Carbon Emissions Reduction at AU

Climate Change and Sustainability

Ajman University’s Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2022-2030 highlights its commitment to drive climate action goals in line with the UAE Green Agenda, Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, the National Climate Change Plan of the UAE 2017–2050, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Universities from various parts of the world have shown their willingness to become carbon-neutral in the future. Ajman University successfully accomplished important milestones in recent years, and we firmly believe in the University's dream team that can achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero by 2050. That will be an exponential achievement in our contribution to the national and global efforts to tackle climate change. Climate action is a collective action that involves all members of Ajman University. You have a chance to be part of the driving force that will reshape our future, ensure sustainability and resilience, and preserve our environment and earth for future generations.

The AU Climate and Sustainability Strategy 2022-2030 is a practical guide on how the University will deliver key climate commitments, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting a carbon-neutral campus, reducing energy consumption, investing in energy optimization solutions and renewable energy, exploring new ways to decrease direct and indirect CO2 emissions, minimizing the environmental impact rating of the University activities and processes, and creating awareness on taking action for climate change. The strategy considers how to achieve resilience to the impacts of climate change across University operations and supports a smooth and fair transition to a low and eventually zero carbon future.

This comprehensive strategy outlines a clear path for achieving our climate goals. Learn more about key initiatives like:

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Creating a carbon-neutral campus
  • Lowering energy consumption
  • Investing in energy-saving solutions and renewable energy
  • Exploring innovative methods to minimize CO2 emissions
  • Reducing the environmental impact of university operations
  • Raising awareness about climate action

The strategy also addresses building resilience against climate change impacts and transitioning towards a low-carbon future.

By working together, Ajman University can be a beacon of environmental responsibility and a catalyst for positive change.

To read the full strategy

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To learn more about sustainability at Ajman University

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To view Ajman University's public commitment to Net Zero as a committed member of the Race to Zero

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Overview

Why are we doing this?

  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that the planet has already warmed by 1°C since the pre-industrial era. This warming has already led to a number of consequences, including rising sea levels and more extreme weather events.
  • Climate change affects all of the planet's populations, but those in developing countries and disadvantaged populations in all countries are even more vulnerable to its impacts. This is because they often have less access to resources and infrastructure to cope with the effects of climate change.
  • To prevent the predicted catastrophic consequences of more than 1.5°C warming, we need to make significant changes to our behavior at all scales. This means reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy, and making our cities and infrastructure more resilient to climate change.

Carbon emission reduction is the process of lowering the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released into the atmosphere. GHGs are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the planet to warm. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common GHG, and it is produced by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Ajman University acknowledges the fact that the constant release of greenhouse gases (GHG) and the subsequent increases in global concentrations in the atmosphere will cause significant climate changes around the world. The impacts of global climate change are already evident in the form of increased health risks caused by extreme weather, a decrease in both aquatic and terrestrial species numbers, and increased frequency of extreme events such as wildfires, flooding, droughts, and food scarcity. The role of higher education institutions in facing the severe impacts of climate change sets an essential role model for the youth and future generations to be actively involved in climate action. It is important to create awareness on how to build resilience and sustainability in a very turbulent and changing world.

 

 

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CO2 Footprint

Calculation of Carbon Footprint

After identifying all the activities and processes that generate GHG including CO2 and its related gases from emission sources 1, 2, and 3, the carbon footprint of Ajman University has been calculated using 2020 as the base year.

Ajman University has applied the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG PROTOCOL) to report emission sources. The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard provides requirements and guidance for companies and other organizations preparing a GHG emissions inventory. The GHG Protocol is the internationally recognized standard for greenhouse gas accounting on the corporate level. It was developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases (GHG). Since these gases get trapped in the atmospheric layer instead of being released into space, they cause global warming.

The present Corporate Carbon Footprint discloses all emissions as CO2 equivalents (CO2e) and includes six other greenhouse gases that are regulated by the Kyoto Protocol:

• METHANE (CH4)

• NITROUS OXIDE (N2O)

• SULFUR HEXAFLOURIDE (SF6)

• HYDROFLOUROCARBONS (HFCS)

• PERFLOUROCARBONS (PFCS)

• NITROGEN TRIFLOURIDE (NF3)

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined GHG Emissions into three scopes: Scope 1 – direct, reporting company Scope 2 – indirect, upstream activities Scope 3 – indirect, upstream and downstream activities

Emissions Summary

GHG Inventory Report

Ajman University Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report (2020-2024)

Ajman University (AU) is committed to environmental responsibility and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. This Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report is a key outcome of the assessment phase within Axosomatic's Net-Zero Carbon Intelligence solutions framework. It quantifies AU's annual GHG emissions for the past three fiscal years: September 2020 – August 2021 (2020-2021), September 2021 – August 2022 (2021-2022), September 2022 – August 2023 (2022-2023), and September 2023 – August 2024 (2023-2024).

The data presented adheres to a declared boundary and scope, ensuring transparency and accurate representation of AU's operational emissions for the specified reporting periods.

