CARBON NEUTRAL ENVIRONMENT FOR SUSTAINABLITY: A CASE STUDY OF AMC ENGINEERING COLLEGE

Jayashree Mani, Mohiyuddin C S, Umashanker L, Shashishankar A

Abstract: Purpose – The objective of this case study is to provide researched information about retrospect and prospect of achieving sustainable campus at AMC Engineering College (AMCEC) to reduce its carbon footprint and to establish a campus culture focused on the theme of environmental sustainability. Also parallely make available the solutions to globally similar institutions in achieving low carbon footprint. Annually built environment releases billions of tons of carbon dioxide( CO2) which causes glassy layer in presence of Suspended Particulate Matter(SPM) at the outer atmosphere. This prevents the release of heat and reverts it back causing Green house effect. Lifestyle changes contribute to carbon footprint and hence a deviation in strategy such as use of Zero Energy Materials (ZEM) would mitigate ill effects. The recent theme is carbon neutral campuses which is incorporated in the accreditation process of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of University Grants Commission (UGC) and also National Board of Accreditation( NBA) under All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The functionality of University affiliated colleges is hinged on Education and R&D towards reaching the micro economic societal requirements . This paper establishes the betterment of a 52 acre large campus towards holistic ecosystem having been located 6 kms from the famous Bannergatta National Park, achieving the desired goal of solutions through horizontal and vertical approach.

Keywords: Carbon footprint(CFP), Suspended Particulate Matter(SPM), Green house effect, Zero Energy Materials (ZEM) , Colleges, NAAC,NBA, Case study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2017.0614003