Towards a Climate-Neutral Campus: Carbon Footprint Assessment in Higher Education Institutions

Embracing a greener future requires understanding our carbon footprint. This study analyses the greenhouse gas emissions of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (TUCN) across all three emission scopes (1, 2, and 3) over a two-year period (2022–2023), employing the GHG Protocol methodology and One Click LCA software. In 2022, TUCN reported total greenhouse gas emissions of 7445.1 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), with a significant emphasis on Scope 3 emissions (28.3% of the total). This figure decreased slightly to 7229.1 tCO2e in 2023. On a per-person basis, emissions decreased from 0.378 tCO2e per person in 2022 to 0.362 tCO2e per person in 2023. The emissions per square meter also decreased from 31.2 kgCO2e/m2 in 2022 to 30.3 kgCO2e/m2 in 2023. Stationary fuel use (primarily natural gas) remained the largest contributor to emissions, accounting for approximately 62.7% and 66.9% in 2022 and 2023, respectively. TUCN aims for an 80% emissions reduction by 2030, fostering positive environmental impacts through education, energy efficiency, community engagement, and partnerships. This study provides a foundation for achieving carbon neutrality, benchmarking Romanian institutions, and contributing to national climate mitigation. The research’s findings are valuable for those seeking to integrate sustainable practices within higher education and broader urban contexts.