, per bus.

If the students travelled by own transport, to each of the destinations, the carbon emissions would

increase by (on a yearly basis). The Fig. 7 given below explains the above points, in graphical method. [8]

Fig. 7: The carbon emission saved by using the college provided bus transport.

2.4.3.1. Hostels

There are around 600 students staying in the hostel facility provided by the BITS Pilani, Dubai.

Each of the students save up a good amount of carbon emission.

Hence the percentage of carbon emission saved are as follows: 20% if stayed in Dubai , 17% if stayed

in Abu Dhabi, 27% if stayed in Sharjah , 19% if stayed Ajman and 17% if stayed in Al Ain [8]

2.4.4. Goods and services emissions

2.4.4.1. Paper

The average paper usage from the stationary: the total weight of the paper 65385 grams (for 2 semesters)

and the total paper consumption carbon emission 212 kg of CO2. The average paper usage from students

using notebooks: Hence yearly, paper consumption from the notebooks = 9072 kg of CO2 .

2.4.4.2. Recycling of paper

The amount of paper recycled saves - paper is collected on a monthly basis with approximately 500 kg is

collected and sent for recycling in a duration of 2 semesters. The carbon footprint of virgin paper is 3.24 kg

CO2 e/kg and that for recycled paper is 1.67 kg CO2 e/kg, the difference of these footprints gave us the

carbon emissions avoided and this value was hence multiplied to the total amount of paper recycled which is

1620 kg/CO2 emission is saved yearly as shown in Fig. 8. [9]

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Fig. 8: Carbon emission of paper.

2.4.5. Aluminum Cans

In the canteen and grocery, per day approx. 70 cans are sold

Per can CO2 emission – 8kg/CO2

Per month CO2 emission: 14,000 Kg/CO2.

Per year CO2 emission : 350,000 Kg/CO2

Recycling of aluminum cans :

The amount of cans recycled saves the carbon emission to a huge extent. Our University manages to

collect 60 cans per day, which makes it to 21,600 cans in a year As Shown in Fig. 9. [9]

Fig. 9: Carbon emission of aluminium.

3. Summary

Fig. 10: the total Carbon footprint per year.

This Fig. 10 does not yet include the use of other paper materials such as envelops, brochures etc.

Lessening the University's emanations to a net zero level will be a constantly advancing procedure. After the

production of an Action Plan, proposals must be executed, checked, enhanced and persistently improved.

Arriving at carbon impartiality will oblige a long haul duty. It is unimaginable for the University to achieve

this objective in a couple of years. On account of this test, there are no "enchantment slugs." Technology

enhancements and more prominent utilization of renewable assets, while key to a supportable future, can't in

themselves perform carbon impartiality. Through their utilization, we can moderate future discharges and we

can supplant existing, carbon escalated routines for vitality supply with low carbon initiatives. By replacing

the CFL or Incandescent bulbs and implementing LED’s will help not only lower the electricity usage but

also lower the carbon emissions produced by energy consumptions as well Incandescent bulbs and CFL

bulbs are more easily broken than LEDs, which increases their cost of use. Further proposals, are made for

solar lighting for outdoor purposes which in turn reduces the energy consumption and can cause a great

decrease in the energy consumption and overall carbon emissions. In terms of transportation carpooling is

being more practiced to decrease the overall carbon emission in this sector. Reductions in the use of energy

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and resources are required for the campus to significantly downsize its carbon footprint. Using fewer

resources more efficiently and from a renewable perspective can help UD achieve a carbon-neutral campus.

4. References

[1] Thapelo Letete, Nothando Mungwe, Mondli Guma ,Andrew Marquard , University of Cape Town Carbon

Footprint, 2010.

[2] Keoy Kay Hooi , Padzil Hassan and Nari Am Jami , Carbon Footprint at UCSI University and Proposed Green

Campus Initiative Framework.

[3] Eco Ventures, Water days, 2009

[4] Bell Fuels. "Lead-Free gasoline Material Safety Data Sheet". NOAA. Retrieved 6 July 2008.

[5] Gasoline Sniffing Fact File Sheree Cairney, www.abc.net.au, Published 24th November 2005. Retrieved 13th

October 2007, a modified version of the original article, now archive.

[6] Karl Griesbaum et al. "Hydrocarbons" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH,

Weinheim

[7] The Carbon Footprint of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 2008-2009.

[8] http://www.sunearthtools.com/tools/CO2-emissions-calculator.php

[9] CONWAY, T. M., DALTON, C., LOO, J. & BENAKOUN, L. 2008. Developing ecological footprint scenarios on

university campuses: A case study of the University of Toronto at Mississauga. International Journal of

Sustainability in Higher Education, 9, 4-20.

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