Title: Towards carbon neutrality in higher education: carbon emission accounting and mitigation pathways in a Chinese university campus

Authors: Zifan Cheng; Yufei Yang Chen; Yu Xiao; Tingting Hu; Jingqi Deng; Yusen Duan; Min Zhao; Dungang Gu; Jiaqi Lu

Addresses: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China ' School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China ' School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China ' School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China ' Department of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China ' Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, Shanghai 200235, China ' Shanghai Technology Center for Reduction of Pollution and Carbon Emissions, Shanghai 200235, China ' School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China ' School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China

Abstract: This study develops a campus-scale carbon accounting framework based on the emission factor method and applies it to a representative university campus in Shanghai, China, to quantify emission sources and assess decarbonisation pathways. Total emissions in 2023 amounted to 14,625.65 tCO₂-eq, primarily from electricity, natural gas, and wastes. Existing mitigation measures delivered 4,035.21 tCO₂-eq of carbon offsets through vegetation sinks, recycling, and rooftop photovoltaics. Scenario analyses integrating campus-level mitigation measures with power-system decarbonisation pathways reveal strong synergies among coordinated interventions, enabling a feasible transition toward low- and zero-carbon campuses. The framework provides transferable insights for university carbon neutrality strategies and contributes to broader decarbonisation efforts in the urban environment.

Keywords: campus carbon emissions; carbon emission accounting; carbon neutrality pathways; carbon offset; decarbonisation of power grid; emission factor method; university sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2026.155091

International Journal of Global Warming, 2026 Vol.39 No.3, pp.273 - 297

Received: 01 Sep 2025
Accepted: 23 Jan 2026
Published online: 27 Jul 2026 *

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