Carbon Footprint and the student lifestyle: drivers of carbon footprint of UPLB College of Economics and Management Students

Date

1-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Maria Angeles O. Catelo

Committee Member

Ma. Nova R. Nguyen, Gideon P. Carnaje

Abstract

Carbon Footprint has developed into an accessible tool to assess one’s contribution to harming the environment. In this study, the focus is on measuring Carbon Footprint (CF) at an individual level, specifically, from the stance of a student’s lifestyle. Using Carbon Footprint Calculation, and Environmental Kuznets Curve Regression, this study investigated the behavior of the CF under the influence of the different factors and activities that have been found to significantly affect it. The results of CF calculation found that the annual average CF of CEM students amounted to 965.72kg/CO2e. This finding was lower compared to the chosen baseline references of Cortes (2022) and Abarracoso (2022) which results amounted to 1,100kg/CO2e and 2,554.59kg/CO2e, respectively. Of all the activities selected for CF calculation in this study, the top three contributors to were dining, electricity consumption, and personal computer use. Comparing such with the chosen baseline references highlighted the effect of the variation in methodology on the results of CF Calculation, specifically, on the selection of activities included and emission factors used. The regression results found that income and campus proximity were significant variables that affect student CF. Campus proximity had a positive relationship with CF. However, the income variable stands out as its squared term was included to capture the presence of EKC. Results show that income had a negative relationship with CF, and its squared term had a positive relationship with student CF, which leads this study to conclude that there is not enough evidence to support the theory behind EKC, and that as income increases, CF also increases, with no evidence of a turning point.

Language

English

LC Subject

Carbon Footprint

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2024 E2 P83

Notes

Viewing access to electronic resources is restricted solely to UP Gmail accounts. Any access and share requests from external organizations and personal email accounts will be promptly declined.

Document Type

Thesis

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS