Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report

Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University

(in accordance with GHG Protocol)

Prepared by: T. Gaipov, Director of the Research Center for Sustainable Development

2025 year

1. Emissions Calculation Methodology

This report has been prepared in accordance with the international greenhouse gas accounting standard, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which is the most widely used methodology for assessing the carbon footprint of organizations.

The GHG Protocol was developed by:

• World Resources Institute
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development

The methodology divides greenhouse gas emissions into three categories:

Scope 1 – Direct emissions

Emissions that occur directly on the organization’s premises or from sources under its control. These include:

• Natural gas combustion for heating
• Fuel use by university vehicles
• Operation of university-owned boiler houses

Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from consumed energy

Emissions that occur during the production of electricity, heat, or steam consumed by the organization. Although the emissions physically occur at power plants, the responsibility is accounted for by the energy consumer.

Scope 3 – Other indirect emissions

These include:

• Business travel
• Waste
• Procurement
• Student transportation
• Supply chains

This report focuses on Scope 1 and Scope 2.

2. Organizational and Operational Boundaries

The emissions calculation covers the main facilities of the Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University campus.

The accounting boundaries include:

• Academic buildings
• Administrative buildings
• Dormitories
• Laboratories
• University vehicle fleet
• Heating engineering systems

Data were collected based on official university documents:

• Gas consumption reports
• Electricity bills
• Fuel consumption reports for vehicles

Calculation period: 2025

3. Source Data (Verified Documents)

To assess the university’s carbon footprint, the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions were identified in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol classification, which separates emissions into direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions.

3.1. Vehicle Fuel (Scope 1)

Scope 1 includes direct greenhouse gas emissions arising from fuel use in vehicles owned by the university. Fuel consumption data are presented in the table.

Fuel is used for:

• University service vehicles
• Utility vehicles
• Vehicles involved in the technical maintenance and operation of the campus
• Transportation of equipment and supplies

The main types of fuel used are gasoline and diesel. Their combustion produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, as well as small amounts of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which are converted into CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). These emissions are accounted for as direct Scope 1 emissions, as they result directly from the university’s activities.

3.2. Gas (Heating and Hot Water) – Scope 1

Natural gas is the main energy source for the heating systems of the university campus.

Its use results in direct greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore these emissions are also classified as Scope 1.

Gas consumption data are presented in the following table:

Natural gas is used for:

• Heating academic buildings
• Heating dormitories and administrative buildings
• Hot water supply
• Operation of boiler systems

The total annual natural gas consumption is 1,859,785 m³.

When natural gas is burned, the main emission product is carbon dioxide (CO₂), formed as a result of the oxidation of carbon contained in the fuel. These emissions are one of the key sources of the university’s carbon footprint.

3.3. Electricity – Scope 2

Scope 2 includes indirect greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production of electricity consumed by the university.

Electricity consumption data are presented in the following table:

Although the emissions occur at power plants, not directly on the university’s premises, they are accounted for as part of the organization’s carbon footprint.

Electricity is used for:

• Lighting academic buildings, laboratories, and administrative buildings
• Operation of laboratory and research equipment
• Functioning of server rooms and IT infrastructure
• Operation of ventilation and air conditioning systems
• Supporting teaching and research activities

The total annual electricity consumption is 6,098,757 kWh.

Since Kazakhstan’s power system is largely based on fossil fuels, electricity consumption accounts for a significant portion of the university’s indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Emission Factors

Calculations were performed using emission factors recommended by international methodologies:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
• Greenhouse Gas Protocol

The emission factors used:

5. CO₂e Emissions Calculation

The greenhouse gas emissions calculation was carried out in accordance with the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology, using emission factors recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Emissions were divided into Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from electricity consumption).

Scope 1 — Direct Emissions

Scope 1 includes emissions that occur directly on the university premises as a result of fuel combustion.

5.1. Gas

Natural gas is used for heating buildings and providing hot water on the university campus.

Emission factor: 1 m³ natural gas ≈ 1.9 kg CO₂

Calculation: 1,859,785 × 1.9 = 3,533,591 kg → 3,533 t CO₂e

5.2. Gasoline

Gasoline is used by university vehicles for service and utility purposes.

