AASTMT has annual plan and procedures for carbon management and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Each year carbon footprint is measured and compared to previous’ years emissions to confirm the effectiveness of the pre-set measures to reduce carbon emissions and verify AASTMT progress towards its long-term goal of achieving 50% emission reduction by 2040 which goes in accordance with the national goal towards emissions reduction. Annual related Plans and Progress Reports can be found in the link below.

AASTMT Annual Climate Action Plans and Emissions Progress Reports on AASTMT webpage

2022/2023 Process for Emissions Reduction and Climate Action

Measures taken by AASTMT in 2022/2023 to contribute to emissions reduction are discussed in details in AASTMT 2022/2023 Emissions Progress Report as well as AASTMT 2022/2023 Climate Action Plan .

These measures are summarized as;

• Conduct regular assessments of carbon emissions to implement strategies for reduction.
• Prioritize renewable energy projects and the exploration of available clean energy sources.
• Implement efficiency measures such as upgrading to LED lighting, enhancing HVAC systems, and incorporating smart building technologies.
• Towards Zero-Waste Strategy, a comprehensive recycling program was implemented that expanded across all campuses, targeting paper, plastic, and electronic waste. By 2023, AASTMT had achieved a 50% waste diversion rate, a significant milestone in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
• In addition to recycling, the university introduced composting facilities in dining areas in 2022. These composting stations allowed for the proper disposal of food waste, diverting approximately 10% of organic waste from landfills in 2023. Combined with increased recycling efforts, this led to a total reduction in landfill waste by 15% compared to 2020 levels.
• The university also made progress in reducing paper consumption by encouraging the use of digital platforms. By 2023, paper usage had decreased by 25% compared to 2020.
• Additionally, AASTMT introduced an electronic waste recycling program, ensuring that all obsolete electronic equipment was disposed of sustainably, further contributing to its zero-waste goals.
• Promote behavioral change among staff and students to reduce energy consumption, foster awareness, and encourage sustainable practices.
• Engage students and faculty in research on climate adaptation, with a focus on vulnerable regions such as the Middle East and North Africa.
• Integrating sustainability topics into 90% of AASTMT undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

The previously discussed measures towards emissions reduction as well AASTMT 2022/2023 measures towards higher energy efficiency, energy saving and expansion in renewable energy employment, as discussed in details in AASTMT 2022/2023 Plan towards Clean Sustainable Energy, have effectively resulted in total carbon emissions reduction in  2023 by 4.6% from 2022, 7.2% from 2021,  and notably by 30% from 2019 emissions, as demonstrated in AASTMT 2022/2023 Insights. This is explained below.

Calculations were made to evaluate carbon emissions (kg CO²-e) in Alexandria campus for the years 2018 to 2023 as shown in Table 1. Table 1 presents the emissions across Scope1, Scope2, and Scope3, using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's framework. These figures provide insights into direct and indirect emissions, as analysed in AASTMT 2022/2023 Emissions Progress Report, helping to identify key areas for improvement.

Table 1: AASTMT-Alexandria campus- Carbon Emissions from 2018 to 2023 (kg CO²-e)

Scope 1 emissions, which encompass direct emissions from university-controlled sources, include fuel usage for the campus transport fleet and emissions from refrigerant leaks in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. In 2022, AASTMT recorded 1,300,000 kg CO²-e in Scope 1 emissions, which represents a modest reduction from previous years. This reduction was primarily driven by the electrification of a portion of the university's vehicle fleet, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Scope 1 emissions decreased further to 1,150,000 kg CO²-e in 2023 due to continuous efforts to replace fuel-dependent vehicles and improvements in refrigerant management.

Scope 2 emissions arise from indirect emissions due to purchased electricity. In 2022, Scope 2 emissions were 950,000 kg CO²-e, reflecting a substantial decrease from previous years due to the installation of solar panels and photovoltaics. By 2023, the university reduced Scope 2 emissions further to 925,000 kg CO²-e.

Scope 3 emissions account for indirect emissions from activities as waste disposal, water usage, and paper consumption. These emissions represented the largest share of AASTMT’s carbon footprint, but significant reductions were achieved, with Scope 3 emissions totaling 110,000,000 kg CO²-e in 2022 decreasing more to 105,000,000 kg CO²-e in 2023 due to improved waste management and reduced paper consumption.

In summary, the total emissions for 2023 reflect a steady decrease by 4.6% from 2022 emissions and 7.2% from 2021 emissions, while a notable reduction of 30% from 2019 which witnessed the highest emissions rate since 2018. (Note that 2020 was the Covid year, that’s why emissions were the lowest). These reductions demonstrate AASTMT's commitment to its long-term goal of achieving 50% carbon reduction by 2040.

2021/2022 AASTMT CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Please explore AASTMT CLIMATE ACTION​

Carbon Footprint Estimation and Reduction Project in the AASTMT Campus towards developing a Model for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (Green Campus) ​

This project provides a detailed analysis of energy consumption and resulting carbon emissions in AASTMT. It includes data on energy consumption from various sources, including electricity, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel. The report also highlights various measures that have been implemented to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions on campus, such as the substitution of conventional lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights, the installation of air conditioning systems that prioritize energy conservation, and the establishment of a solar power station.  Overall, the report serves as a valuable resource for understanding the environmental impact of energy consumption in AASTMT and provides a foundation for future efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy use on campus. 

Read our Green campus Technical Report​

Objectives of this Project: 

1. The primary objective of this project was to estimate the energy consumption and carbon footprint of AASTMT and identify areas for improvement. 
2. The project aimed to promote sustainable energy use and reduce carbon emissions on campus. 
3. The project sought to raise awareness about the impact of energy consumption on the environment and encourage behavior change among students, staff, and faculty. 
4. The project aimed to identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in AASTMT, including through energy efficiency measures, renewable energy, and waste reduction. 
5. The project aimed to engage stakeholders in the process of energy consumption and carbon footprint estimation and reduction, including students, staff, and faculty. 
6. The project aimed to establish a framework for ongoing monitoring and reporting of energy consumption and carbon emissions in AASTMT. 
7. The project aimed to contribute to the body of knowledge on energy consumption and carbon footprint estimation and reduction in the higher education sector. 
8. The project aimed to support AASTMT's commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship through the promotion of sustainable energy use. 

As per the Carbon Footprint Estimation and Reduction Project 

Calculations were made to evaluate carbon emissions per meter square (kg CO2-e/m²) in Alexandria campuses for the years 2018 to 2021 as presented by Table 2 and Figure 1.  It is clear that there was a decrease in kg CO2-e/m² in 2020 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2021 there was a decrease in emissions than that in year 2018 and 2019 due to energy consumption reduction as well as diversion to clean energy. 

Table 2: Calculated kg CO2-e/m² Emissions for Energy Use 

                        Figure 1: Calculated kg CO2-e/m² Emissions