Developing Baseline Carbon Footprint for Campus Commuting to Support Low-Carbon Policy Planning

Abstract

Malaysia has committed in Paris Agreement, through Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of by 45% by 2030 relative to 2005 levels. This pledge requires that public sector organizations, including higher education institutions and government agencies, create comprehensive carbon footprint baselines as a foundation for evidence-based emissions reduction and accountability. In measuring organizational carbon footprints are usually categorized into Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned sources), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity), and Scope 3 (other indirect emissions). Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions are well measured within educational institutions. While scope 3 emissions remain insufficiently quantified because they represent the largest part of total institutional emissions in staff commute. This study focuses on Scope 3 emissions related with staff commuting, a critical component of carbon management. This paper develops a baseline carbon footprint of campus commuting and examines its relevance for low-carbon transport policy planning for the institution. Data was collected through a survey involving 249 staff at Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah. Commuting-related emissions were estimated using a distance-based emission factor approach aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines.  The results indicate a strong reliance on private car commuting, with long-distance commuters contributing to total emissions. By identifying baseline carbon footprint quantifying, this research shows how higher education institutions can form mitigation plans that enable evidence-based, low-carbon policy development in institutional governance.