Carbon Emissions Inventory and Reporting at UNS
Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) conducts periodic carbon emissions inventories to quantify and manage its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across campus operations. The most recent inventory (2025) provides a comprehensive overview of emissions from energy use and transportation activities and serves as a baseline for institutional climate action and emission reduction strategies.
Alignment with International Carbon Accounting Frameworks
UNS adopts a scope-based emissions classification consistent with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Emissions are categorized into:
- Scope 1 (Direct emissions): fuel-based emissions from campus transportation (e.g., university-operated vehicles and commuting patterns)
- Scope 2 (Indirect emissions from energy): purchased electricity consumption
- Scope 3 (Other indirect emissions): commuting, waste management, and other indirect activities
This approach reflects the use of internationally recognized carbon accounting structures, while the university continues to strengthen methodological alignment, emission factor selection, and reporting transparency over time.
2025 Carbon Emissions Inventory (tCO₂e)
Based on the latest institutional assessment, UNS reports the following estimated emissions:
- Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions
-
- Scope 1 (Direct emissions):
Campus transportation (cars, motorcycles, buses)
= 588.13 tCO₂e
- Scope 1 (Direct emissions):
-
- Scope 2 (Purchased electricity):
= 4163.215 tCO₂e
- Scope 2 (Purchased electricity):
-
- Total Scope 1 & 2 emissions:
= 4751.35 tCO₂e
- Total Scope 1 & 2 emissions:
- Scope 3 Emissions
UNS also identifies additional indirect emission sources under Scope 3, including:
-
- Daily commuting (students and staff)
- Waste generation and treatment (including composting and hazardous waste processing)
- Online learning systems and hybrid working arrangements
- Reduced travel through virtual meetings
The total quantified Scope 3 emissions are 873.83 tCO₂e.
Evidence:
Methodology and Data Sources
The 2025 inventory is based on:
- Activity data from campus operations (electricity use, transportation patterns)
- Emission factors from publicly available carbon calculation references
- Annual operational assumptions (e.g., working days, transport frequency)
The inventory applies a consistent internal methodology across emission sources and integrates scope-based classification to ensure comparability and future scalability toward full compliance with internationally recognized standards.
Use of Inventory for Climate Action
The carbon inventory informs UNS sustainability initiatives, including:
- Expansion of renewable energy (solar panels)
- Adoption of electric vehicles and bicycles
- Car-free day policy to reduce commuting emissions
- Waste management programs (composting, recycling, hazardous waste treatment)
- Digital learning platforms to reduce travel-related emissions
These programs demonstrate how emissions data is actively used to support evidence-based sustainability policies and ongoing emission-reduction efforts.
Continuous Improvement
UNS recognizes the importance of enhancing the robustness of its carbon accounting system and is currently working to:
- Improve emission factor accuracy using internationally recognized datasets
- Expand quantitative coverage of Scope 3 emissions
- Strengthen methodological transparency and documentation
- Progress toward full alignment with global carbon reporting standards
Conclusion
The 2025 carbon emissions inventory demonstrates that UNS has established a structured and scope-based approach to carbon accounting, supported by measurable data and institutional action. While further refinement is ongoing, the current system provides a solid foundation for transparent reporting, performance tracking, and long-term climate strategy development.