Assessment of Organizational Carbon Footprints in a Rubber Plantation Company: A Systematic Approach to Direct and Indirect Emissions

Chethiya Prasanga, Enoka Munasinghe (), Pasan Dunuwila (), V. H. L. Rodrigo, Ichiro Daigo and Naohiro Goto
Additional contact information
Chethiya Prasanga: WithLCA (Pvt) Ltd., 77/1A, Cemetery Road, Neligama, Mirigama 11200, Sri Lanka
Enoka Munasinghe: Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatte 12200, Sri Lanka
Pasan Dunuwila: Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
V. H. L. Rodrigo: International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), D.P. Wijesinghe Mawatha, Battarmulle 10120, Sri Lanka
Ichiro Daigo: Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo, 4 Chome-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
Naohiro Goto: Faculty of Information Networking for Innovation and Design (INIAD), Toyo University, 1-7-11 Akabanedai, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-0053, Japan

Resources, 2025, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive organizational carbon footprint assessment that integrates Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for a rubber plantation company, including often-overlooked non-energy sources such as fertilizer application, employee commuting, company-owned vehicle operations, and wastewater discharge. Using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard, IPCC 2006 guidelines, and locally adapted emission factors, the assessment quantified the company’s total organizational carbon footprint at 3125 tCO 2 e—revealing a previously undocumented emission profile where methane from wastewater discharge, nitrous oxide from fertilizer application, and carbon dioxide from purchased electricity collectively account for over 75% of total emissions. This finding challenges conventional rubber industry practice, which has historically focused on energy-related emissions alone. Three targeted mitigation scenarios were evaluated: (1) optimized nutrient management to reduce fertilizer usage, (2) solar photovoltaic installation to offset grid electricity consumption, and (3) advanced wastewater treatment using Fenton’s reagent combined with activated carbon. Results demonstrate that substantial emission reductions are achievable while maintaining or enhancing productivity and profitability. By establishing a replicable methodological framework grounded in comprehensive emission accounting, this study advances environmental management practices in the rubber sector and provides actionable strategies for plantation-based industries to meet national sustainability agendas and international climate commitments.

Keywords: sustainability; rubber plantation; carbon footprint; greenhouse gas emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jresou:v:14:y:2025:i:11:p:172-:d:1786594

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