University leadership in climate mitigation: reducing emissions from waste through carbon pricing

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate potential impact of internal carbon pricing in emission reduction in Higher education institutions (HEIs). Over the past century, human activities have increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere. If GHG emissions continue their upward trend, this will disturb the natural balance and trigger abrupt changes in all components of the climate system. Limiting climate change would require a substantial and sustained reduction in GHG emissions from all sectors. HEIs, as major emitters, indeed need to respond to the demand to become more sustainable by making practical changes to the way their institution is run. Design/methodology/approach Using emission data associated with campus waste, this study describes how HEIs can take the lead on emission reduction through the implementation of carbon pricing. Findings Specifically, this study estimates the cost of emissions from campus waste to illustrate the primary benefits of internal carbon pricing for scaling up campus carbon neutrality initiatives and describes practical implications for enhancing sustainable waste management in a university setting. This study will contribute to identifying the potential for emissions reduction through waste management using a carbon pricing mechanism in university settings. Originality/value While carbon pricing has long been regarded as an alternative approach to tackling carbon pollution, it has not been thoroughly explored with regard to waste management.

Trends in research: carbon footprint reduction in universities as a way to achieve a green campus

“…Lee and Lee (2021) reinforce that the calculation of the CF can increase the carbon neutrality initiatives of universities, such as practices to improve sustainable waste management.…”

“…); and (2) initiatives that can indirectly reduce carbon emissions through the protection and expansion of carbon sinks on institutional properties (Tonietto et al, 2021). Lee and Lee (2021) reinforce that the calculation of the CF can increase the carbon neutrality initiatives of universities, such as practices to improve sustainable waste management.…”

Design and Development of Solar Powered Vermicomposting Bin for Accelerated Decomposition of Garden Waste: A Review

“…In doing so, emphasizing on the current state of waste management, and to identify areas where improvements can be made. Ultimately believing that by Every year, large proportions of fiscal allocations are spent on waste management, with the globe producing more than 267 million tons of municipal waste and sending two-thirds of that to landfills and incinerators (Lee and Lee, 2022). Composting enables society to remove the vast majority of garbage from landfills and recycle it into useful products for gardens and yards, which can lower the cost of waste management and provide a useful resource for home owners.…”

From a long-term dynamic perspective: how should internal carbon pricing be implemented?

“…In addition to its application in energy systems (Gorbach and Thomsen, 2022), scholars have also studied the application of internal carbon pricing in the education industry. For example, Barron et al (2020); Lee and Lee (2022), studied the potential impact of internal carbon pricing on carbon reduction in higher education institutions, to illustrate the main benefits of internal carbon pricing in expanding campus carbon neutrality initiatives, and to discuss how schools and other institutions can use internal carbon pricing to improve the climate. However, enterprises face certain barriers in implementing internal carbon pricing, as discussed by Riedel et al (2021), who explore the reasons why German companies do not adopt internal carbon pricing mechanisms, particularly due to the severe challenges that small German companies face in mobilizing the financial, technological, and informational resources required for internal carbon pricing implementation.…”