# Towards a Climate-Neutral Campus: Carbon Footprint Assessment in Higher Education Institutions
## 5 Discussion
### Benchmarking TUCN's Emissions with Other Universities  
To facilitate the accurate benchmarking of institutional CFs, it is imperative that HEIs employ transparent methodologies for estimating their GHG emissions [12; 17]. This approach not only reveals institutional strategies but also enables more precise comparisons, fostering a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences in primary GHG emissions.  
Examining the CF assessment at TUCN, the results indicate total emissions of 7445.1 \(\text{CO}_{2}\text{e}\)/year in 2022. This breakdown further reveals that the emissions per occupied area amounted to 0.031 \(\text{tCO}_{2}\text{e}\)/m2, while per-person emissions reached 0.378 \(\text{tCO}_{2}\text{e}\)/person. Notably, in 2023, total emissions decreased by 2.98% to 7229.1 \(\text{tCO}_{2}\text{e}\)/year, accompanied by a reduction in emissions per area to 0.030 \(\text{tCO}_{2}\text{e}\)/m2 and to 0.36 \(\text{tCO}_{2}\text{e}\)/person. These figures highlight a positive trend towards reduced carbon emissions at TUCN.  
To ensure a more equitable comparison, we selected a pool of European universities that evaluated all three Scopes in their CF assessment and whose results are reported in terms of functional units per-person and per square meter. For our initial comparative analysis, we selected the University of Oulu from Finland [26] and Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld (UCB) in Germany, a unique case study with a 100% renewable energy supply [29]. We also compared our results to the Spanish University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), which employed the same Ecoinvent database in their reported emissions [34], and De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, United Kingdom [27]. Table 2 provides the data for the comparison.  
Overall, TUCN compares favourably to the other universities in terms of emissions per square meter and emissions per person. The differences might be attributed to a combination of factors like energy-efficient buildings, emission factors, commuting patterns, waste management or specific activities conducted within the institutions. In addition, the data provided are from different years for each university, which makes direct comparisons difficult. Further, the climate zone in which each university is located can affect their emissions. Universities in colder climates may have higher emissions due to increased heating needs.  
TUCN's Scope 3 emissions are notably lower than those of other universities, constituting only 28.3% of its total emissions. For instance, UCB, despite its 100% renewable energy supply, faces a significant Scope 3 burden, accounting for 90% of its total emissions. Without considering Scope 3 emissions, UCB's emissions per square meter and per person would be substantially lower, at 0.012 \(\text{tCO}_{2}\text{e}\)/m2 and 0.113 \(\text{tCO}_{2}\text{e}\)/person, respectively. UCB's commitment to renewable energy demonstrates the potential of sustainable energy sources in mitigating direct emissions. However, the dominance of Scope 3 emissions highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to carbon reduction, encompassing both direct and indirect emissions.  
Regarding the other HEIs considered in the benchmark, the exclusion of Scope 3 emissions from their CF assessment would have resulted in significantly lower emissions per square meter and per person. This underscores the substantial impact of indirect emissions on the overall environmental performance of these institutions. By neglecting Scope 3 emissions, HEIs can create a misleading impression of their CF, potentially hindering their ability to effectively reduce their environmental impact. Therefore, it is imperative for HEIs to adopt a comprehensive approach to CF assessment.  
As we move forward, understanding CFs becomes increasingly crucial in supporting the EU's ambitious goal of achieving 100 climate-neutral cities. This next subchapter will delve deeper into the role of the CF as a powerful tool in achieving this sustainable urban future.