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Low Carbon Diet: Integrating Gastronomy Service Emissions into the Carbon Management of the University of Graz

Author

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  • Melanie Harrer

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, Merangasse 18/1, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Julia Danzer

    (Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, Brandhofgasse 5, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Ralf Aschemann

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, Merangasse 18/1, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Stefanie Hölbling

    (Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, Brandhofgasse 5, 8010 Graz, Austria)

Abstract

To avert the upcoming crisis of climate change, significant changes on different scales and sectors are necessary. The knowledge and research of the higher education sector is an essential part in the fight against climate change already. Many universities admit the urgency of acting within their institution as well and have started to measure their impact on the environment to formulate emission-reduction goals. As part of its sustainability strategy, the University of Graz launched the Institutional Carbon Management (ICM) project to calculate its emissions via a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. In comparison to other inventories, the ICM also includes the gastronomy services on and around the campus of the University of Graz, which is also the focus of this paper. It was found that especially energy- and carbon-intensive food products such as meat and dairy contribute to the emissions of a gastronomy service. In total, the gastronomy service emissions contribute 1.1% to the total emissions inventory of the university. Although the contribution is a rather small portion, the University of Graz sees itself responsible for all its emissions and therefore also aims to gain comprehensive insights into all sub-areas of its institution to formulate validated reduction pathways. The changes to a more sustainable gastronomy and low-emission diets can therefore be seen as part of a wider change towards more environmentally friendly behaviour in general with the overall aim to meet the Paris climate goal.

Suggested Citation

  • Melanie Harrer & Julia Danzer & Ralf Aschemann & Stefanie Hölbling, 2021. "Low Carbon Diet: Integrating Gastronomy Service Emissions into the Carbon Management of the University of Graz," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13680-:d:699695
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pablo Yañez & Arijit Sinha & Marcia Vásquez, 2019. "Carbon Footprint Estimation in a University Campus: Evaluation and Insights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. David Tilman & Michael Clark, 2014. "Global diets link environmental sustainability and human health," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7528), pages 518-522, November.
    3. Peter Scarborough & Paul Appleby & Anja Mizdrak & Adam Briggs & Ruth Travis & Kathryn Bradbury & Timothy Key, 2014. "Dietary greenhouse gas emissions of meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans in the UK," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 179-192, July.
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