Strategies to Measure Carbon Footprints for Carbon Offsetting.
Spring 2023 Capstone Team: Ishan Bista ’23, Clara Lee ’23, Genesis Li ’23
Faculty Advisor: Laurie Miller, Cornell Jeb. E. Brooks School of Public Policy, 9 May 2023
We would like to thank our client Global Livingston Institute (GLI) for their time and support throughout the project. We would also like to acknowledge Professor Laurie Miller and her Teaching Assistants — Chang Ge and Emily Sobel. This report was possible because of the guidelines and feedback provided by them. We would also like to thank our classmates for their insights, discussions, and continuous support during the course.
Executive Summary →
Global Livingston Institute (GLI), a research and education-based nonprofit organization, is committed to educating students and community leaders on innovative approaches to international development and empowering awareness, collaboration, and personal growth. GLI asked a capstone team from the MPA program of Cornell University, Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy to examine the current carbon footprint produced by GLI and the ways to mitigate GLI’s carbon emissions. The Cornell capstone team developed this report consisting of a thorough literature review, evaluation toolkits, and data analysis for GLI to transform its sustainability approaches and implement carbon footprint offsetting with feasible actions. The report also consists of recommendations regarding further actions that GLI can take to achieve carbon offset and the overall sustainability of the communities in which they work. Limitations apply to the research as it is not possible to include all aspects of the activities that were included when accounting for carbon footprints and researching for data. Case studies and findings presented in the research may also be limited because it was difficult to find cases suited for GLI due to differences in organizational structure, country contexts, and organizational sizes.
The core research results are as follows. First, the capstone team delves into the commitment of the Ugandan and Rwandan governments to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction and climate change action. Both governments are committed to GHG emission reduction and have ambitious goals to achieve it. GLI’s carbon footprint reduction strategy would align well with government initiatives. Currently, GLI’s main carbon footprint areas that the capstone team categorizes are 1) flight, 2) transportation, 3) meals, 4) activities, and 5) accommodation. GLI puts efforts to offset their carbon emissions through using solar and batteries at Entusi Resort and Retreat Center, providing solar lanterns, practicing sustainable model farms, and opening recycling centers.
Additionally, there are certain calculators to evaluate carbon footprints such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) GHG Emissions Calculator which provides a comprehensive guideline to calculate emissions in different areas. As this guideline considers the best practices to calculate emissions in different areas, it can be helpful for GLI to measure its current carbon footprint. In addition to the calculators, the Climate Neutral Now Initiative by the UNFCCC may serve as a practical guideline for organizations to measure their Scope 1-3 emissions while promoting and facilitating the reduction of carbon footprints.
Furthermore, the capstone team identified organizations in East Africa with practices that GLI can follow to reduce its carbon footprint. The capstone team presents two case studies: Travelife and Carbon Tanzania. Travelife is a sustainability accreditation company that offers training, management, and certification initiatives for touring and safari companies. Travelife closely monitors the organization’s impact on the environment such as its carbon footprint. Travelife allows organizations to incorporate useful tools to reduce their carbon emissions by helping other organizations to conduct sustainable planning, strategic management, and employee training. Carbon Tanzania works for sustainable development in urban areas of East Africa. It generates verified forest carbon offsets to reduce and offset carbon footprints.
Based on the research results, the capstone team presents the following recommendations, which are elaborated more in the report.
First, GLI should collect baseline information on its carbon footprint offsetting efforts. GLI has many areas that it works for offsetting, such as the provision of solar lamps, sustainable model farms, and recycling centers. Collecting baseline information on these efforts would help GLI to strategize the carbon footprint offsetting actions.
Second, GLI should join the Climate Neutral Now Initiative to measure the organization’s Scope 1-3 emissions while offsetting carbon footprints.
Third, GLI should use existing tools to assess the current carbon footprints while utilizing internationally recognized tools to calculate the organizational current carbon footprints. The report presents the specific tools that will help GLI to achieve this goal.
Fourth, GLI should contact local green travel agencies in East Africa, such as Travelife and Carbon Tanzania.
Fifth, GLI should investigate similar organizations’ efforts in reducing and offsetting carbon footprints by generating verified forest carbon offsets. This may be achieved by starting to contact the local green travel agencies and initiating collaborations on reducing carbon footprints for transportation in East Africa.
Sixth, the Cornell capstone team recommends GLI use airline companies based on their sustainability practices for flights. For example, GLI can use flights such as Delta flights for all business traveling. Delta Airlines is an industry leader in committing to sustainability as it is the first U.S. airline company that offers carbon offsets to customers. It has also been continuously growing its efforts in sustainability. GLI can additionally initiate organizational collaborations with Delta Airlines regarding GLI’s carbon offsetting for flights.
Finally, GLI should expand its recycling activities. GLI should expand its recycling activities. While waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices are being promoted to manage waste, they are not among the most common practices in Uganda. The most generic form of waste disposal in Uganda is open burning. This can be harmful as burning plastic emits deadly carcinogens as well as other toxins and greenhouse gases.
