Transportation

by Irene

I am currently working on calculating CO2 emissions from air travel conducted by students/staff 2009-2010. The most difficult aspect of the task is settling down on a CO2 kg/km emission factor. Even among the UK Universities using the Carbon Trust Management Plan there are varying factors, let alone the large difference between the factor(s) used in UK and those in America. It seems in America the factor is higher because our calculators are accounting for radiative forcing. But Universities here typically accounting for uplift (this takes into account that sometimes flights take an indirect path from Point A to Point B, and also circling and delays) as well as assigning different emissions for short haul versus long haul trips (taking into account that the most fuel is burned for take off and landing).

That settled, I am interested what the data will show. I think for the purposes of the University, at this point, the most important data is figuring out number of miles traveled (long haul and short haul) and then multiplying them by the appropriate GHG emissions factor. But I think in terms of creating an action plan, I think it would also be useful to see when the most trips are taken (which months) and which departments. This is certainly not to point fingers at anyone or any time. But can perhaps lead to opening up more tele-conferencing rooms in those particular months or conducting a finer analysis of the types of trips being taken.