13.4.1 Commitment to carbon neutral universi

In 2025, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) has a target date by which it will become carbon neutral: 2040, under the "SWU Carbon Neutrality by 2040" framework. The commitment covers the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the whole university and is measured following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol scopes. In the academic year 2025, SWU assessed its organisational carbon footprint across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 (partial) to track progress towards this target.

1. Target date: SWU Carbon Neutrality by 2040

SWU declared its commitment to "SWU Carbon Neutrality 2040" on 12 July 2024 at the Asok Montri Concert and Performance Hall, Innovation Building, Prasarnmit Campus. The commitment is formalised through a memorandum of understanding between the central administration and all faculties, colleges, institutes and offices, and remains in place in 2025. The target is aligned with Thailand’s national goals of carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero GHG emissions by 2065.

Under the framework, university units reduce GHG emissions, increase carbon capture on campus and record data on buildings, electricity, waste and water to build a university-wide GHG emissions database for monitoring progress.

Figure 1. SWU Carbon Neutrality 2040 declaration ceremony, 12 July 2024.

Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/swu-sdgs/sdg-13/1341

2. Scopes covered: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 (partial)

In the academic year 2025, SWU conducted an Organizational Carbon Footprint (OCF) assessment of its Ongkharak Campus following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol scopes. Total emissions were 16,359.86 tCO2e per year (1.79 tCO2e per person). Scope 1 (direct emissions) was 1,511.90 tCO2e, mainly from refrigerant leakage and LPG for cooking; Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity) was 13,699.05 tCO2e, or 83.74% of the total; and Scope 3 (other indirect emissions, partial) was 1,148.91 tCO2e, covering waste sent to landfill, official travel and paper consumption. Based on these results, SWU is prioritising lower electricity use through energy efficiency and solar energy systems.

Figure 2. Overview of GHG emissions by Scope 1–3, SWU Ongkharak Campus, 2025.

Source: UI GreenMetric evidence, Srinakharinwirot University (Ongkharak Campus)

Summary

In 2025, SWU has a target date of 2040 to become carbon neutral under the "SWU Carbon Neutrality by 2040" framework, and measures its GHG emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 (partial) according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.