This document presents a sustainability plan for Nanyang Technological University (NTU) consisting of a carbon offset program, sustainable infrastructure initiatives, and efforts to raise awareness. It analyzes NTU's current energy usage and carbon footprint, evaluates 10 potential alternatives, and recommends a strategy involving carbon offsets, water conservation, vertical farming, green roofs, and a sustainability ambassador program. Risks and mitigation strategies are also discussed.

1. CO2 Australia
AB0401 Sustainable Enterprise
Seminar Group 04
Project team 6
Blias Tan
Fung Yi Biao
Lee Wan Ling
Sea Rui Quan
Tan Chun Hao
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
1

2. NTU aims to build a Sustainable Metropolis…






200 hectares of land area
1.1 million m2 gross floor area
Energy consumption in FY 12 = 164 million kWh
Volume of water consumed in FY12 = 814,000 m3
16 Halls of Residence for 9000 students
600 faculty apartments
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
2

3. by EE – 10% initiatives,
ERI@N-ODFMSEO Energy
Efficiency Minus
10 Initiative
(EE -10%)
Environmental
Protection
measures








Energy
Efficiency
Features
Situation Analysis

Alternatives
Airtightness in buildings and doorways
Increasing Aircon Set Points from 24oC to 24.5 or 25oC
Delaying Aircon start-up and shutdown by 30mins
Energy Reduction for Ventilation Units
High Efficiency Lighting Systems
Behavioural Incentives: Ownership of Energy Costs by
Departments
Encouraging active participation of Staff in Energy
Efficiency and Savings
Implementation of Solar Thermal cooling systems for
cooling
(hot water + absorption chillers)
Implementing Solar PV system
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
3

4. environmental protection measures,
ERI@N-ODFMSEO Energy
Efficiency Minus
10 Initiative
(EE -10%)
Environmental
Protection
measures







Energy
Efficiency
Features
Situation Analysis

Alternatives
Recycled compost for plant
Waste recycling via recycled bins
Preservation of existing trees by transplanting
Optimise use of concrete by calculating and reducing
Concrete Usage Index
Use of zero ozone depletion refrigerant
Non- chemical termite soil treatment system for pest
control
Green label products such as carpet, concrete
aggregate, drain cell, etc
Low volatile compound paint
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
4

5. and energy efficiency features.
ERI@N-ODFMSEO Energy
Efficiency Minus
10 Initiative
(EE -10%)
Environmental
Protection
measures







Energy
Efficiency
Features


Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Natural ventilation for common areas and corridors
Motion sensors in toilets and campus perimeter
lightings
Sub-metering to monitor and encourage saving on
energy and water consumption
Use of T5 high frequency florescent lighting
CO sensor to control car park ventilation system
Thermal energy storage to run main cooling plant at
night to enjoy lower tariff rates
High performance low emissivity glasses to reduce
cooling load
Green roofs to cool ceiling to reduce heat gain to
building
High efficiency elevators with sleep mode control
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
5

6. We calculated the carbon footprint based on the ‘falling
dominoes’ concept
Just like falling dominoes, carbon emissions are a culmination
of direct, electricity indirect and other indirect GHG
emissions…
Scope 1

Scope 3
Direct GHG
emissions

Scope 2
Electricity indirect
GHG emissions
Other indirect GHG
emissions
Direct transportation
sources
Purchased electricity



Employee
commuting
Student commuting
Water Usage

Paper consumption
Source: Adapted from Steven Sprangers, 2011
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
6

7. NTU’s total carbon footprint based on guesstimate is
128,970 tons/year and SGD$3.5 million carbon offset
Scope 1

Scope 3
Direct GHG
emissions

Scope 2
Electricity indirect
GHG emissions
Other indirect GHG
emissions
Direct transportation
sources
Purchased electricity
123,061 tons/
year



Employee
commuting
Student commuting
Water Usage
3,409 tons/
year

Paper consumption
2,500 tons/
year
123,061 + 3,409 + 2,500 = 128,970 tons/year
128,970 tons/year x SGD$27.37 = SGD$3.5 million worth of carbon offset
Note: See detailed calculations in additional slides, price based on AUD$23/tonne, 1 AUD = 1.19 SGD as of
24/10/2013
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
7

