Carbon footprint of transportation habits in a Brazilian university

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Abstract
Currently, atmospheric emissions coming from industry and means of transportation are expanding at a fast pace across the globe. This study aims to measure the carbon footprint of the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR) Ponta Grossa Campus, in terms of the means of transportation used by instructors and students on their commutes between their homes and the university. A survey was applied within the academic community to obtain transportation data. Data were generated using the Umberto NXT Universal software, along with a life‐cycle assessment analysis, using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards ISO 14040, 14044, and the Ecoinvent 3 database. The results show that 90.67% of instructors travel to the university in their cars, which contributes to a high carbon footprint potential; that is, an emission of 51.91 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2equiv.) per month per instructor. For students, the emission is 6.97 kg CO2equiv. into the atmosphere per month per individual for those students who use the bus, as 63.32% of the university's students use public transportation to get around. In this way, the study provides a lesson regarding the environmental impact of the academic community, and it generates knowledge and aims at a more sustainable future by reducing environmental impacts through the means of transport that people choose to use.
Funding Information
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

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