Changing our Worlddo we plant trees or create online courses?

Done by: Sem 2 Group 3Ang Guo Xiang Toh Yilin Janice

Chong Zhihui, Ray Tan Ying Jie, Olivia

Lim Wei Loong, Bryan Tan Xingtai, Nicholas

Carbon Footprint of NTU

•In order to determine statistically if classroom learning should be taken over by E-learning, we must first calculate the carbon footprint of NTU as of now.

•The method used to calculate the carbon footprint of NTU is similar to that of in Sprangers (2012)

•The carbon emissions from each activity is calculated by:(Sum of All Activity Data Factors x Emission Factors)

Scope Emission Category Total CO2 Emission (kg CO2)

Total CO2 Emission (%)

1 Direct Transportation Sources•Shuttle buses

2,654.95 0.0031%

2 Purchased Electricity 81,918,000 96.71%

Scope Emission Category Total CO2 Emission (kg CO2)

Total CO2 Emission (%)

3 Faculty and Staff Commuting 227,452.80 0.27%

3 Students Commuting 548,210.36 0.65%

3 Employee Travel 691,415.62 0.82%

3 Water Usage 306,064 0.36%

3 Paper Consumption 19,582.64 0.023%

3 Waste 990,631.09 1.17%

For more information, please refer to the Appendix.

Carbon Footprint of NTU

The total carbon emissions from NTU is estimated to be:

84,704,011.46 kgCO2

Should we change to E-Learning?

Pros of E-learning

• Reduced overall cost for NTU due to the elimination of costs associated with instructor's salaries, meeting room rentals, and student travel, lodging, and meals.

• Learning times reduced, an average of 40 to 60 percent, as found by Brandon Hall

• Learners and instructor do not need to be online at the same time; Facilitate asynchronous learning.

• Allows for self-paced training• Eliminate barriers of time, distance, and socio-economic status• More focus on the needs of the individual learner• Take advantage of the Internet: real time, anywhere, anytime• Cuts paperwork and administrative overhead.

Limitations of E-learning

• With e-learning, the biggest trade-off is the student’s learning process and experience that can only be derived from a traditional classroom setting.

Stakeholder Analysis: StudentsTraditional class setting E-learning

They are able to approach their instructor for more information

Fails to prepare students for participation in learning experiences such as working in groups and simulation of real-life working environment.

They are able to obtain clarifications for concepts

A lack of rigor and execution opportunities given in an e-learning course.

They can engage in discussion with the instructor and other classmates

Under such conditions, students may find themselves feeling handicapped or overwhelmed when faced with the demands at work

Allows for exchange opinions and ideas

Stakeholder Analysis: StudentsTraditional class setting E-learning

The existence of such social interactions creates a positive climate that is unique to a classroom setting and is instrumental to facilitate the instructor’s job and capture the attention of students to engage them in learning.

The lack of social interaction or vigilance in an e-learning setting has been known to result in shorter attention span and poor overall satisfaction and learning outcomes.

Stakeholder Analysis: StudentsTraditional class setting E-learning

Students tend to learn more when guided by a teacher as they stand to benefit more from the teacher’s knowledge than from the text alone.

There is no safe conclusion about the effectiveness of e-learning as the existing evaluations are usually informal and conducted by users rather than independent sources.

Large-scale evaluations have tended to focus on issues such as usability, learner preferences, and equipment quality rather than learner outcome.

• Cultural acceptance: Local students used to the traditional-classroom method of delivering learning materials that they were exposed to since primary school, hence they may be less receptive to the shift to e-learning

• Negative attitudes due to the technology issues like lack of user-friendliness, unsophisticated e-learning platform, possible problems with accessing the e-learning portal.

• The amount of uploaded information electronically for each course far exceeded the pace and information workload of conventional teaching and thus resulted in disorientation and exhaustion of students.

General attitudes of NTU students towards e-learning

Conclusion• E-learning may be a viable option in terms of sustainability, as

it will significantly reduce the amount of energy consumed within the school. However, after considering the limitations posed to the students, we conclude that a significant shift of course delivery to E-learning may not be feasible.

• In view of sustainability, we propose that E-learning can be gradually introduced into our curriculum, but not to the extent that it will be at the expense of the students’ interests.

• We hope that through this gradual process, students may subsequently become accustomed to E-learning, which will reduce these current limitations, opening up more E-learning opportunities in the future.

Carbon Offsets

“Carbon offsets are the modern day indulgences, sold

to an increasingly carbon conscious public to

absolve their climate sins”.

