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 61st 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 80th 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 Forests plays an important role in the production of research. student Internship and academic services to the society as well as providing the ecosystem service for students, staff and visitors, as the source of greenhouse gases, water sources, conservation of plants and animals, etc. For the economy and society, it is the food banks, and the hiring place of local workers for distributing of the ecotourism to the community.

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.

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.

VGREEN Center, Kasetsart University currently registered as an external assessor of Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) from The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGATT), the first and only in Thailand. Revealed that there are 5 registered who are ready to provide assessment services to certify renewable energy production from now on.

    Asst. Prof. Dr. Rattanawan Mungkung, Director at Centre of Excellence on Environmental Strategy for GREEN business (VGREEN), Kasetsart University. Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Unit TIS 14065-2560 (ISO 14065: 2013) revealed that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) as a certification provider according to the International Renewable Energy Certificate Standard (I-REC) certifies VGREEN, KU, or the Centre of Excellence on Environmental Strategy for GREEN business, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University. Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Unit TIS 14065-2560 (ISO 14065: 2013) has been registered as an external assessor (3rd party verifier) for REC, Renewable Energy Certificate. From 18 June 2021, which is the first in Thailand and is the only one at the moment with 5 registered assessors, and is now ready to provide assessment services to certify renewable energy production from now on. 

As the importance of the Renewable Energy Production Certificate or REC, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ratanawan indicates that it is a mechanism that allows electricity producers and consumers to claim the production and use of electricity from renewable energy with the approval from the agency designated by the owner of the mechanism. Support the development and production of renewable energy projects. The private sector has the option to use renewable energy to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. It allows investors to develop renewable energy projects for potential revenue-generating from selling renewable energy production certificates. It is to create a clean and sustainable energy source in Thailand. It will also drive the country towards achieving Thailand's greenhouse gas reduction target of 20-25 percent by 2030, as pledged in the Paris Agreement towards a low-carbon society.

The VGREEN Center has been registered as an external assessor of REC.

On December 19, 2023, Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University, signed a service contract with Mr. Wilas Chaloysat, Governor of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), for the installation and maintenance of energy-saving equipment. This agreement is part of the renewable energy production system or alternative energy project between the MEA and Kasetsart University. The ceremony took place at the Kamphon Adulwit Room, 50th Anniversary Information Building at Kasetsart University.

The Governor of the MEA revealed that, as a state enterprise responsible for managing electricity distribution in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan, the MEA is driving the government's renewable energy policies and is pleased to collaborate with Kasetsart University. The installation of a 10.14 MWp Solar Rooftop system will reduce fossil energy consumption by approximately 12,967.96 MWh per year, resulting in a reduction of approximately 6,185.71 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to planting 351,461 teak trees. This project aligns with Thailand's Carbon Neutrality goal by 2050 and aims for Net Zero Emissions by 2065 as part of the national energy development plan.

Signing Ceremony between Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Kasetsart University

Remark: All activities in section 2.11 refer to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as Global Goals, particularly SDG 13: Climate Action. This goal focuses on improving education, raising awareness, and strengthening human and institutional capacities on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction.