This document discusses alternatives for reducing the carbon footprint of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. It analyzes moving classes online, offsetting emissions through carbon credits, expanding the use of motion sensors, and rewarding departments for reducing emissions. The alternative of expanding motion sensors is recommended as it is accurate, reduces long-term emissions and costs, and is easily implemented, though initial costs are high. Stakeholders like the government and NTU would benefit from the emissions reductions and cost savings over time.

1. AB0401 –
Sustainable Enterprise
Changing our World:
do we plant trees or
create online
courses?
A project by Greenie –
Daniel Cher, Yeo Kuei Fu,
Michelle Lai, Cindy Yeo,
Janise, Melissa Foo

2. Assessment Criteria
Criteria
Financial capacity of
implementation
Description
Analyze NTU’s ability to pay up the costs needed
to implement the project
Ease of Implementation Analyze if the implementation can be done easily
in NTU
Accurate
measurements
Analyze for the accuracy of data between preimplementation and post-implementation
Real Reduction
In carbon emission
Analyze for any actual reduction in carbon
emission
Long-term feasibility
Analyze whether it will be feasible after taking into
the account the final outcome

3. Carbon Footprint Estimation
4 Steps
1. Create a process map
2. Defining the boundaries of the analysis
3. Collecting the data necessary for
calculating the carbon footprint
4. Actual calculation of the footprint

4. Carbon Footprint Estimation
1. Create a Process map
A process map is a map that contains all of the
different processes, materials and activities of the
product’s life cycle that could possibly result in
emissions.

5. Carbon Footprint Estimation
2. Defining the boundaries of the analysis
Defines the scope for the product carbon footprint,
i.e. inputs and outputs that should be included in the
assessment (Carbon Trust & Crown, 2008)

6. Carbon Footprint Estimation
3. Collecting the data necessary for calculating the
carbon footprint
Data should be:
-relevant
-complete
-consistent
-accurate
-transparent
Activity data and emission factors are, as discussed
before, the data that is necessary for calculating the
carbon footprint.

7. Carbon Footprint Estimation


Actual calculation of the footprint
According to PAS 2050:

sum of all activity
data factors

Total mass of the input of all the materials should
equal the total mass of the output
emission
factors

8. Carbon Footprint estimate
Scope
1
Source
Co2 Emissions
2,157.40
Electricity
25,534,720,00
Heat/Air-conditioning
19,613,128.00
Faculty commuting
2,702,669.45
Student commuting
6,468,011.30
Travel
472,045.82
Paper consumption
139,021.87
Waste
3
-
Transport within campus
2
Campus-generated electricity
176,125.70
Total
55,097,879.54
Students
33,500
Employees
4,257
Total per student (kg)
1,644.71
Total per employee (kg)
12,942.89

9. Relevant Stakeholders
Stakeholder
Main interest in this issue
Government
Organizations
eg. NEA
To promote and encourage green activities
NTU investors
To achieve high revenue/profits by reducing
expenses
Employees
To have a conducive environment to work in and
entitled to reasonable salary and employee
benefits
NTU
To create a conducive learning environment for its
students.
Students
To have a conducive learning environment while
being charged with a low school fees

10. Taking into consideration the
various interests that the
stakeholders have, we will now
evaluate the alternatives by
weighing the pros and cons
with respect to those interests.

11. Alternative 1:
Classroom  Online format
Pros
Cons
Less hassle for travelling of the
students and reduce overall carbon
emissions into the environment
(personal cars etc.) which will benefit
the school ratings and NEA’s goals
Students who are stays in Hall of
Residences in NTU will end up
viewing the online classes in their
own Halls.
- Distorted view that there is a
lowering of the carbon emissions
- Simply a diversion
- Ultimately, it will be higher emission
of carbon due to the higher
amount of electrify (fans, airconditioning) that is COLLECTIVELY
being used in all the rooms
Reduction of use materials – printing
of notes, which will help the school
save paper.
Reduction of electricity – light and
air-conditioner usage in classrooms
More interactive and
unconventional ways of learning
through applications online that an
facilitate better learning and
understanding
Every student will require the
program and necessary technology
to use the online program. IT
infrastructure of the school will also
have to be very strong.

12. Alternative 2:
Buying an equivalent amount of carbon
offset credits from CO2 Australia
Example of the proposed situation:
X University has a total emission of 600 tonne
of CO2 this year. This exceeded the allowed
emission by 100 tonne. Therefore, the
university can choose to purchase carbon
credit from CO2 Australia in order to offset
the exceeded emission.

13. Alternative 2:
Buying an equivalent amount of carbon
offset credits from CO2 Australia
Pros
Ease of implementation (Do not
require any modification to current
school practices)
Cons
Gives a distorted view. Carbon
credit leads people to believe that
as long as they pay to offset the
pollution, they are still being green.
Reduction is the main goal. Not
offsetting.
The use of carbon credit is relatively
new, no true regulation. No real way
of tracking if the emissions are being
offset appropriately.

