Understanding the Environmental Footprint of a Swiss University -- Mobility, Energy and Material Consumption before and during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
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| Title: | Understanding the Environmental Footprint of a Swiss University -- Mobility, Energy and Material Consumption before and during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Livia Somerville, Matthias Stucki, Regula Keller |
| Source: | International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2025 26(9):1-17. |
| Availability: | Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Universities, COVID-19, Pandemics, Energy Conservation, Depleted Resources, Fuel Consumption, Life Cycle Costing, Institutional Characteristics, Sustainability, Conservation (Environment), Ecology, Natural Resources |
| Geographic Terms: | Switzerland |
| DOI: | 10.1108/IJSHE-04-2023-0125 |
| ISSN: | 1467-6370 1758-6739 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the environmental footprint of a university of applied sciences in 2019 and 2020, including the effects of the lockdown periods. The study identified the main sources of emissions and assessed the pandemic-related effects. Design/methodology/approach: Using the life cycle assessment methodology, this study analysed the university's direct and indirect emissions during a regular year of operation (2019) and compared them with those generated during the lockdown periods in 2020. For the activity areas mobility, energy, waste, IT and paper, gastronomy and water, specific, primary bottom-up inventory data were gathered before and during the pandemic. The data were assessed with 15 environmental impact assessment methods of the environmental footprint framework. Findings: The results of a regular year of operation (2019) depicted that student and employee commuting and business travel contributed with 86% largely to the total global warming potential of 2,572 t CO[subscript 2]-eq. The pandemic-induced changes in commuting and business travel resulted in a 60% reduction, leading to a drop to 1,075 t CO[subscript 2]-eq (2020). In contrast, the environmental footprint due to energy consumption remained almost on the same level, irrespective of the absences on-site in 2020. Originality/value This study has the potential to shape post-pandemic environmental efforts and policies in higher education institutions and contribute to a much-needed baseline against which mitigation efforts can be compared with. Unlike other studies, this study goes beyond the carbon footprint, expanding the discussion to additional environmental and human health impact categories by applying the environmental footprint framework. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1456518 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the environmental footprint of a university of applied sciences in 2019 and 2020, including the effects of the lockdown periods. The study identified the main sources of emissions and assessed the pandemic-related effects. Design/methodology/approach: Using the life cycle assessment methodology, this study analysed the university's direct and indirect emissions during a regular year of operation (2019) and compared them with those generated during the lockdown periods in 2020. For the activity areas mobility, energy, waste, IT and paper, gastronomy and water, specific, primary bottom-up inventory data were gathered before and during the pandemic. The data were assessed with 15 environmental impact assessment methods of the environmental footprint framework. Findings: The results of a regular year of operation (2019) depicted that student and employee commuting and business travel contributed with 86% largely to the total global warming potential of 2,572 t CO[subscript 2]-eq. The pandemic-induced changes in commuting and business travel resulted in a 60% reduction, leading to a drop to 1,075 t CO[subscript 2]-eq (2020). In contrast, the environmental footprint due to energy consumption remained almost on the same level, irrespective of the absences on-site in 2020. Originality/value This study has the potential to shape post-pandemic environmental efforts and policies in higher education institutions and contribute to a much-needed baseline against which mitigation efforts can be compared with. Unlike other studies, this study goes beyond the carbon footprint, expanding the discussion to additional environmental and human health impact categories by applying the environmental footprint framework. |
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| ISSN: | 1467-6370 1758-6739 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/IJSHE-04-2023-0125 |