8. Transforming course content to online format has several
benefits to the environment
1
Reduce paper consumption
Estimated to reduce carbon
emissions by 1000 tons
2
Online learning has a myriad of
environmental benefits…
Reduce carbon footprint as a
result of student commuting
Estimated to reduce carbon
emissions by 1015 tons
3
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Reduce electricity
consumption that arises
from classroom usage
Estimated to reduce carbon
emissions by 1230 tons
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
8

9. To evaluate between these 2 alternatives, we used a
decision criteria
Ease of
Implementation
Cost
Financial cost of
project
Situation Analysis
Ability to
implement in the
short term, in
the next 5
years, with the
coordination of
various
departments in
NTU
Alternatives
Recommendations
Impact on
Environment
Carbon footprint
Risk & Mitigation
Receptivity
Receptivity of
stakeholders
such as
students and
government
Conclusion
9

10. Carbon offset is the best option
Alternative
Cost
Ease of
Implementation
Impact on
Environment
Receptivity
Total
1.Carbon
offset
4
5
5
4
18
2. Convert
material to
online
format
3
2
2
1
8
**Rating Structure: 1 being the Least Favorable and 5 being the Most Favorable
Higher the score, the more favourable
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
10

11. Furthermore, we evaluated other possible alternatives as
well…
Alternative
Cost
Ease of
Implementation
Impact on
Environment
Receptivity
1.Waste
Conservation
5
5
5
5
2.Water
conservation
3
4
5
5
3.Community
garden
2
3
4
4
4.Collect
Rainwater
4
4
2
4
5.Green
Roofing
2
3
4
4
**Point Structure: 1 being the Least Favorable and 5 being the Most Favorable
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
11

12. …with 1 being the least favourable and 5 being the most
favourable
Alternative
Cost
Ease of
Implementation
Impact on
Environment
Receptivity
6.Vertical
Farming
1
3
4
4
7.Installing solar 1
panels
1
4
4
8.Carpooling
5
1
4
1
9.No-car policy
5
1
5
1
10.Sustainability 2
ambassadors
4
3
4
**Rating Structure: 1 being the Least Favorable and 5 being the Most Favorable
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
12

13. On balance, out of the 10 alternatives…
Alternative
Cost
Ease of
Implementation
Impact on
Environment
Receptivity
1.Waste
Conservation
5
5
5
5
2.Water
conservation
3
4
5
5
3.Community
garden
2
3
4
4
4.Collect
Rainwater
4
4
2
4
5.Green
Roofing
2
3
4
4
**Rating Structure: 1 being the Least Favorable and 5 being the Most Favorable
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
13

14. …3 are not feasible
Alternative
Cost
Ease of
Implementation
Impact on
Environment
Receptivity
6.Vertical
Farming
1
3
4
4
7.Installing solar 1
panels
1
4
4
8.Carpooling
5
1
4
1
9.No-car policy
5
1
5
1
10.Sustainability 2
ambassadors
4
3
4
Not feasible
*Alternative 3-10 pertains to Sustainable Infrastructure, 11 pertains to Raising
Awareness
**Rating Structure: 1 being the Least Favorable and 5 being the Most Favorable
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
14

15. Benefits to Stakeholders
Students
Government
 Increases awareness by showing
them that environmental
sustainability can be part of daily
life.
 To come closer in achieving
vision of being a green global
hub and be globally recognized
for green efforts.
 To increase participation in
environmental sustainability.
 To better fulfill duties of
environmental responsibility.

To cultivate habits and attitudes
towards environmental sustainability
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
15

16. Benefits to Stakeholders
Employees
Global Community
 To set an environmental
standard where others globally
can aim to achieve.
 To increase participation in
environmental sustainability.

