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Carbon footprint assessment and mitigation scenarios: a benchmark model for GHG indicator in a Nigerian University

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Abstract

A gap in carbon accounting within the global south and particularly in Africa is the unavailability of ordinary emission factors which may be a factor of the unavailability of activity data required to work out emission factors. The purpose of the study is to assess the carbon footprint of one of the oldest universities in West Africa and the oldest in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan. The methodology used for this is the GHG protocol by the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development framework. The activities of the higher institution as presented in this study still require greater attention in the reduction emission campaign and transitioning to renewable alternative energy. This study reports the emissions on the University of Ibadan campuses that are related to Scopes 1 and 2 (direct and indirect emissions). The total CF is 5,270.952 t/CO2 eq (metric tons of CO2 equivalent), and the CF in Scope 1 and Scope 2 was estimated at 4% and 90%, respectively. Scope 2, which measures indirect emissions generated via purchased electricity, produced the highest contribution of 4,757.83 tCO2e. The activities of higher institutions as presented in this study still require greater attention in the reduction emission campaign. Higher institutions should make a conscious effort to ensure that they are at the forefront in the fight against global warming by looking closely into their activities and ensuring that they limit their carbon emission to the barest minimum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Damilola Adeyeye

  2. Department of Geography, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Adeyemi Olusola & Samuel Adelabu

  3. Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Adeyemi Olusola

  4. Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Israel Ropo Orimoloye

  5. K. Banerjee Centre of Atmospheric & Ocean Studies, IIDS, Nehru Science Centre, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211002, India

    Sudhir Kumar Singh

Authors
  1. Damilola Adeyeye
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  2. Adeyemi Olusola
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  3. Israel Ropo Orimoloye
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  4. Sudhir Kumar Singh
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  5. Samuel Adelabu
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Correspondence to Adeyemi Olusola.

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Adeyeye, D., Olusola, A., Orimoloye, I.R. et al. Carbon footprint assessment and mitigation scenarios: a benchmark model for GHG indicator in a Nigerian University. Environ Dev Sustain 25, 1361–1382 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02098-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02098-1

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