2.11 Total carbon footprint (CO2 emission in the last 12 months, in metric tons)

On March 2, 2023, Dr. Jongrak Watcharinrat, the President of Kasetsart University, announced at the 61^st academic conference, " KASETSART for AIl: Expanding Knowledge of the Land towards Sustainable Well-being,” the institution's endorsement of the "KU Goes Green and Carbon Neutrality" policy. This initiative is in alignment with the country's goals to tackle the climate crisis and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on its reputation as a Green University, Kasetsart aims for complete carbon neutrality by 2035, coinciding with the 80^th anniversary of its establishment.

  Kasetsart University continuously gives importance to the environment and sustainability. Previously, the university carried out the operations in accordance with UI GreenMetric University concept. In response to Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management policy, strategic work plans for greenhouse gas management are announced as follow:

The dimensions of energy – Improving energy consumption efficiency of buildings, using renewable energy (Solar roof, Wind farm), using electric welfare buses in Kasetsart University to reduce greenhouse gas emission from the major emission sources.

The dimensions of forest and green space – The ability to be a source for storing carbon dioxide is evaluated from forest and green spaces of 5 campuses and 26 research stations, about 13,000 rais. Areas that can increase the capacity for absorbing carbon dioxide are increased.

The dimensions of agriculture – Support is given to precision agriculture, the use of tailor-made fertilizers, stopping crop/stubble burning to prepare for planting in the next season, alternate wetting and drying (AWD), sustainable farming, value addition to agricultural waste including the development of low carbon agricultural products and foods.

The dimensions of waste and wastewater – Reduction of the amount of waste at source, waste segregation for reusing under the concept of circular economy including reduction of the amount of wastewater, improving technology and increasing the efficiency of wastewater treatment so as to initiate carbon neutrality concept and to be a role model of learning for the society.

Previously, Kasetsart University held Carbon Neutral Kaset Fair to evaluate greenhouse gas emission from organizing Kaset Fair by Faculty of Environment Kasetsart University that worked collaboratively with 75 volunteer students. The total amount of greenhouse gas emission was compensated by purchasing carbon credit carried out in TGO Carbon Registry System.

Kasetsart University Forest plays an important role as a recreation area and a source of carbon dioxide. Kasetsart University Forest at Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus is a community food bank for people to collect forest products.

1. Kasetsart University Bangkhen Campus with total area of forest 24.89 rai, absorbs carbon dioxide of 21.25 tons per year.

1) Varunawan Park, 6 rai, absorbs 5.7 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

2) Thai Commemorative Garden, 4.6 rai, absorbs carbon dioxide absorbed 4.37 tons per year.

3) 100 years garden of Luang Suwan Vajokkasikij, 5.25 rai, absorbs carbon dioxide 4.99 tons per year

4) 60-year garden, 6.52 rai, absorbscarbon 6.19 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

5) Arokaya Utthayan..2.5 rai.., absorbscarbon 2.09 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

2. Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus

His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Park, the area of 366.77 rai absorbs 347.45 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

3. Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus

H.M. Queen Sirikit's 86th Birthday Anniversary Natural Park and Dipterocarp Forest with the area of 931 rai including of variety of species of the plants such as dipterocarp forest, Shorea siamensis Miq.,  Shorea obtuse Wall., Terminalia alata Heyne ex Roth., Buchanania latifolia Roxb., Aporusa avillosa Baill.,Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. , absorbs 884.45 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

4. Kasetsart University Sriracha Campus

Khao Nam Sap, 340 rai of a dry evergreen forest with notable species include Wrightia tomentosa Roem.,Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack.,Nephelium hypoleucum Kurz, absorbs 323 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

5. Suphan Buri Establishment Campus Project and 26 research stations

The implementation of SDG 13: Climate Action in this year: Baseline data and greenhouse gas emission are prepared to evaluate carbon footprint value of Kasetsart University as an emission and storage source from green spaces, covering the areas of all faculties, offices, and agencies in Bang Khen, Kamphaeng Saen, Sriracha, Sakon Nakhon, and Suphanburi campuses and 26 research stations. The process of entering carbon neutrality consists of 4 steps, namely,

Step 1 – calculating baseline emissions of greenhouse gas from all activities carried out by Kasetsart University. The base year determined is the fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 to September 2023).