Kevin Smith 2007 The Carbon Neutral Myth

Stakeholders

Management

CO2 Australia

Students

Local Community

Singapore Government

AustralianGovernment

Stakeholders

Management

CO2 Australia

Students

Local Community

Singapore Government

AustralianGovernment

Management - NTU• Easy and practical alternative to achieve carbon neutral target• Able to focus on improving other aspects of NTU• Understands that this idea would probably not achieve long

term sustainability

Stakeholders

Management

CO2 Australia

Students

Local Community

Singapore Government

AustralianGovernment

CO2 Australia

• For-profit organisation: Business model provides a steady revenue stream

• Able to tap on many organisations worldwide who prefers short-term solutions

Stakeholders

Management

CO2 Australia

Students

Local Community

Singapore Government

AustralianGovernment

Students• Perceive the school as putting effort in

being responsible for their actions and accountable for their carbon footprints

• Sees NTU as a reputable school

Stakeholders

Management

CO2 Australia

Students

Local Community

Singapore Government

AustralianGovernment

Local Community• General improvement to the

environment• Positive outlook of the carbon

emission situation

Stakeholders

Management

CO2 Australia

Students

Local Community

Singapore Government

AustralianGovernment

Singapore Government• Outflow of economic resources which does not improve the

Singapore economy• Positive effects of buying carbon credit not directly affected by

Singapore but in host country instead• Indeed cheaper to carry out such activities in Australia due to

the lack of land space in Singapore

Stakeholders

Management

CO2 Australia

Students

Local Community

Singapore Government

AustralianGovernment

Australian Government• Inflow of economic resources which

boosts the Australian economy• Overall carbon footprint low due to

plants• Improvement of the hole in the

ozone layer which has started to spread to southern parts of Australia

Justification for offsets

• Atmosphere uniformly mixed so greenhouse gas reductions can occur anywhere

• Some people, countries and sectors find full domestic reductions too difficult

• Developing countries should gain some benefits from Kyoto

• Emission reductions are cheaper/easier in developing world

• Projects can have side benefits for sustainable development, biodiversity etc.

Justification for offsets

• In cases where emissions are inevitable, offsets provide a way to try to remediate the effects.

• Offsets are a source of investment for renewable energy and other projects to mitigate climate change, therefore filling the void that some governments have left by not stepping in to regulate and/or limit the production of carbon dioxide emissions.

• Socio-economic and environmental benefits such as biodiversity conservation and improvements in the quality of life for a local population.

• 20-25 per cent of anthropogenic emissions released into the atmosphere are caused by land use change and therefore climate change mitigation must address land use and deforestation.

Justification for offsets

• Carbon sequestration through re-vegetation could provide the renewable biomass materials and fuels needed for the future. In addition to carbon sequestration, forests can also cool the planet by evaporating water to the atmosphere and increasing cloudiness.

Justification for offsets

Ethical concerns of carbon offsetting

Fundamental Moral

Objection

Outcome dependent

Project Level Issues

1. Fundamental Moral Objection

• A price should not be put on the environment• Only regards the instrumental value but disregards the

intrinsic value• Moral values subsumed & disregarded

2. Outcome dependent

• Offsets fine in principle as long as benefits outweigh costs• Achieving environmental goals• Has limitations such as:1. Scientific Uncertainty due to the Global Carbon Cycle and

Measurement and monitoring issues.2. Policy Failure due to difficulties in implementation and

design.

3. Project Level Issues• Neo-Colonialist: A policy whereby a major power uses economic and political means

to perpetuate or extend its influence over underdeveloped nations or areas

Cumulative CO2 emissions 1950-2000: with and without land use change and forestrysource: http://pdf.wri.org/navigating_numbers_chapter6.pdf

3. Project Level Issues

• unequal revenue distribution from projects• corporate profiteering • lack of local participation• bias towards large industrial projects• questionable sustainable development benefits• Over emphasizing on carbon and neglects sustainability

Analysis• CO2 Australia effective in reducing worldwide carbon

emissions but does not solve the core problem• The carbon emissions by NTU

• Carbon trading is aimed at the wrong goal• Should instead target the cause of carbon emissions in NTU

instead

• Buying the opportunity to increase more carbon emissions• Organizations are merely using purchase of carbon credits as a

chance to increase carbon emissions• “Think money can buy everything”

• Tree planting lacks permanence and does not solve our reliance on fossil fuels

• Leaving it to the market is ineffective and undemocratic

Analysis

• Long term: In the long run, NTU should not undertake the purchase of carbon credits as it is not sustainable and does not effectively solve the root of the problem. Such purchases only temporary. Instead, other alternatives should be considered. • Short Term: Carbon trading is a viable option for NTU in the

short run as it is a practical and effective for NTU to fulfil immediate carbon credit needs.

Analysis

• Biasness of the sources / writersSome of our sources may be bias. For example, writers who are for carbon trading may be businessman looking at the practical benefits of carbon trading while writers who are against carbon trading maybe non-profit environmental organizations that emphasizes on the importance of sustainability.

Assumptions

Conclusion

• Important Ethical Issues have to be dealt with before NTU proceeds with Carbon Offsetting even though carbon trading is viable in the short run.• While we acknowledge that in the short term it is beneficial

for NTU to purchase carbon credits, the ethical concerns and long term sustainability are of greater importance.

Conclusion

• Based on the findings on the NTU’s carbon emissions earlier, NTU does not require immediate carbon offsets. Hence, NTU should lean towards long term sustainability instead of the convenience carbon offsetting provides.

