Sustainability and the Reduction of the Carbon Footprint: Topics of Growing Importance in All Sectors, Including Education

The San Luis Center has taken the initiative to measure and analyze its carbon footprint. This is just the first step towards reducing our environmental impact. This article presents a summary of the key findings from their carbon footprint report, highlighting the average emissions per student and staff member, as well as those generated by daily commutes to the center.

Average Emissions for Students and Staff

The study conducted by the San Luis Center focuses on calculating the CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions associated with various activities at the center. In addition to other aspects like equipment and energy consumption, the report has a particular focus on the daily commutes of students and staff.

• Emissions per student: According to the collected data, the weighted average of daily emissions per student is 4.11 kgCO2e per person. Over a full academic year, this accumulates to a total of 739.98 kgCO2e per person per year, resulting in a total of 451.39 tons of CO2e annually emitted by all vocational training and high school students.

• Emissions from teachers and administrative staff: The weighted average of daily emissions for staff is 0.821 kgCO2e per person. This translates to approximately 147.78 kgCO2e annually per person, resulting in a total of 9.45 tons of CO2e annually for this group.

Emissions from Students in the FPDUAL Program

Students in the FPDUAL program add an additional level of complexity to the analysis due to their commutes to both the educational center and the companies where they do their internships. The weighted average of daily emissions for these students is 0.457 kgCO2e, which amounts to about 82.26 kgCO2e annually per student, totaling approximately 5.56 tons of CO2e annually for the 30 students in this program. This adds to their emissions from commuting to the educational center.

Emissions from Commuting: A Key Challenge

The daily commutes of students and staff to the educational center are the largest sources of CO2e emissions at the San Luis Center. The report reveals that the annual emissions generated by commuting represent a substantial portion of the center's total carbon footprint.

Although most people walk or partially walk during their commute, a significant portion of the trips are made using public transportation and private cars. These emissions are produced by the use of private cars and urban buses, with a smaller portion associated with the use of the metro, commuter trains, and bicycles.

It is crucial to highlight that more than 50% of the surveyed individuals complete only one leg of their daily commute, which could indicate opportunities to optimize routes or encourage the use of more sustainable transportation options.

San Luis Center's Commitment to the Environment

The San Luis Center's carbon footprint report not only quantifies emissions but also establishes an action plan to work towards their reduction. This commitment to sustainability aligns with the growing environmental awareness in society and the education sector. Actions such as:

• Promotion of Sustainable Transportation: One of the main areas of action is encouraging the use of public transportation, bicycles, and carpooling among students and staff. Additionally, there is a plan to improve the infrastructure for bicycle parking at the center, which would incentivize their use.

• Optimization of Energy Consumption: Although the center's electricity consumption is not the largest source of emissions, there is room for improving energy efficiency. Regular energy audits are being considered to identify savings opportunities and raise awareness of best practices to reduce wasted energy.

• Sustainable Management of IT Equipment: The emissions associated with the acquisition of IT equipment are considerably high, totaling 222.80 tons of CO2e. The center plans to extend the lifespan of current equipment through donations to NGOs, such as the ongoing partnership with Alas Gambia to provide ICT equipment to schools in Africa, and to explore more sustainable options for future purchases, such as acquiring eco-certified equipment.

• Environmental Awareness and Education: Involving the entire educational community in sustainable initiatives is key. Each year, the center organizes activities and workshops focused on the environment and sustainability for students and staff, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of reducing the carbon footprint and adopting sustainable practices in daily life.

Vocational Training and High School: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability

The San Luis Center's approach is not limited to vocational training but also extends to its high school offerings and FPDUAL programs. The goal is to extend this practice of reducing the carbon footprint to LANBIDE training, integrating sustainability at all educational levels, and preparing students not only in technical skills but also in environmental responsibility.

Education as a Key to Environmental Sustainability

Education plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change. By measuring and analyzing its carbon footprint, the San Luis Center not only fulfills its environmental responsibility but also sets an example for integrating sustainability into educational plans. The proposed initiatives, from optimizing energy consumption to promoting sustainable transportation, reflect a genuine commitment to reducing emissions and educating conscientious and responsible citizens.

The path to NetZero is long, but we aim to continue improving from the baseline set in this emissions report with concrete actions to reduce our carbon footprint. With initiatives like these, vocational training and high school education at the San Luis Center not only develop skilled professionals but also citizens committed to environmental protection, ensuring a more sustainable future for all of us.

Centro San Luis