Carbon Dioxide Footprint and Its Impacts: A Case of Academic Buildings

Muhammad Aashed Khan Abbasi, Shabir Hussain Khahro and Yasir Javed
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Muhammad Aashed Khan Abbasi: College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
Shabir Hussain Khahro: College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
Yasir Javed: College of Computer Science and Information Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: Carbon emissions have been considered a major reason behind climate change and global warming. Various studies report that rapid urbanization and the changing demands of 21st century life have resulted in higher carbon emissions. This study aims to examine the carbon footprints in an academic building to observe the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels at crucial landmarks and offices. A sensor-based automated system was designed and implemented for the collection of CO 2 concentrations at selected locations. In the final stage, a CO 2 footprint map was generated to highlight the vulnerable areas of CO 2 in the academic building. It was concluded that offices have higher CO 2 concentrations at both intervals (morning and afternoon), followed by the laboratory, corridors, and praying area. The CO 2 concentration did not exceed 500 ppm at any location. Thus, all locations other than offices had normal CO 2 concentration levels. Similarly, the humidity level was also satisfactory. The average humidity level was below 50%, which is below the permissible value of 65%. The recommended range for temperature values as per ASHRAE standards is 22.5 °C to 25.5 °C, except for prayer places. It was concluded that the selected academic institute is providing a good environment to the users of the building, but that may change once the academic institute becomes fully functional after COVID-19. This study assists the stakeholders in making guidelines and necessary actions to reduce CO 2 concentration in academic buildings, as it is expected to rise once the human load increases in the next academic year. The suggested approach can be used in any other country and the results will vary based on the building type, building energy type, and building ventilation design.

Keywords: carbon dioxide; carbon footprint; academic building; energy efficacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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