Average factor: 2.31 kg CO₂/L

Calculation: (52,000 + 48,000) × 2.31 = 231,000 kg → 231 t CO₂e

5.3. Diesel

Diesel is used by service vehicles and technical equipment.

Factor: 2.68 kg CO₂/L

Calculation: 48,000 × 2.68 = 128,640 kg → 128 t CO₂e

Total Scope 1: 3,533 + 231 + 128 = 3,892 t CO₂e

Scope 2 — Indirect Emissions (Electricity)

Scope 2 includes indirect emissions associated with the production of electricity consumed by the university.

The calculation uses the average carbon intensity factor of Kazakhstan’s power system: ≈ 0.82 kg CO₂/kWh

Calculation: 6,098,757 × 0.82 = 5,000,980 kg → 5,001 t CO₂e

6. Total Carbon Footprint of Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University for 2025

Based on the calculations according to the GHG Protocol, the university’s direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions were determined:

Thus, the university’s total carbon footprint in 2025 was 8,892 t CO₂e.

7. Analytical Indicators

For a more detailed analysis of the university’s carbon efficiency, specific emissions indicators were calculated. Assuming the university has:

• 10,000 students
• 2,000 staff
• Total building area of 214,115.7 m²

The following indicators were obtained:

Emissions per student: 8,892 / 10,000 = 0.89 t CO₂e per student per year

Emissions per staff member: 8,892 / 2,000 = 4.4 t CO₂e per employee per year

Building carbon intensity: Total emissions per campus area: 8,892 / 214,115.7 = 0.041 t CO₂e / m² This metric is used to assess the energy efficiency of university infrastructure and compare campus environmental performance.

8. Emission Structure

Analysis of emission sources shows the following distribution:

The largest share of emissions comes from electricity consumption, reflecting the high energy demand of the university’s educational and research infrastructure. Natural gas usage for heating and hot water also forms a significant part of emissions, typical for campuses in cold climates. Transport-related emissions are relatively small, associated with university vehicles.

9. Possible Emission Reduction Measures

According to the recommendations of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and best practices for sustainable campus development, the following measures can help reduce the carbon footprint of Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University:

9.1. Improving Building Energy Efficiency

Effective ways to reduce emissions include:

• Insulating building facades and roofs
• Modernizing ventilation and air conditioning systems
• Installing automated energy management systems
• Replacing old windows and doors with energy-efficient ones

These measures can reduce heat and electricity consumption by 15–30%, significantly lowering CO₂ emissions.

9.2. Installing Solar Power Plants

Using renewable energy is a key decarbonization strategy. Installing solar photovoltaic panels on rooftops and campus grounds can partially replace electricity from conventional sources.

A 1 MW solar plant can generate 1.4–1.6 million kWh annually, reducing emissions by approximately 1,100–1,300 t CO₂e per year.

9.3. Upgrading Heating Systems

Since a significant share of emissions comes from natural gas for heating, upgrading heating systems is crucial. Possible measures:

• Installing modern energy-efficient boilers
• Using heat pumps
• Implementing heat recovery systems
• Optimizing building heating schedules

These measures can reduce natural gas consumption by 20–25%.

9.4. Transitioning University Vehicles to Electric

Emissions from university transport can be reduced by gradually switching to electric or hybrid vehicles. Additional measures:

• Building charging station infrastructure on campus
• Implementing car-sharing programs
• Promoting bicycle and public transport use

This can significantly reduce Scope 1 emissions from gasoline and diesel.

9.5. Implementing Energy-Efficient Lighting (LED)

Replacing traditional lighting with LEDs is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption. Advantages:

• 40–60% electricity savings
• Longer lifespan
• Lower operating and maintenance costs

In a large campus, LED lighting can reduce emissions by several hundred tonnes of CO₂e annually.

9.6. Implementing Energy Management Systems

An effective measure is adopting an energy management system based on ISO 50001, which allows:

• Regular monitoring of energy use
• Identifying sources of excess consumption
• Optimizing resource use
• Systematically reducing greenhouse gas emissions

9.7. Developing Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Practices

Carbon footprint reduction can also be achieved by fostering environmentally responsible behavior among students and staff, through:

• Sustainability education programs
• Energy-saving campaigns
• Waste reduction initiatives
• Promoting sustainable mobility

Director of the Research Center for Sustainable Development T. Gaipov
Uiversity report its carbon emissions in line with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard or another commonly used standard.