Quantifying CO2 Emissions from Energy Use and Mobility in a Multi-Campus University System

Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with higher education is a critical challenge for achieving sustainability goals. In this paper, the emissions of a multicampus university are analysed, with the goal of quantifying and assessing the main emission sources and providing recommendations for improving carbon accounting and reporting practices in the context of Italian universities. Emissions are examined across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, with a specific focus on the most impactful sectors: energy consumption and transportation. The assessment provides a baseline for future emission mitigation efforts, allowing comparison with other higher education institutions in Europe. The findings indicate that indirect emissions from commuting represent the greatest contribution to the University’s overall impact. On the basis of these results, a series of strategies for emission reduction and enhanced reporting transparency are proposed. This case study contributes to the growing research on carbon management in universities by offering insights and practical guidance for sustainability reporting in the Italian higher education sector.