Strategic Framework for Driving Thai Universities toward Net-Zero Emission: A Case Study of Khon Kaen University 10.32526/ennrj/24/20250275
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Abstract
The transition of higher education institutions toward carbon neutrality has become an important component of national climate strategies. In Thailand, although several universities have begun conducting greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, significant gaps remain in Scope 3 accounting, monitoring systems, and strategic planning frameworks that support long-term decarbonization. This study develops an integrated strategic framework to guide universities toward net-zero pathways, using Khon Kaen University (KKU) as a case study. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review, gap analysis, emissions clustering, and design-factor synthesis aligned with international standards, including the IPCC Guidelines, the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, and ISO 14064-1. Data from Thai university reports and national emission factors were analyzed to classify institutions using hierarchical clustering based on energy intensity, emission intensity per student, sequestration capacity, and commuting emissions. The results reveal that Scope 3 emissions—particularly commuting and procurement—remain insufficiently reported across many institutions, limiting comparability but representing a major mitigation opportunity. The study proposes a University Net Zero Planning Tool that integrates emissions inventories, clustering-based benchmarking, and a design-factor matrix linking emission drivers to prioritized interventions. Application to KKU demonstrates both high operational emissions and substantial land-based sequestration potential. The framework offers a transferable decision-support model for universities in developing-country contexts seeking structured pathways toward carbon neutrality and net-zero targets.
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