CO2 Australia E-Learning

1. CO2 Australia
Changing or World: do we plant trees or create online courses?
SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE
AY 2013/14 SEMESTER 1
AB0401 – SEMINAR 2 TEAM 6
ALEX YEO| CHONG KEJIAN | PEH SHENG KANG| SEE YI LIN | TONG ZI HENG | YEO BEE HOON

2. Agenda

Carbon Footprint of NTU

Rationale of having the Carbon-neutral Target

Stakeholder Analysis

Part (1): Transform a significant portion of our course
delivery from classroom to an online format

Part (2): Buying an equivalent amount of carbon
offset credits from the provider featured in the case

Part (3): Any other viable alternative that your team
wishes to propose, leading to a carbon-neutral
future

Conclusions

3. Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is
defined as "the total
sets of greenhouse
gas emissions caused
by an
organization, event, pr
oduct or person”

4. Carbon Footprint of NTU
Section No.
Description
Equivalent CO2 Emission (kg
CO2-eq)
Actual
Percentage (%)
Scope 1 Direct Emission
Mobile Combustion Sources
1
(a) Fuel Consumption Approach
Total in Scope 1
2,065,695
100
2,065,695
Scope 2 Energy Indirect Emission
1
Electricity
10,646,066
Total in Scope 2
100
10,646,066
Scope 3 Other Indirect Emission
1
Paper
12,303
0.59
2
Fresh Water
382,098
18.39
3
Waste
80,602
3.88
4
Staff & Students Travel
1,602,188
77.13
Total in Scope 3
2,077,191

5. Carbon Emission Summary
Carbon Emission Summary
Equivalent CO2 Emission (kg CO2-eq)
Percentage (%)
Scope 1
2,065,695
13.97
Scope 2
10,646,066
71.99
Scope 3
2,077,191
14.05
Total
14,788,952

6. C02 Emission of NTU
Equivalent CO2 Emission (kg CO2-eq) (%)
14.05
13.97
71.99
Scope 1 - Direct
Emission
Scope 2- Energy
Indirect Emission
Scope 3- Other
Indirect Emission

7. Sources of carbon emission

Significant footprint lies in electricity consumption
(i.e. air-conditions & lighting used in seminar
rooms)

Shuttle bus service ranks as the second
contributor to carbon emission

Overall: Alternative carbon reduction methods
need to be looked into to reduce NTU‟s carbon
footprint

8. Reasons of going carbon
neutral project
Pros
Cons
Reduce costs by reductions in energy
and material usage
High cost required at the initial stage
to develop the infrastructure to meet
the target, benefits will only be reaped
many years later
Improve reputation
• Help to attract more students and
staff
• Able to work positively with other
stakeholders like
media, government, employees, in
vestors and potential partners
The opportunity cost of spending on
energy efficient projects is the
investment in better academic
resources such as engaging more
lecturers and provide better welfare
for students
Channel cost-savings to value-added
activities in the long run
• Eg. Academic and research
programmes, scholarships etc
Donors may see the going carbonneutral as a distraction to the mission
of providing education, thus give less
support for the project
Obtain cooperation from government
more easily
• Grants and fundings

9. Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder
Interests in the carbon-neutral target
Students
• Expect the cost savings in the long run to
be channeled to better facilities and
providing more financial aid
Teaching and
research staff
• Cost savings in the long run to translate to
better school facilities
• More funding for cutting-edge research
Management
staff
•
•
•
•
•
Improve reputation of university
Improve global ranking and recognition
Attract talented students and faculty staff
Sustainable campus environment
Reduce expenses, reinvest in other
academic areas

10. Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder
Government
•
BCA, NEA
Partners
•
NatSteel
Interests in the carbon-neutral target
• Promote sustainability in public sector
• Efficient use of resources
• Invest in research and development on energy
efficiency
• Implement new technologies to their companies‟
operation

11. Part (1)
• Transform a significant portion
of our course delivery from
classroom to an online format

12. Online vs Classroom
Target
People
• Students
(60% non-hall
students)
KPI
Online
Satisfaction
Level
Classroom
• Students’
satisfaction (i.e.
response rate)
• Transport time and
cost
• Less value-added compared
to interaction with professors
and peers.
• Rely on student selfdiscipline
• Save on travelling time and
costs
• Focus on research
• Less teaching commitment
• Interactive learning provides
better learning experience
through multi-sensory appeal
• Greater travelling time and
costs
• Faculty &
Researchers
• Job Satisfaction
• More interactions with students
in a classroom setting
• Top
management
• High rank among
universities for
lowest carbon
footprints
• Save electricity, shuttle bus
fuel and paper consumption
• Expended fuel, electricity and
paper
• Greater carbon emission
Planet
•Carbon Footprints
• Reduce carbon footprints
• Per student: Bus & MRT
footprint (0.22 metric tons of
CO2 e)
• Per Classroom: Electricity
footprint (3.01 metric tons of
CO2 e)
• Energy is required for
maintaining a learning
environment
Profit
• Costs
• Profits
• Save costs thereby translate
to greater profits
• May incur higher costs and
reduction in profits
Satisfaction
Level