Report Significance:

This report serves several critical purposes:

  • Establishes a robust framework for carbon accounting: Utilizing the GHG Protocol Standards, the report outlines a rigorous and accurate approach to carbon accounting and reporting for AU.
  • Comprehensive Emissions Coverage: The report encompasses all of AU's GHG emissions, including those generated from upstream activities and employee commuting.
  • Performance Evaluation: It provides a foundation for evaluating AU's performance concerning GHG emissions and fosters transparency.
  • Resource Optimization: By quantifying emissions, the report facilitates data-driven strategies for optimizing resource use and operational efficiency.
  • Knowledge Building and Alignment: The report fosters internal learning and awareness of AU's environmental impact, aligning with its strategic goals and serving as a best practice example for other entities.
  • Sustainability Benchmarking: Data from this report can be used to track progress towards AU's sustainability goals and inform future strategies for improvement.

Scope Definition:

Aligned with the GHG Protocol Standard and World Resources Institute (WRI) definitions, emissions are categorized into three scopes: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. The GHG Protocol represents the most recognized and meticulous approach to emissions accounting, widely adopted by public and private sectors.

Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 Summary

The following tables list, respectively, the summary of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University during the periods 2021 – 2022 and 2022 – 2023, expressed in tCO2e (Metric Ton of CO2 equivalent).

 

To view the full GHG Inventory Report for September 2020 – August 2021 (2020-2021) and September 2021 – August 2022 (2021-2022)

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To view the full GHG Inventory Report for September 2022 – August 2023 (2022-2023)

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To view the full GHG Inventory Report for September 2023 – August 2024 (2023-2024)

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To view AU GHG Emissions summary and analysis (3-Year Period)

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Analysis

Years: 2020-2021 and 2021-2022

Summary of Scope 1 Findings

Scope 1 direct GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the stationary combustion of LPG, and the mobile combustion of petrol and diesel-operated cars, buses, pickups, trucks, and mobile dental clinics owned by AU. Below is a summary of the findings

  1. The GHG emissions from all sources, stationary and mobile, during the year 2020 – 2021 are lower than those during 2021 – 2022. This could be attributed to the fact that the period 2020-2021 was the lockdown period in the UAE. Teaching and administrative work were conducted online.
  2. However, the GHG emissions from the consumption of LPG are the same in both periods. The reason is that the College of Dentistry, which consumes the LPG, was operational during the lockdown years.
  3. The carbon emissions from the mobile combustion of diesel, in both years, are higher than the carbon emissions from the combustion of petrol. This may be attributed to the number of buses used for transportation.
  4. The carbon emission from the consumption of LPG is the highest, compared to the mobile of combustion of petrol and diesel.

Summary of Scope 2 Findings

 

 

Summary of Scope 3 Findings

Scope 3 indirect GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the consumptions of upstream activities listed in the following table:

 

Year 2022-2023

Summary of Scope 1 Findings

Scope 1 direct GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the stationary combustion of LPG, and the mobile combustion of petrol and diesel-operated cars, buses, pickups, trucks, and mobile dental clinics owned by AU. Below is a summary of the findings:

  1. The GHG emissions from all sources, stationary and mobile, during the year 2022 – 2023 are lower than those during 2021 – 2022, by 22%.
  2. GHG emissions from LP are lower in 2022-2023 due to the lower consumption of LPG.
  3. Similarly, the emission from mobile combustions is lower in 2022-2023 due to lower consumption of petrol and diesel. These emissions could be further reduced by replacing the existing vehicles with EVs and/or hybrid cars. Research by the European Energy Agency found that the carbon emission of an electric car is around 17 – 30% lower than driving a petrol or diesel car. This means that the GHG emissions of 144.26 tCO2e (table 15), would be reduced by 34 tCO2e.
  4. The emissions from the mobile combustion of diesel, in both years, are higher than the emissions from the combustion of petrol. This may be attributed to the number of buses used for transportation.
  5. The emission from the consumption of LPG and refrigerant leakage is the highest, compared to the mobile of combustion of petrol and diesel.

Summary of Scope 2 Findings

Scope 2 indirect GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the consumption of electricity from 13 buildings:

  1. The GHG emissions due to purchased electricity remain almost the same as in the baseline year, albeit with an increase of 0.1%.
  2. The GHG emissions of 58% of the sources are above 1000 tCO2e.
  3. The GHG emissions of 50% of the sources in the performance year are less than those in the Baseline year.

Summary of Scope 3 Findings

Scope 3 indirect GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the consumptions of upstream activities listed in the following table:

Ajman University has secured the following achievements in emission reductions (All 3 scopes) in the performance year (2022-2023), in reference to the baseline year (2021-2022):

    1. The emission related to the consumption of LPG has been reduced by 32%.
    2. The emission related to the consumption of petrol has been reduced by 19%.
    3. The emission related to the consumption of diesel has been reduced by 11%.
    4. The emission related to capital goods has been reduced by 10.59%.
    5. The emission related to energy-related activities has been reduced by 2.18%.
    6. The emission related to the waste generated in operations has been reduced by 23%.
    7. The scope 1 emission has been reduced by 22%.
    8. The emission of scope 1 + scope 2 has been reduced by 1.91%.
    9. The total emission (scope 1, 2, and 3) has been reduced by 1.04%.