14. Alternative 3:
Extension of the installation of Motion Sensors
Pros
There will be greater conservation of
electricity as when the motion sensor
will automatically turn on the power in
the room when it detects that there is
someone.
Cons
Costly to improvise in every classroom
and lounges
This will reduce the carbon emission
entirely given the basis that a lot of
electricity has been wasted as the
students do not turn off the electricity
upon leaving the place.
This installations are already in placed in
some washrooms and lounges of Hall of
Residences in NTU, thus, it will be an
easy system to implement into the
classrooms as well
Given that it is by motion sensor, it may
result in the power going off when
someone may still be in the room or
toilet but not near the range of the
motion sensor
Helps in the overall reduction of carbon
footprint which is in line with the
National Environmental Agency’s goals

15. Alternative 4:
Rewarding favorable variance
Pros
Cons
Provides a motivation for
departments to use and
develop more environmentally
friendly processes so as to
achieve favorable variances.
Difficult to ascertain how much
carbon is produced by each
departments
With the incentive given to
reduce the variances, one will
be more motivated to do
something that is more efficient
and thus, will reduce the overall
carbon emission.
Difficult to ascertain the true
cost of the impact of emission
on environment and therefore
what really is favorable.

16. Other possible alternatives:
As the list of alternatives are not exhaustive, the following are
other possible alternatives that can be adopted:
-
-
Raising Awareness of the need to conserve the
environment and reduce the carbon foot print emitted by
the school.
 Through posters
 Through roadshows
Encourage participation in school clubs that promotes
‘green’ activities and initiatives
Partner recycling companies
Use alternate energy generating resources – Solar panels

17. Comparison of Alternatives
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
Alternative 3
Alternative 4
Financial
capacity of
implementation
✓
✗
✗
✗
Ease of
Implementation
✗
✓
✓
✓
Accurate
measurements
✗
✗
✓
✗
Real Reduction
In carbon
emission
✗
✗
✓
✓
Long-term
feasibility
✓
✗
✓
✗

18. Action to take by NTU:
Rubrics Evaluation
Motion
Sensor
Reason
Financial capacity
of implementation
✗
In the short-run, it will be very costly due to
the high start-up cost. However, in the longrun, with the overall decrease in carbon
emission, there will be greater electricity
savings and thus, higher cost reduction.
Ease of
Implementation
✓
Pilot tests has been carried out and it has
been installed in washrooms and lounges.
Thus, the implementation will be smoothflowing.
Accurate
measurements
✓
Comparison of past data (electrical bills)
can be done for both pre and post
implementation of the sensor.
Real Reduction
In carbon emission
✓
There is actual reduction as there is a
correlation between electricity usage and
carbon emissions
Long-term feasibility
✓
It will be feasible as despite the initial high
start-up cost, in the long-run, the school will
be able to achieve long-term cost savings.

19. Action to take by NTU:
Stakeholder Evaluation
Stakeholder
Detailed Impacts
Government
Organizations
eg. NEA
It keeps National Environmental Agency (NEA) on track towards
their goal of reducing carbon emissions in Singapore, specifically
in Singapore’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
16% below Business-as-Usual levels in 2020 and accession to the
Kyoto Protocol.
This improves their reputation as it shows that they are effective
in promoting green activities and are on track to achieving their
goals.
NTU investors
The investments in the motion sensors will lead to the financial
loss (short term). However, there will also be long term financial
benefits because of the reduction in expenses (eg. electricity
bills). Overall, there will be shareholder wealth maximization.
Employees
The employees may suffer when their remuneration is affected
due to the diversion of funds to the research and education
project. However, they are compensated (non-monetary) with
a cleaner environment to work in.

20. Action to take by NTU:
Stakeholder Evaluation
Stakeholder
Detailed Impacts
NTU
It allows NTU to reach the goal of providing a conducive
environment for the students.
There will be short term financial loss due to implementation of
Alternative 3. However, there will be long term financial benefits
as it helps to save on unnecessary electricity costs. In a similar
implementation in a New York University, it installed motion
sensors in their hallway and saved approximately 1620.6 –
2,226.5 kWh per year per hallway. The average electricity cost in
Singapore is 26.08 cents per kWh in 2013 Quarter 4. Assuming
that NTU is able to implement this alternative successfully, it will
also be able to achieve cost savings of between $422.65 $580.67 per year.
This improves its reputation when it works towards the carbonneutral goal through the implementation of Alternative 3.
Students
There might be increments in their school fees to subsidize the
costs incurred when NTU implement the alternative.

21. Executive Summary
Considering the harmful effects of the carbon emissions to
our environment, we realised the importance of
calculating our carbon footprint and find ways to reduce
the carbon emissions.
NTU being a well established organisation, should play a
part in being environmentally-friendly. By calculating the
major components that emit carbon, the carbon footprint
of NTU is high thus, there is a need to reduce the carbon
emissions. By considering the proposed alternatives, NTU
would be able to go green and create a more sustainable
organisation.
Lastly, we compared the 4 different alternatives and
concluded on the best alternative that NTU should adopt.