Ab0401 e learning seminar 2 group 6

CO2 AustraliaChanging or World: do we plant trees or create online courses?

SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISEAY 2013/14 SEMESTER 1AB0401 – SEMINAR 2 TEAM 6ALEX YEO| CHONG KEJIAN | PEH SHENG KANG| SEE YI LIN | TONG ZI HENG | YEO BEE HOON

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

Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is defined as "the total sets of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person”

Carbon Footprint of NTU

Section No. Description

Equivalent CO2 Emission (kg CO2-eq)

Actual Percentage (%)Scope 1 Direct Emission

1Mobile Combustion Sources    (a) Fuel Consumption Approach 2,065,695 100

Total in Scope 1 2,065,695   Scope 2 Energy Indirect Emission

1 Electricity 10,646,066 100Total in Scope 2 10,646,066  

 Scope 3 Other Indirect Emission

1 Paper 12,303 0.592 Fresh Water 382,098 18.39

3 Waste 80,602 3.884 Staff & Students Travel 1,602,188 77.13

Total in Scope 3 2,077,191  

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  

C02 Emission of NTU

13.97

71.99

14.05

Equivalent CO2 Emission (kg CO2-eq) (%)

Scope 1 - Direct EmissionScope 2- Energy In-direct EmissionScope 3- Other In-direct Emission

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

Reasons of going carbon neutral project

Pros ConsReduce 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, investors 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 carbon-neutral 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

Stakeholder AnalysisStakeholder Interests in the carbon-neutral targetStudents • 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

Government• BCA, NEA

• Promote sustainability in public sector• Efficient use of resources

Partners• NatSteel

• Invest in research and development on energy efficiency

• Implement new technologies to their companies’ operation

Stakeholder AnalysisStakeholder Interests in the carbon-neutral target

Part (1)

• Transform a significant portion of our course delivery from classroom to an online format

Online vs ClassroomTarget KPI Online Satisfaction

LevelClassroom Satisfaction

LevelPeople• Students (60% non-hall students)

• Students’ satisfaction (i.e. response rate)• Transport time and cost

• Less value-added compared to interaction with professors and peers.• Rely on student self-discipline• Save on travelling time and costs

• Interactive learning provides better learning experience through multi-sensory appeal • Greater travelling time and costs

• Faculty & Researchers

• Job Satisfaction • Focus on research• Less teaching commitment

• 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

Evaluation Online teaching

immediate short term benefit of achieving sustainable initiatives

Reduce carbon footprints of NTU 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

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

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

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

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.

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)

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

PartnershipsNTU 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 Zero-Energy Building

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

Approach towards energy usage

Increase energy efficiencyLower energy

consumptionIncrease renewable

energy usage

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 InterestsManagement staff • Reduce operating costs

Government • Reduce resources consumed

Proposal – Lower energy consumption Current Buildings

Increase air condition temperature (from 24ºC to 25ºC) Install motion sensors to control lights and aircon

Classrooms Stairwells 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 InterestsManagement staff • Reduce operating costs

Government • Reduce resources consumed

• 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

Proposal – Lower energy consumption

Stakeholder InterestsManagement staff • Reduce operating costs

Students • Opportunity to inspire change in the university

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 drivingStakeholder Interests

Students • Reliable bus timings allow students to plan their travelling time more effectively

• Reduce driving• Increase mobility

Teaching staff • Reduce driving

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

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 InterestsTeaching and research staff • Advance their research in

real settingsManagement staff • Reduce operating costs

Government • Reduce resources consumed

Initial stage of carbon-neutral future

Incorporation of latest technology into NTU campus

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

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

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.

Recommendations: NTU Sustainable Construction Policy

Site Waste Management Plans

Proposal Future buildings

Environmentally-friendly construction process Must attain the Platinum rating for BCA Green Mark Maximize day lighting, Minimize solar heat gains etc

Implement research on campus ERI@N can introduce technologies developed to NTU

Stakeholder InterestsTeaching Staff • Use new buildings as platform for their

researchManagement staff • Improve reputation of university through

marketing new buildings as icons• Lower operating cost

Government • Reduce consumption for resources

ConclusionAlternatives Evaluation DecisionOnline Learning There is minimal interaction in

the learning process

Students do not receive a holistic education

Continue to implement online learning for a small portion of the coursework

Carbon Credit Stakeholders may not feel responsible to uphold the carbon-neutral target as the university can offset the carbon by buying credits

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

Buy carbon credit as the last resort

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

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.