The Ecological Footprint of the National University of the Altiplano, Peru: A Tool for Sustainable Management

Abstract

One of the ways in which sustainable development can be understood is through the efficient management and systematization of indicators. For this reason, the study of ecological footprints is important, given that this concept integrates the different types of environmental indicators and, from the results and their interpretation, explains the total environmental impact generated through the development of daily human activities. The objective of this research was to quantify the total ecological footprint of the National University of the Altiplano in 2023. An application-type quantitative approach was considered, and the study utilized a descriptive, non-experimental design in which source data were used. The data were obtained from a primary sample through applying a survey to teachers, students, and administrative staff. The questionnaire included questions about the operations and functioning of the university, allowing us to calculate and analyze the components of its ecological footprint. It was determined that, in 2023, the university entity generated 4721.20 t CO2 in carbon dioxide emissions due to the use and operation of infrastructure, buildings, mobility, electricity consumption, paper consumption, and water consumption. The findings indicate that the university’s operations require approximately 915.67 hectares of forest annually to offset its carbon emissions and that it has an ecological footprint (in global hectares) of 1172.06 hag/year, suggesting important sustainability challenges. Finally, it was determined that the ecological footprint per capita at the National University of the Altiplano in 2023 was 0.04 ha/person/year and 0.06 hag/person/year, due to CO2 emissions, thus generating a greater ecological footprint of the university. These results underline the need to improve sustainable practices and review policies at the university level in order to better align with the objectives of sustainable development.