CO₂ emissions and climate neutrality
The National Technical University of Athens stands out for its initiatives in energy efficiency and sustainable development, undertaking actions that contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and aim to achieve climate neutrality. An important part of its strategy is the accurate recording of the institution’s carbon footprint, with plans to reduce emissions from various energy sources such as electricity, oil and natural gas, as well as from refrigerant leaks. Also, the emissions analysis considers the movements of students and staff, thus reinforcing the planning for a greener and more sustainable transition of the Polytechnic.
International standards for inventorying greenhouse gas emissions offer detailed guidance on how to measure, record and report emissions that affect our planet’s climate. The use of these standards allows for reliable monitoring of climate performance and supports decision-making to reduce emissions. At the same time, comparability between organizations and states is strengthened, while compliance with international and national environmental requirements is facilitated.
In its effort to record and control greenhouse gas emissions, the National Technical University of Athens follows established international practices, aligning its report with the GHG Protocol and incorporating the ISO 14064-1:2018 guidelines to enhance the reliability of its data. Although the GHG Protocol is primarily designed for businesses, implementing the standard is also proving effective for universities, such as NTUA. In addition, ISO 14064-1:2018, which provides a framework for accounting for GHG emissions at the organization level, is an essential tool in this process. By combining these standards with the emission calculation methodologies proposed by the IPCC guidelines, the Polytechnic University improves transparency and scientific validity.
As this is the first carbon footprint report of NTUA, the report also includes the relevant analysis for the year 2023, which is taken as the base year. The choice of this year lies in the fact that it is the most recent and therefore facilitates the collection and ensures the reliability of the required data.
GHG Emission Inventory Limits
The GHG Emission Inventory Limits for the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) are divided into organizational and operational limits. GHG emission categories include fuel use in buildings, refrigerant leaks, electricity consumption, as well as student and employee travel.
Sources of GHG emissions mainly include direct energy consumption and leaks from refrigeration and air conditioning units. In particular, the methodology for calculating emissions includes the collection of data from different energy consumption and transport and is used to determine the carbon footprint by exploiting the GWP (Global Warming Potential) factors.
NTUA applies the internationally recognized GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1:2018 standards for the reliability and comparability of results. This method of inventory and calculation helps the Polytechnic to fulfill its national and international obligations to reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable practices.
Emission sources also cover transport by service vehicles and the distances traveled by students and staff to reach NTUA. The methodology followed for recording and calculating these emissions is strictly defined and in line with international standards and protocols, ensuring the accuracy and comparability of the data.
Sources of GHG emissions
The main sources of greenhouse gas emissions at the National Technical University of Athens include the use of fuel in its facilities, leaks from refrigerants, electricity consumption, as well as the transportation of students and employees.
The process of recording these emissions starts with the collection of necessary data, such as the quantities of fuel and electricity consumed, and includes the collection of information on travel. These data are analyzed based on the guidelines and standards of the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1:2018, which certify that emissions are divided into direct and indirect categories.
Finally, these emissions are converted into carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), using the Global Warming Potential factors provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Emissions from the mobility of Students, Employees – Vehicles of the National Technical University of Athens
The daily commute of the students at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) is among the important sources of greenhouse gas emissions for the institution. Based on recent analyses, it appears that these transports contribute to annual carbon dioxide emissions in quantities exceeding thousands of tons. At a university with more than 20,000 students who commute to and from campus every day, it is logical that these trips are the main factor for the institution’s carbon footprint.
Staff travel also makes a significant contribution to overall emissions, albeit to a lesser extent than those of students, as their number is smaller. The emissions from the use of the Foundation’s official vehicles, although they constitute the smallest part, are still significant.
Categorization of Movements and Annual Emissions:
They are the main source of travel emissions, with thousands of daily trips to and from the central university and the rest of the facilities.
They include staff movements to and from work, with a significant but smaller share of emissions compared to students, due to their limited number compared to the number of students.
The means of transport have a direct impact on the environmental footprint. The use of private cars to access the NTUA leads to increased CO₂ emissions, especially when only one passenger travels in the car. On the contrary, the use of public transport, such as OSY buses, can significantly reduce emissions per passenger. These buses can accommodate around 98 passengers and typically carry around 59 passengers per route, resulting in a much lower footprint per person compared to a car. In addition, rail transport such as the metro and tram, which use electricity, can move large numbers of people with relatively low emissions, depending on the proportion of renewable energy sources in the electricity system.
In addition, motorcycle travel is another source of emissions, albeit with a lower impact than cars, due to reduced fuel consumption. It is also interesting to note that a not insignificant number of students and staff who live near the university prefer walking or cycling, methods that do not involve direct emissions. The main element that shapes total emissions is the combination of means of transport: the more the use of public transport and other ecological means of transport increases, the more carbon dioxide emissions per person are reduced.
Emissions from the travel of NTUA employees that take place outside Athens for participation in scientific conferences and meetings are an important source of emissions. The above movements are even more aggravating if they involve the use of an airplane because airplanes produce large amounts of CO₂ per kilometer for each passenger. In addition, workers may use trains or cars, with trains offering a less burdensome option compared to airplanes.
To record and control aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions on campus, NTUA is developing a special software. This program is designed to collect data from various activities within the university and calculate the resulting carbon dioxide emissions.
This software leverages advanced data analysis techniques to estimate emissions from:
• Transportation: Analyzes emissions from the movement of vehicles inside and outside the university.
• Energy consumption: Records emissions from energy consumption in NTUA buildings.
This accurate recording helps the Institution identify areas of improvement to reduce emissions, such as energy upgrading facilities for greater energy efficiency or encouraging the use of bicycles and public transport. Thus, NTUA can design more targeted sustainability policies, improving its ecological footprint.