Year 2023-2024

Summary of Scope 1 Findings

Scope 1 direct GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the stationary combustion of LPG, and the mobile combustion of petrol and diesel-operated cars, buses, pickups, trucks, and mobile dental clinics owned by AU. Below is a summary of the findings:

  • Total GHG emissions from all sources—both stationary and mobile—in 2023–2024 are 12% lower than in 2021–2022, although they are higher than in 2022–2023.
  • GHG emissions from LPG in 2023–2024 are lower than in the baseline year.
  • Emissions from mobile combustion (petrol and diesel) are significantly higher than in 2022–2023 and 2021–2022. These emissions could be further reduced by replacing current vehicles with electric or hybrid models. Research by the European Energy Agency indicates that electric vehicles produce 17–30% less carbon emissions compared to petrol or diesel vehicles.

Summary of Scope 2 Findings

Scope 2 indirect GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the consumption of electricity from 13 buildings:

  • GHG emissions from purchased electricity have remained nearly constant compared to the baseline year, showing a slight decrease of 0.85%, and a 0.93% reduction compared to the previous year. This indicates stable electricity consumption and consistent energy efficiency performance.
  • GHG emissions from electricity consumption in 33% of the buildings are lower than in the baseline year.
  • GHG emissions from electricity consumption in 17% of the buildings are significantly higher in the performance year compared to the baseline year.

Summary of Scope 3 Findings

Scope 3 indirect GHG emissions attributed to Ajman University, occurred from the consumptions of upstream activities listed in the following table:

Ajman University has secured the following achievements in emission reductions (All 3 scopes) in the performance year (2023-2024), in reference to the baseline year (2021-2022):

  1. The emission related to the consumption of LPG has been reduced by 35.13%.
  2. The emission related to capital goods has been reduced by 10%.
  3. The scope 1 emission has been reduced by 12.10%.
  4. The scope 2 emission has been reduced by 1%.
  5. The emission of scope 1 + scope 2 has been reduced by 1.86%.
  6. The emission related to wastewater has been reduced by 41.95%.
  7. The emission related to Plastic waste has been reduced by 57.92%.
  8. The emission related to Food waste has been reduced by 15.99%.
  9. The emission related to waste has been reduced by 46%
  10. The emission related to business travel has been reduced by 76.72%.
  11. The emission related to employee commuting has been reduced by 3.40%.

Reduction Targets

Reduction Targets: Mastering Our Full Carbon Footprint

While direct operations (Scope 1) and purchased energy (Scope 2) are foundational to our carbon mitigation strategy, Ajman University recognizes that our true environmental impact extends far beyond our campus walls. Our most significant carbon footprint lies within our value chain—these are our Scope 3 emissions.

Scope 3 encompasses all indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a complex web of activities from the extraction of raw materials to the end-of-life of the products we use. This includes:

  • Upstream: Procurement of goods and services, capital equipment, fuel, and energy-related activities not covered in Scope 2, business travel, employee commuting, and waste generated in operations.

  • Downstream: Transportation and distribution of our products, the use of sold products, end-of-life treatment of sold products, and investments.

Addressing Scope 3 is not just an add-on; it is a fundamental imperative for any institution serious about achieving net zero and building resilience against climate risks. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol categorizes these emissions to provide a complete picture of our contribution to global warming, driven by the rising atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases like chlorofluorocarbons.

Our Integrated Strategy for Scope 3 Mitigation

Our commitment to a profound decrease of greenhouse gas emissions across our value chain is embedded in our core climate policy. We are moving beyond mere measurement to active mitigation and adaptation through a multi-faceted approach:

  • Sustainable Procurement: We are leveraging our purchasing power to prioritize suppliers committed to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emissions logistics, thereby reducing embedded carbon emissions in our supply chain
  • Advancing a Circular Economy: We are minimizing waste and promoting recycling and reuse across all operations, directly tackling emissions from landfill methane and resource extraction.
  • Greening Our Commute and Travel: We are incentivizing low-carbon commuting for our staff and students and integrating sustainability criteria into our business travel policies.
  • Investing in Natural Solutions: We champion urban forestry and green infrastructure on campus and in our community, enhancing natural carbon sequestration while providing cooling effects to counter rising temperature.
  • Driving Innovation and Efficiency: Our research and operations are focused on energy conservation, the potential of carbon capture technologies, and a transition away from fossil fuels.

By analyzing a wide range of data and modeling various sustainability scenarios, we can make informed predictions and strategically allocate resources for maximum impact. This comprehensive effort is our proactive response to the threat of climate change disaster, ensuring we are part of the global solution.

For Ajman University, mastering Scope 3 is the ultimate expression of our sustainability mission. It represents a holistic journey of environmental stewardship, transforming our entire ecosystem to forge a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Ajman University is committed to setting ambitious carbon reduction targets covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in alignment with the urgency to combat climate change. These targets vary in terms of their specific emission reduction goals, timelines, and strategies, but they all share a common aim of transitioning to a low-carbon economy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The targets set are as follows:

 

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