Step 2 – preparing a greenhouse gas emission measure and a measure to increase carbon dioxide absorption capacity, carried out by Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, and Faculty of Forestry.

Step 3 – evaluating the amount of greenhouse gas reduced from such measures.

Step 4 – preparing a report showing the amount of emission, the emission amount, the storage amount, and the reduction amount of greenhouse gas compared to the target value for reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emission.

KU Eco Green Campus

Kasetsart University is the first certified Thai university by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), under the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program in forestry and green area category.

Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) organized an event on “Hundreds of Hearts to Reduce Global Warming” on 19 September 2018 at Vibhavadee Ballroom, Centara grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok. In this regards, H.E. General Surasak Kanchanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand presented a Plaque to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trin Saengsuwan, Vice President for Kamphaeng Saen Campus for his achievement on KU Eco Green Campus project.

The project is registered as one of Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program or T-VER. Owing to Kamphaeng Saen Campus separated area of 235.77 rai within the campus into 3 zones for difference purposes as follows: Zone 1 – 100 rai of forest areaZone 2 – forest area Zone 3 –Yangna tree ( Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb.) planting area.

KU Forest for Life 

Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Kasetsart University received a certificate of the event "Hundred Hearts Unite to Reduce Global Warming" which organized by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), in the category of Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program (TVER).

What is T-VER?

Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program or T-VER was developed by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) or TGO. The purpose is to promote and support all sectors to engage in greenhouse gas reduction voluntarily in order that the carbon credits obtained from the program can be trade.  Credits obtained from the program are mainly used for CSR purposes and voluntary carbon offsets of organization and companies in Thailand. The TGO has defined rules and methodology to register and certify for the program that must be contributes to reducing / absorbing greenhouse gases in Thailand.

The number of 352 Pink Trumpet trees (Tabebuia rosea), or Chompooh Pantip in Thai, at kamphaeng Saen Campus,  Kasetsart University have been registered as the “Heritage of the Land” for the fiscal year 2019. This kind of tree was initiated grown in 1977 by Prof. Dr. Wattana Sathiensawat, the first Vice President for Kamphaeng Saen Campus at that time. He received the seed from Professor Rapee Sagarik, President at that time, which Professor Rapee brought the seeds from Singapore. Professor Wattana considered that growing of big trees would help obstruct strong wind and giving shade for the campus. Therefore, two sides of the roads within Kamphaeng Saen Campus were full of this kind of trees. Begin from the road in front of the Kasetsart University Laboratory School Kamphangsaen Campus ducational Research and Development Center to the Chandrubeksa Gate approximately 3 km. Until now, ink Trumpet trees are still growing and providing beautiful flowers every year in Kamphaeng Saen campus as these days.

Kasetsart University received a Carbon Neutral Event certification for the Agricultural Fair of 2023 from Mr. Kiatichai Maitriwong, Director of the Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. This was announced during a seminar summarizing the work of the association on the topic "Expanding Carbon Offset Activities to Support the Domestic Voluntary Carbon Market Year 10” with V-Green, the Faculty of Environmental Engineering at Kasetsart University, served as consultants for the project on September 13, 2023. 

The Agricultural Fair was recognized as a Carbon Neutral Event, organized by V-Green and assisted by more than 70 second and third-year students from the Faculty of Environmental Engineering at Kasetsart University. This effort promotes practical knowledge and experience in calculating greenhouse gas emissions from organizing the Agricultural Fair. 

Moreover, it furthers the pursuit of becoming a Green University, consistently working towards the CARBON NEUTRALITY policy of Kasetsart University. 

Kasetsart University received a Carbon Neutral Event certification for the Agricultural Fair of 2023

Dr. Damrong Sripraram, Vice President for Administration  at Kasetsart University, stated that the Agricultural Fair is a national fair that has continuously drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees and has been ongoing for nearly 50 years. Organizing a Carbon Neutral Agricultural Fair demonstrates responsibility and participation in solving the global warming issue, emphasizing the role of the university as a societal model that is committed to mitigating global warming.