To cultivate habits and attitudes
towards environmental sustainability
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
 To increase global effort and
participation in environmental
sustainability.
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
16

17. From these alternatives, we present to you our C2SR
strategy…
2
C
Carbon Offset
Program
S
Sustainable
Infrastructure
R
Raising
Awareness
Conservation
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
17

18. Water conservation and waste minimalization can reduce
indirect GHG emissions
2
C
S R
Initiatives for NTU to adopt
1
In halls, equip toilets and showers with
waterless urinals and low-flow showers
2
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Invite organizations to hold water
conservation and waste minimalization
education fairs
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
18

19. Gamification can make water conservation and waste
minimalization a fun activity for students to adopt
What is gamification?
Turning an activity
into a game e.g.
Foursquare, wher
e players get
rewarded for
completing a
challenge
2
C
Challenge
Give students a task to do.
For example, reduce
showering time by 10
minutes to save water.
S R
What can
NTU do?
Reward
Recognize
Tie up with organizations
such as Starbucks and
Golden Village to give perks
if students accomplish a
challenge provided
Share accomplishments via
social media
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
19

20. Form a carbon offset department within Sustainable Earth
office to monitor and determine carbon offsets required
Develop on existing NTU initiative (Virtual Sustainable
Campus) to provide monitoring staff with an app that gives
them real time information of not just energy
consumption, but also other components measured in
carbon footprint
2
C
S R
Scope 1

Scope 3
Direct GHG
emissions

Scope 2
Electricity indirect
GHG emissions
Other indirect GHG
emissions
Direct transportation
sources
Purchased electricity
Situation Analysis
Alternatives



Employee
commuting
Student commuting
Water Usage
Recommendations

Paper consumption
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
20

21. Sustainable infrastructure: Vertical farming
2
C
S R
What is Vertical Farming?
To grow crops on A-frame infrastructure instead
of growing them on the flat ground
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
21

22. Vertical farming allows NTU to grow crops without
compromising space
2
C
S R
Key Benefits
1
Energy efficient, power usage is
equivalent to lighting a 60-watt light bulb
2
Promotes self-sufficiency without
worries of land constraints in Singapore
3
Increases existing supply of local grown
crops by a factor of seven
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
22

23. NTU can grow crops on barren walls to utilize existing
infrastructure
2
C
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
S R
Conclusion
23

24. Sustainable infrastructure: Green Roofing for more
buildings
2
C
S R
Presently, only the ADM
building has green
roofing
Key Benefits
1
2
Helps to cool down
building temperature
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Improves energy
efficiency
Recommendations
Can implement it in
other areas such as
North Spine, South
Spine and Engineering
block
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
24

25. Raising Awareness by having a ‘Sustainability
Ambassador’ programme
Benefits to NTU
Benefits to the Student
population
•Implementation of projects to
significantly reduce carbon
emissions effectively
•Collaboration between students
and Sustainability will gain buy-in
from the student population
through Ambassadors spreading
the sustainability message
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
•Students are able to take this
practical hands-on program (that
lasts for 2 years as their UE) to
fulfill their academic units
How it works
2
C
•Internships in the CSR dept of a
MNC as well as being a part of the
Sustainability Ambassadors
program will help to enhance
students’ CVs
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
S R
Year 2
Called
Sustainability
Ambassadors
who are mentored
by the
Sustainable Earth
Office for MNC
sustainability
projects
Year 1
Called
Sustainability
detectives who
have access to
sustainability
programs
Conclusion
25

26. Risks & Mitigation
Possible Triggers
Scenarios
Trigger Points
Mitigations
Conservation
•
Water
Conservation
•
•
Management may
evaluate cost involved in
carrying out conservation
activities outweighing the
benefits it will bring
•
Carbon Offset
Program
Waste
Conservation
•
Staff Opposition
Situation Analysis
Increase in staff
unhappiness and
opposition to money
spent on program rather
than research, education
or staff benefits
Alternatives
Recommendations
•
To calculate the
financial
feasibility of the
proposal – to
calculate the
initial startup
costs as well as
long-term
operational costs
and show how
the long-term
benefits outweigh
the costs
•
Create greater
buy-in through
education on
overall benefits
and cost saved
Opposition and
lack of
management
buy-in
Questions raised
on financial
feasibility
Complaints and
negative
feedback
received
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
26

