Carbon footprint assessment and mitigation scenarios: a benchmark model for GHG indicator in a Nigerian University

A gap in carbon accounting within the global south and particularly in Africa is the unavailability of ordinary emission factors which may be a factor of the unavailability of activity data required to work out emission factors. The purpose of the study is to assess the carbon footprint of one of the oldest universities in West Africa and the oldest in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan. The methodology used for this is the GHG protocol by the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development framework. The activities of the higher institution as presented in this study still require greater attention in the reduction emission campaign and transitioning to renewable alternative energy. This study reports the emissions on the University of Ibadan campuses that are related to Scopes 1 and 2 (direct and indirect emissions). The total CF is 5,270.952 t/CO2 eq (metric tons of CO2 equivalent), and the CF in Scope 1 and Scope 2 was estimated at 4% and 90%, respectively. Scope 2, which measures indirect emissions generated via purchased electricity, produced the highest contribution of 4,757.83 tCO(2)e. The activities of higher institutions as presented in this study still require greater attention in the reduction emission campaign. Higher institutions should make a conscious effort to ensure that they are at the forefront in the fight against global warming by looking closely into their activities and ensuring that they limit their carbon emission to the barest minimum.