Other Alternatives

Preview of Alternatives• Based on the article given (The Greening of Industry),

• The Singapore government has been very successful in her green campaigns

• Our challenge is to translate this success from a national level to a university level

• We will now analyze the approaches taken by the government

Approaches by the GovernmentApproaches Example

Approach 1 : Top down, Command and Control Approach

Greater industrial regulation and collaborative initiatives

Letting the companies decide what green measures to implement instead of the government implementing measures for them to adhere to. Led to increased participation.

Approach 2 : 2-Prongled Approach (1) Resource conservation through a more intensive and coordinated effort at developing the recycling industry (2) Waste reduction and elimination at source through product and process innovations as well as developing green technologies for industry through private-public collaborations

Provide practical guidelines via a guidebook and e.g. of org generating cost savings (show the benefits of doing so)

Approaches by the GovernmentApproaches Example

Approach 3 : Collaborating closely with Major Stakeholders

Government developed innovative technologies through collaborations with companies. These collaborations can allow fresh new ideas to emerge which are likely to be more efficient and feasible for the companies. It also instills in them a sense of ownership in this project.

Approach 4 : Funding Projects which consider environmental factors

Entice companies to consider the environment in their projects and giving them extra funding. Also, allow easier access to resource to companies with environmental projects.

However, a School is different from a Government!

• These approaches cannot be applied directly from a school to students as per a government to a business

• Due to : -• Unlike a government, the university itself is a business• It is profit-driven ; cost efficiency and effectiveness is still

important• Additionally, a school’s main priority is to provide education, not

to provide for the environment

Our Initiative:School-based Green Movement

Rationale

• Outcome more probable• Easier to implement and monitor results• If everybody plays their part to regulate or

reduce carbon emission, a carbon neutral future is probable.•More tangible

CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU AND I

Features of the initiativeFeatures1. Funds reallocation to entice environmental conservation in planning events

2. Greater involvement of the student body in environmental conservation efforts

3. Provide practical guidelines to reduce wastage

1. Funds reallocation to entice environmental conservation in planning events

What is currently done What can be done In line with approach

The school reserves funds for school-based activities such as Freshmen Orientation Camps and Campaigns.

School can reserve a portion of the fund and granted to the students only if their proposals includes environmental considerations e.g. plans to recycle the lunchboxes, waste reduction measures)

Give priority for approval to projects that incorporates environmental sustainability

1 ✔

2

3 ✔

4 ✔

Potential impact: Incentive to fulfill their pledge to conserve the environment Can be implemented at no extra cost

2. Greater involvement of the student body in environmental conservation effortsWhat can be done In line

with approach

Create an online platform for exchange of excess resources by the various committees. For example, extra plates or cups leftover from the event can be passed over to another event committee facilitated by the online platform

1 ✔

2 ✔

Hold sessions for various student bodies to gather and discuss measures they can implement to improve on electricity /waste reduction, utilization of resources and recycling efforts

3 ✔

4

Potential impact: Reduce wastage (buy less throw less) Reduce cost of event, benefiting both the student body and the school Ideas raised by student themselves likely to garner more participation More feasible in the school context Greater sense of ownership

3. Provide practical guidelines to reduce wastage

Potential impact: Inculcate in students habit of energy saving/ recycling low cost of implementation School enjoys reduced cost of operation (electricity)

Current What can be done In line with approach

Computers are not shut down after use

Automate the computers in the school compound to shut down after a certain time

1

Lights in most areas are manually operated (switching on/off)

Increase the number of lights with motion sensor

2 ✔

Enforce that offices recycles waste paper and reuse recycled paper if possible

3

Set up baskets for reusable waste paper. Students can pick up these papers to do their rough work on

4

How it affects Stakeholders• Students • Enjoy the experience and process of environmental conservation• Be familiar with methods to which they can contribute to

conserving the environment

• School• Increased cost savings• May enable them to win Green Awards (i.e BCA Green Mark

Champion Award) enhance reputation• Government Incentives

• Non-Government Organizations• An addition avenue for them to carry out their green initiatives• Achieve their aims of environmental conservation since schools will

take huge steps in conservation

Comparison of the 3 InitiativesCriteria Analysis

E-learning Carbon Offset

School-Based Initiatives

Feasibility in Schools ✔ ✔ ✔

Short-Term Effectiveness ✔ ✔

Long-Term Effectiveness ✔ ✔

Ease of Implementation ✔ ✔ ✔

E-learning : Due to the lack of social interaction and general low receptivity towards E-learning Carbon Offset : Inappropriate in the long run due to ethical and sustainability constraints

Our Choice! • As seen from the table before, School-based initiative can be

seen as more effective than Carbon Offset and E-learning

• On top of that, School-based initiatives can reap the following benefits better than the other 2 options : -• Low cost of implementation• Highly effective and ethical • Easy to monitor and control• Benefits all stakeholders involved

Executive Summary

The total carbon emissions form NTU is estimated to be at an alarming level of 84,704,011.46 KgCO2. It is important for NTU to implement the initiative that best balances the interests of the related stakeholders. School-based initiatives are the most feasible, ethical and effective solution for NTU, relative to Carbon Offset and E-learning. Diverse clubs and student bodies within NTU provide us with a great opportunity to successfully implement our initiative. Based on the research and comparisons made by our team, we are certain that the option we chose is the most viable option.