27. Risks & Mitigation
Possible Triggers
Scenarios
Trigger Points
Mitigations
•
•
•
•
Sustainable Infrastructure
Vertical
Farming
Lack of suitable
infrastructural areas for
vertical farming
•
Green Roofing
•
Community
Gardens and
Rainwater
Collection
Situation Analysis
•
Massive infrastructural
works that will cause noise
disturbances during
construction phase
Construction taking longer
than expected, incurring
greater cost than budgeted
for
Alternatives
Recommendations
•
•
Look into
construction
works to modify
infrastructure that
will be suitable
for vertical
farming
Negotiate for
construction
works to be
carried out on offpeak hours
Project Head to
check on
progress
periodically
Accountant to
monitor costs
and budgets
closely
Inability to find
suitable locations
for vertical
farming to be
implemented
Increase in
complaints from
staff and
students
Construction not
completed by
deadline
Cost of
construction
exceeding
budgeted amt
Risk & Mitigation
•
•
Conclusion
27

28. Risks & Mitigation
Possible Triggers
Raising Awareness
Scenarios
Trigger Points
Mitigations
•
Sustainability
Ambassadors
Situation Analysis
•
Low take-up rates on
Sustainability Ambassadors
Program by students
Alternatives
Recommendations
•Take-up rate
below 80%
Risk & Mitigation
Focus on promoting
the internship
program as well as
practical hands-on
learning through
proposing and
executing
recommendations
Conclusion
28

29. Implementation Timeline
STEPS
2014
2015
2016
2017
1. CONSERVATION & CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM
•
Water Conservation
•Finalization on processes and implementation
•Implementation of water conservation plans
•Waste Conservation
•Finalization on processes and implementation
•Implementation of waste conservation plans
•
Carbon Offset Program
2. SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURES
•
Vertical Farming, Green Roofing , Community Gardens &
Rainwater Collection
•Finalization of plans and sourcing for location
•Construction of infrastructure
•Operationally ready
3. RAISING AWARENESS
•
Sustainability Ambassadors
•
Come up with lesson plans and online lectures and
liaise with companies for internship
•
Recruitment of students and implementation of
program
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
29

30. Executive Summary






Singapore topped the list of carbon emitters per capita in Asia-Pacific region in
2010, reported by WWF. The Singapore NEA responded that the country is greatly
dependent on fossil fuels as its small size limits the switch to alternative sources of
energy.
NTU being a leading institute for education and research thus has to stay ahead
and to reduce its contribution to the amount of carbon emitted. The university does
have measures in place to reduce the energy consumption and to CO2 emission.
This presentation identified 10 alternatives and evaluated them based on Cost,
Ease of Implementation, Impact on Environment and receptivity. Hence we present
our C2SR strategy to assist NTU in reduction of GHG and energy consumption.
The water reduction and waste minimization aims to reduce indirect GHG emission
and by utilizing Gamification, we encourage students and staff to save and take
ownership of energy usage.
In addition, due to limited sheer size of Singapore, we recommend the use of
Vertical Farming and grow crops on barren walls along the campus. This cools
down the building’s internal temperature, improves energy efficiency, and creates a
greener campus.
Also, we plan to raise awareness by having “sustainability ambassadors” to
implement CO2 reduction project and to spread the message of our cause.
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
30

31. Calculation of Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions
Scope 1
Carbon footprint = 123,061 tons/year
Direct GHG
emissions