13. Evaluation

Online teaching


Reduce carbon footprints of NTU


immediate short term benefit of achieving sustainable
initiatives
Save costs and increase profits
BUT

Not a viable long-term sustainable plan

Loses educational essence



Online classroom: Less social and communicative
interactions between student and teacher, and amongst
students
Results in confusion and frustration in online learning as
students‟ doubts are not debated or clarified immediately
 Does not encourage exchange of new ideas and
perspectives
Hall residency rate declines & revenue decreases

14. Part (2)
BUYING AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF CARBON OFFSET
CREDITS FROM THE PROVIDER FEATURED IN THE CASE

15. Carbon Credit

A carbon credit is a generic
term for any tradable
certificate or permit
representing the right to emit
one tonne of carbon dioxide
or the mass of
another greenhouse gas with
a carbon dioxide
equivalent (CO2e) equivalent
to one tonne of carbon
dioxide
Authorized Seller of Honest Howie's
Carbon Credits

16. KPI (Key Performance
Indicators)
KPI
Evaluation
Cost
• Emission is likely to increase as NTU
expands its operation
• Incur high expenses to offset
carbon emission as a result
Emission
• Amount of carbon emission by
NTU is not reduced directly
• Emission will not reduce unless
there is an actual plan to reduce
energy usage

17. Evaluation

Buying an equivalent amount of
carbon offset credits can work in
the short term to make up for the
excess carbon emissions.

However, in the long run, this will
increase costs and reduce overall
profitability.

This also may result in the university
not adopting a proactive role in
reducing emissions as it can simply
buy more carbon offset credits
whenever their carbon emissions
exceed the target.

18. Evaluation

Buying carbon credits can be
incorporated as part of a larger
overall plan which includes other
measures to reduce carbon
emissions in the long run while using
carbon offset credits as a short term
measure.

The school has plans in place to
build only energy efficient buildings
in the future. Although the increase
in carbon emission will be
significantly lower than if non-energy
efficient buildings are constructed,
buying carbon credit to offset the
increase is not a long term solution
as it introduces higher costs.
Arts, Design and Media
Building (NTU)

19. Part (3)
ANY OTHER VIABLE ALTERNATIVE THAT YOUR TEAM
WISHES TO PROPOSE, LEADING TO A CARBON-NEUTRAL
FUTURE

20. Partnerships
NTU Office of Development and
Facilities Management can partner
with other organisations to maintain a
sustainable campus

Internal - Sustainability Earth Office



Implement energy research from
the Energy Research Institute @ NTU
to the campus
Implement water research from
Nanyang Environment and Water
Research Institute to the campus
External - Building and Construction
Authority

Implement ideas from BCA‟s ZeroEnergy Building

21. Behavioural Change

The support and commitment from employees
and students in school are critical to the success
of the carbon-neutral target. The management
team is to promote and demonstrate to staff,
students and the wider community that the
University has in place a progressive and
comprehensive program to manage its impact
upon the environment.

All stakeholders should understand the rationale
and impact of the carbon-neutral initiative so as
to yield better results from our projects

We can create awareness campaigns which are
aimed at both staff and students. In addition,
„Projects‟ which create environmental
understanding throughout a student‟s
pedagogical development should be included.
These will have a direct carbon reduction on the
operation of the university and in addition, the
student will carry a strong environmental
philosophy with them into future careers.
Support and
commitment from top
management

22. Approach towards energy
usage
 Increase
energy efficiency
 Lower energy consumption
 Increase renewable energy
usage

23. Proposal – Increase energy
efficiency
•
On top of continuing with the
practice of purchasing energy
efficient equipment, NTU should only
buy post-consumer recycled paper
products, including toilet paper and
tissues
–
–
The paper industry is the third greatest
contributor to global warming
emissions. "closed loop" recycling.
Producing new paper, glass, and
metal products from recycled
materials saves 70% to 90% of the
energy which reduces carbon
emission.
Stakeholder
Management staff
Government
Interests
• Reduce operating costs
• Reduce resources consumed

24. Proposal – Lower energy
consumption

Current Buildings

Increase air condition temperature (from 24ºC to 25ºC)

Install motion sensors to control lights and aircon


Stairwells


Classrooms
Lecture Theatres
„Greening‟ of roofs and facades


More plants to mitigate urban heat effect and solar hear gain of buildings
Re-paint exterior with paint that reflect heat and reduce surface
temperature.

