13.2 Low Carbon Energy Use
13.2.1 LOW CARBON ENERGY TRACKING
Academic institutions and colleges are important educators for climate actions and sustainable environmental management but their operations themselves generate CO2 emission that needs proper accounting and reporting. With this, Benguet State University tracked the amount of low carbon energy used across the university.
For 2023, BSU used 1,008.99 MWh or 3,632.36 GJ of electrical energy for its different operations. The monthly electric consumption did not vary greatly ranging at 74.38 – 101.58 MWh (Figure 1A). Lowest electricity use was recorded in the third quarter of the year, with the lowest in September. The total electric consumption of the university was equivalent to 1,092 Mg CO2 emission. READ MORE…
13.2.2 AMOUNT OF LOW CARBON ENERGY USED ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY
The total energy used by Benguet State University from January to December 2023 is 6,645.74 GJ. Out of this, the amount of low carbon energy (electricity) used was 3,632.04 GJ (1,008.99 MWh) which is equivalent to 54.65%. READ MORE…
13.3 Environmental Education Measures
13.3.1 LOCAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON CLIMATE
The university provides local education programs on climate change, global warming, disaster risks reduction and management in its academic programs. For instance, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BSES), Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Master of Science in Environmental Science offers courses related to environmental issues and climate change. READ MORE…
13.3.2 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
BSU is a Carbon Sink University which strives to move towards a Green and Climate Smart University. To achieve this, among its climate action plans are:
- continuous monitoring of its carbon emission, stock and sequestration;
- continuation of its car-less day every first Thursday of the Month and monitoring of its effects on carbon emission;
- maintaining and enhancing climate change education in academic curricula;
- continuation and enhancement of extension programs, projects and activities related to climate action such as the Adopt-a-Forest program; and
- implementation and publication of researches on climate change.
13.3.3 CO-OPERATIVE PLANNING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE DISASTERS
The university actively participates in cooperative planning for climate change-related disasters by offering its land area as designated evacuation spaces and its buildings as evacuation centers during strong typhoons. This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to supporting the community’s preparedness and resilience in the face of natural calamities. In 2023, the municipality of La Trinidad proposed an evacuation center that will be situated within the BSU property in barangay Wangal.
News Article: Municipality of La Trinidad proposed evacuation center within BSU property
13.3.4 INFORM AND SUPPORT GOVERNMENT
The university maintains strong ties with municipal and provincial local government units (LGUs) for collaborative efforts in local climate change disaster risk management and early warning systems. Through its research initiatives, the university is actively developing and implementing technologies aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change and El Niño on crop productivity, thereby contributing to the resilience of local communities and the sustainability of agricultural practices. For instance, the Department of Agriculture- Cordillera (DA-CAR) office also uses the latest climate tools, including a map drawn up by Benguet State University detailing towns most vulnerable to droughts and to landslides and flooding during monsoons, as well as weather forecasting models, which the agency shares with agricultural communities.
News Article: DA-Cordillera seeks climate change tech as El Niño crop damage hits P768M
13.3.5 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COLLABORATE WITH NGO
The university is actively collaborating with NGOs and industries to promote environmental education and sustainability. From June 2023 to June 2024, the university partnered with Northern Cement Corporation (NCC) on research focused on carbon stock, carbon emissions, and ecological studies, contributing to the advancement of environmental science and climate action.
Document Brief: MOA between BSU and NCC
13.4 Commitment to Carbon Neutral University
13.4.1 COMMITMENT TO CARBON NEUTRAL UNIVERSITY
Benguet State University, with its four-fold functions (instruction, research, extension and production), is committed in making its internal operations conducive for climate action by:
- Calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our operations.
- Estimating the carbon stock and carbon sequestration of its land areas and forest reserves
- Enhancing the carbon sink potential of the university thru adopt-a-forest schemes and research linkages
13.4.2 ACHIEVE BY DATE
In 2023, Benguet State University is already a carbon sink, more than just being a carbon neutral. To maintain and possibly enhance its capacity as a carbon neutral and a carbon sink, the university commits to:
| COMMITMENTS | ACHIEVE BY |
|---|---|
|
1. Calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our operations. |
2023 |
|
2. Estimating the carbon stock and carbon sequestration of its land areas and forest reserves |
2023 |
|
3. Enhancing the carbon sink potential of the university thru adopt-a-forest schemes and research linkages |
2023 |
