Carbon footprint of science: More than flying |
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| Institution: | 1. University of Insubria, Department of Economics, via Monte Generoso 71, 21100 Varese, Italy;2. University of Insubria, Department of Human Sciences and Territorial Innovation, via Sant''Abbondio 12, 22100 Como, Italy;1. Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;2. Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;3. School of Engineering Health and Safety, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;1. Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8 9000 Gent, Belgium;2. Cosmopolis Centre for Urban Research VUB – Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, F4.55 1050 Brussels, Belgium;3. Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8 9000 Gent, Belgium;1. Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust, Truro, UK;2. King''s Health Partners Institute for Therapeutic Endoscopy, King''s College Hospital, London, UK;3. Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West Virginia University Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA |
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| Abstract: | Previous efforts to evaluate the climate change impact of researchers have focused mainly on transport related impact of conference attendance, and infrastructure. Because these represent only a part of the activities involved in the science making process this short note presents the carbon footprint of a complete science making process of one specific case. Apart from presenting the total footprint, we evaluate the relative contribution of the different scientific activities, and quantify mitigating possibilities. The case PhD project had a carbon footprint of 21.5 t CO2-eq (2.69 t CO2-eq per peer-reviewed paper, 0.3 t CO2-eq per citation and 5.4 t CO2-eq per h-index unit at graduation) of which general mobility represents 75%. Conference attendance was responsible for 35% of the carbon footprint, whereas infrastructure related emissions showed to contribute 20% of the total impact. Videoconferencing could have reduced the climate change impact on this case PhD with up to 44%. Other emission reduction initiatives, such as using green electricity, reduction of energy consumption, and promoting commuting by bicycle, could have triggered a reduction of 14% in this case study. This note fits in the movement of academics and universities willing to be green. The study confirms that researchers’ mobility is the biggest contributor to his or her carbon footprint, but is not limited to conference attendance, showing the importance of considering all activities in the science making process. |
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| Keywords: | PhD Global warming potential Research Science making |
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