Direct transportation
sources
Purchased electricity
Based on ISCN-GULF
report, NTU utilizes 164
million kwh in 2012. We
take this to be
purchased electricity.
To calculate direct GHG from direct transportation sources, we used a
guesstimate
1. NTU’s main transport comes from public buses, shuttle buses and cars
2.
For buses, assume that every hour there are 16 public and shuttle buses
roaming NTU, covering a distance (to-and-fro) of 20km/day. In a
day, there are 18 operating hours. Therefore, total distance = 16 x 20 x 18
= 5760km/day.
3.
For cars, there are 53 carparks in NTU, with each carpark, on
average, having 40 carpark lots. Assume total number of expected cars in
NTU correlates with the quantity of carpark lots that was planned by
NTU, this implies that total number of expected cars = 53 x 40 = 2120
cars. With 50% utilization (since carparks are not always
occupied, especially during the term breaks), and each car covering a
distance of 10km/day, implying a total distance of 0.5 x 2120 x 10 =
10,600km/day
Based on carbon
calculator, NTU
produces 123,000
tons/year of carbon
dioxide
4.
Carbon footprint, using a carbon calculator online, is 43 tons/year for cars
and 18 tons/year for buses. Total carbon footprint = 61 tons/year
Source: Steven Sprangers, http://www.carbonify.com/carbon-calculator.htm ,
http://www.carbonindependent.org/sources_bus.htm , NTU data
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
31

32. Calculation of Scope 2: Electricity Indirect GHG emissions
Scope 2
Carbon footprint = 3,409 tons/year
Electricity indirect
GHG emissions



Employee
commuting
Student commuting
Water Usage
Based on ISCN-GULF
report, NTU utilizes
814,000 cubic metres of
water in 2012. We take
this to be water usage.
Based on carbon
calculator, the carbon
footprint is 708
tons/year
To calculate indirect GHG from employee commuting, we used a
guesstimate
1. In 2012, total expenditure on manpower is $644,603,000. Assume that, on
balance, the average pay for each staff (high pay for professors is
balanced out by the comparatively lower admin staff etc.) is $80,000. This
implies that estimated number of employees is 8000.
2. Average distance per staff (to and fro) = 50km
3. Total distance travelled per day = 8000 x 50 = 400,000 km.day
4. Carbon footprint = 671 tons/year
To calculate indirect GHG from student commuting, we used a guesstimate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Total number of students = 33,000
Total number of students that stay in hall = 16 halls x 550 = 8,800
Total number of students who don’t stay in hall, implying they have to
travel = 33,000 – 8,800 = 24,200
Average distance per student (to and fro) = 50km
Total distance travelled per day = 1,210,000 km/day
Carbon footprint = 2,030 tons/year
Source: Steven Sprangers, http://www.carbonify.com/carbon-calculator.htm
, http://www.carbonindependent.org/sources_bus.htm , NTU data
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
32

33. Calculation of Scope 3: Other Indirect GHG emissions
Scope 3
Carbon footprint = 2,500 tons/year
Other indirect GHG
emissions
To calculate indirect GHG from paper consumption, we used a guesstimate

1.
2.
3.
Paper consumption
Total number of students = 33,000
Each student uses 26kg (2 boxes of A4 paper) per year = 858,000kg
Based on campus carbon footprint calculator, carbon footprint = 2500
tons/year
Source: Steven Sprangers, campus carbon footprint calculator, NTU data
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
33

34. Calculation of carbon emissions reduced as a result of
converting course content to online learning
1
Reduce paper consumption
Estimated to reduce carbon
emissions by 1000 tons
2
1.
2.
Paper consumption in NTU is producing 2500
tons/year.
The best estimate for carbon emission is 1000 tons
under Fermi’s law.
Using guesstimate,
Reduce carbon footprint as a
result of student commuting
Estimated to reduce carbon
emissions by 1015 tons
3
Using Fermi’s law,
Reduce electricity
consumption that arises
from classroom usage
Estimated to reduce carbon
emissions by 1230 tons
1.
2.
Total carbon footprint from students who commute
is 2030 tons/year
If most of the content is converted to online
learning, there is a lesser need for students to travel
to school. Since a significant content is online, a
reasonable estimate of reduction is 50%.
Using guesstimate,
Total purchased electricity’s carbon footprint is
123,000 tons/year
2. Since NTU’s bulk of activities come from
teaching, the impact of the online learning is
high, and we estimate a 0.01% reduction in
electricity consumed
Note: Fermi’s law indicates that the overestimates and underestimates will balance out, and the error is usually
within one order of magnitude.
Situation Analysis
Alternatives
1.
Recommendations
Risk & Mitigation
Conclusion
34