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Environmental Impact of Mobility in Higher-Education Institutions: The Case of the Ecological Footprint at the University of A Coruña (Spain)

Author

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  • Jose-Benito Perez-Lopez

    (Group of Railways and Transportation Engineering, Department of Economics, Facultad de Economía y Empresa, Campus de Elviña, Universidade da Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Alfonso Orro

    (Group of Railways and Transportation Engineering, Departament of Civil Engineering, ETS Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Campus de Elviña, Universidade da Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Margarita Novales

    (Group of Railways and Transportation Engineering, Departament of Civil Engineering, ETS Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Campus de Elviña, Universidade da Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain)

Abstract

Ecological footprint (EF) determines the area of ecologically productive territory necessary to produce the resources utilised and to assimilate the waste produced by a given population over a year. Knowing your own EF is the first step in planning and implementing policies to reduce it. Considering that transport is a significant component of the impact of human activity on the environment, this study calculates the EF of the CO 2 emissions associated with person mobility (EFM) at the University of A Coruña (UDC). The results presented are based on statistical inference from surveys conducted in 2008, 2016, and 2020. The period 2008–2016 coincides with the effects of the economic crisis, and 2020 with those of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EFM of UDC in 2016 was 2177 global hectares (gha), 148 times its biocapacity. Ninety-two percent of it was generated by car trips. Policies to reduce the environmental impact of mobility should focus on reducing car use. This study analyzes various factors of variability. The EFM per capita of the commutes from the place of residence to the UDC campuses grew between 2008 and 2020 by 17%. The results obtained are compared with those of other nearby universities and around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose-Benito Perez-Lopez & Alfonso Orro & Margarita Novales, 2021. "Environmental Impact of Mobility in Higher-Education Institutions: The Case of the Ecological Footprint at the University of A Coruña (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6190-:d:566220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salah Vaisi & Hooshmand Alizadeh & Werya Lotfi & Saleh Mohammadi, 2021. "Developing the Ecological Footprint Assessment for a University Campus, the Component-Based Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Krzysztof Kafarski & Jan K. Kazak, 2022. "Erasmus Staff Mobility in the Building of a European Network: The Case of a Central European University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Liziane Araújo da Silva & Ana Regina de Aguiar Dutra & José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra, 2023. "Decarbonization in Higher Education Institutions as a Way to Achieve a Green Campus: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Hidalgo-González, Cristina & Rodríguez-Fernández, M Pilar & Pérez-Neira, David, 2022. "Energy consumption in university commuting: Barriers, policies and reduction scenarios in León (Spain)," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 48-57.

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