E.g. Nippon‟s Solareflect Paint
Stakeholder
Management staff
Government
Interests
• Reduce operating costs
• Reduce resources consumed

25. Proposal – Lower energy
consumption
•
Encourage students‟ campaigns
– Campaign being created by
a environmentally friendly NTU
Student who has the vision to
“transform grid lighting to solar
lighting in Hall 2”
– NTU could otherwise seek to
dish out cash incentives to
help to materialise these
students‟ dreams of saving
the environment
Stakeholder
Interests
Management staff
• Reduce operating costs
Students
• Opportunity to inspire
change in the university

26. Proposal – Lower energy
consumption

Transportation and Mobility

Encourage people to use available transports in school instead of
driving

Pilot a bicycle program in school, a free bicycle rental service
can be implemented to cater to the huge masses of student
population. These bicycles can be stationed all around the
schools with a scanning device to identify owners and ensure that
there are no theft cases in schools.

Encourage car pool for people who are driving
Stakeholder
Interests
Students
• Reliable bus timings allow students to plan
their travelling time more effectively
• Reduce driving
• Increase mobility
Teaching staff
• Reduce driving

27. Proposal – Lower energy
consumption

Transportation and Mobility

Reduce driving by expanding and
improvement of the existing shuttle bus
system, perhaps by adding one or more
routes with express shuttles to the other
MRT stations

Change the model of current shuttle bus
to hybrid models

Improving the townscapes through
continued development of aspects of its
campuses by improving pedestrian and
cycling facilities to promote a safer and
more attractive environment.

A wide range of parking incentives and
restrictions will be considered to reduce
emissions from commuter travel.
NTU Shuttle Bus

28. Proposal – Increase
renewable energy usage

Upgrade NTU electrical grid to able to use in-house energy
sources

Install solar panels on roofs and facades

Collaborate with Energy Research Institute @ NTU and
incorporate advanced research on solar technologies to NTU
buildings
Stakeholder
Teaching and research staff
Management staff
Government
Interests
• Advance their research in
real settings
• Reduce operating costs
• Reduce resources consumed

29. Initial stage of carbon-neutral future

30. Incorporation of latest
technology into NTU campus

31. Proposal

Invest in energy monitoring and
management system



Develop with Computer Engineering
department
Get better understanding of NTU‟s
energy usage
Publish energy consumption and
carbon footprint regularly


Engage students and staff of NTU to be
more proactive in achieving the target
Student initiative

NTU‟s Radio Fusion can implement a
radio talk show in NTU about
environmental awareness

32. Recommendations:
NTU Sustainable Construction Policy

Incorporate sustainability principles
as a central focus during design
and planning stages, paying
particular attention to energy
efficiency and costs in use.

Consider passive design features on
all projects (e.g. orientation,
glazing, insulation, natural
ventilation).

When tendering for contractors
and consultants, seek organizations
with Environmental Management
Systems in place.
Environmental Management
Systems

33. Recommendations:
NTU Sustainable Construction Policy
Apply the waste hierarchy principles
throughout, including comprehensive
Site Waste Management Plans
(SWMP) for all projects during
construction stages and provide
internal recycling facilities following
building completion for end users.
Incorporate appropriate water saving
technologies in all projects.
Site Waste Management Plans

34. Proposal

Future buildings


Must attain the Platinum rating for BCA Green Mark


Environmentally-friendly construction process
Maximize day lighting, Minimize solar heat gains etc
Implement research on campus

ERI@N can introduce technologies developed to NTU
Stakeholder
Teaching Staff
Management staff
Government
Interests
• Use new buildings as platform for their
research
• Improve reputation of university through
marketing new buildings as icons
• Lower operating cost
• Reduce consumption for resources

35. Conclusion
Alternatives
Evaluation
Decision
Online Learning
There is minimal interaction in the
learning process
Continue to implement online learning
for a small portion of the coursework
Students do not receive a holistic
education
Carbon Credit
Stakeholders may not feel
responsible to uphold the carbonneutral target as the university
can offset the carbon by buying
credits
Buy carbon credit as the last resort
Does not solve the root problem
of energy efficiency
Buying carbon credit is not
sustainable in the long run as NTU
will face high recurring cost
Proposals
Increase NTU‟s energy efficiency
May incur a high initial cost, but
savings will help reduce operating
cost in the long run
Collective effort will help to raise
NTU‟s status and reputation
Implement the recommendations to
reduce energy usage in the long-term

36. Executive Summary

NTU‟s primary goal is to reduce carbon footprint and maintain cost
effectiveness while providing quality education to its students.

Extensive online learning does not achieve NTU‟s mission to prepare
students for the future. Hence, it should be implemented to a limited
extent.

Carbon credit does not improve the energy efficiency of NTU and will
only result in high recurring cost. Hence, buying carbon credit should
only be carried out as the last resort.

The three approaches of increasing energy efficiency, increasing
renewable energy usage and reducing energy consumption through
partnerships and involvement of all stakeholders will help NTU in
achieving its carbon-neutral target in the long run.

Cost savings in the long run by reducing energy expenses will benefit
students as more resources can be channelled to provide better
education, facilities and welfare in future.

NTU will stand to benefit in terms of raising global reputation through
this initiative.