Carbon Balance in Educational Institutions: Greenhouse Gases Emission and Carbon Removal Inventory

Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are escalating at a rapid pace and the consequences related to climate change are the focus of major global discussions. Educational Institutions (EIs) are increasingly active in promoting social changes toward sustainable development by elaborating and implementing alternatives that consider environmental concerns in their principles and infrastructure. Climate change is an environmental problem that has been challenging organizations, including EIs, in the search for solutions to minimize it, such as carbon neutrality. The GHG Emission and Carbon Removal Inventory is the first step toward a carbon–neutral organization. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present a proposal for standardizing guidelines to allow EIs to prepare their GHG inventory, and if necessary, to neutralize their GHG emissions. The work was based on theoretical information about the GHG inventory elaboration methodologies and practical experiences lived by the authors. The main contribution was a guide for the management of GHG emissions, in addition to showing what is done at the EI, especially at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), through the “Carbono Zero UFV” Program. The initiatives adopted by some EIs already indicate an advance in terms of the sustainability of the academic community. GHG inventories and any sustainable practices adopted by EIs can help publicize the subject, promoting changes in the academic community and society in general.