Zero-Carbon Development Framework in Higher Education Institutions: An Integrative Review from Emissions Accounting to Pathway Design

To achieve net-zero emissions, a systematic zero-carbon development framework is urgently needed for higher education institutions, with a focus on the carbon emissions accounting system and zero-carbon pathway design. Literature related to “higher education institutions” and “greenhouse gas emissions” is selected from the Web of Science Core Collection, and their spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and research progress are analyzed through Citespace. The construction process of the carbon emissions accounting system is examined from multiple aspects, including goal setting, scope definition, and accounting methods and models. It’s found that a hybrid carbon emissions accounting model not only enhances the accuracy and efficiency of campus carbon emissions accounting but also provides a comprehensive assessment perspective. Subsequently, the diverse pathways for zero-carbon development in universities are delved into through three key paths: carbon reduction, carbon sequestration, and carbon trading. However, the study reveals that the zero-carbon potential of these paths has not been fully exploited.