In planting trees on national important days and celebrating 80 years of KU” activity There were administrators, personnel and students from the Faculty of Agriculture, community leaders and villagers in the community to plant trees such as mahogany, monkey flower tree, black rosewood, bungor  and Siamese Rosewood, totaling 770 trees at Kanchanaburi Research Station, Research and Academic Service Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, campus Kamphaeng Saen, and gave seedlings to the people in the communities surrounding the research station This activity has promoted and supported students  , personnel, alumni, community and people in the surrounding areas to take part in solving global warming problems, add green space, conserve and nourish forest resources in Kanchanaburi Research Station, create awareness of the importance of conservation of forest resources.  It is also a learning center on botany and the environment.

Days and celebrating 80 years of KU” activity

Electric motorcycle service 'EV WIN@KU' service. The service route can enter the school district because electric motorcycles do not cause noise, no air pollution but cannot pass through ECO STREET and VIROJ IMPAK ROAD (LOVING WAY). According to the plan attached to the 'EV WIN@KU' service electric motorcycle stop, there are 2 temporary stops: 

1. In front of the Lecture Hall 2.
2. Varunawan Park, behind the Museum Office (entrance and exit of Red Line-Bangkhen BTS station)

The initial observation was that the 'EV WIN@KU' service electric motorcycle had a green ribbon tied to the car body with a fiber-saving sticker on the front of the vehicle. It will develop an application to provide pick-up and drop-off services soon with cashless payment via PromptPay system. For convenience to passengers, users can suggest services on their Facebook page of  Vehicle Building and Physical Plant Division. 

In addition, the company held a joint preparatory meeting for the provision of services to students, personnel, between the management and the service motorcycle group and the hired motorcycle group, to rehearse the guidelines and agreements for the service of internal hired motorcycles in Kasetsart University on the occasion of Kasetsart University's 100% semester from June 27, 2022 onwards.

Electric motorcycle service 'EV WIN@KU'

Asst. Prof. Dr. Watcharapong Inthawong, Vice President of Chaloem Phrakiat Campus Sakon Nakhon Province Chairing the project opening ceremony Development and tree planting day for the year 2023 was attended by Mr. Weerathep Suddaen, Assistant Rector for Special Affairs and Corporate Communications. Report on the objectives of the project with Mr. Prawet Chaihad, Mayor of Chiang Khruea Subdistrict, kamnan, village headman of Chiang Khruea Subdistrict, and administrators, personnel, and Kasetsart University students. Chaloem Phrakiat Campus Sakon Nakhon Province Participate in such projects for the teacher Campus personnel and students, as well as people in the surrounding communities, join forces to develop the area. and the environment of the university to be shady, beautiful, and well landscaped. and will continue to increase the forest area of the university. which trees were planted There is a Nonsi tree for the KU 83 series, a Yang Na tree, an Inthanin tree, and a Kankrao tree. which are the provincial trees of Nakhon Phanom Province, totaling 500 trees, planted in the developed forest area surrounding Nakhon Phanom Basin.

Tree Development and Planting Day Project 2023

Global trends regarding climate change is concerned about. Cooperation from all sectors, whether international and domestic organizations, government sector, business sector, industrial sector to raise awareness of the problem and take concrete measures to reduce global warming and reduce emissions. Greenhouse gases emitted from various activities of humans continuously these include energy use, agriculture, industrial development and growth, transportation, and deforestation. Destruction of natural resources and other forms of the environment are among the leading causes of global warming daily. This problem is becoming more serious because of global warming. This makes countries the world is waking up to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon Footprint for Organization or Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) is a method of showing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from an organization's operations. This will lead to the determination of management guidelines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions effectively.

Future direction in sustainable university

Kasetsart University has improved its sustainability development policy that called Environmental Sustainability's Development Policy: KSETSART UNIVERSITY Version 4.0 (2021) and use it as a guideline for developing Kasetsart University's environmental sustainability across campus. This version includes policies related to agroforestry and biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, clean and affordable energy management, water conservation and supply management, marine pollution management ,campus planning and architecture and leadership in environmental protection in the community. Which the President of Kasetsart University Announcing support for the country's global warming reduction policy "KU Goes Green and Carbon Neutrality", including solving the country's climate crisis towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG: Sustainable Development Goals) by building on the Green University ( Green University) towards carbon neutrality in a concrete way by 2035. Kasetsart University towards carbon neutrality. On celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of Kasetsart University.