Emissions Control
IIT Kharagpur has taken several measures to reduce carbon emissions. Students are required to use bicycles, Institute buses or e-vehicles for commuting. Green and forest spaces are well-maintained and the Institute has a large horticulture section. The horticulture section has been responsible for developing and maintaining the green spaces on campus since its inception. Institute is very close to achieving net-zero carbon emissions based on Scope 1 emissions. Our net direct emissions are currently 949 tonnes e-CO2/y in excess of our Carbon uptake levels. Increasing forest cover and reducing carbon emissions can bring us to net-zero in a few years (may be by 2030). Currently, direct emissions (3042 tonnes e-CO2/y) are slightly higher than the carbon uptake by the green cover of campus (2093 tonnes e-CO2/y). The Institute relies mainly on purchased electricity at this time which will be phased out in the near future.
The following initiatives are planned or are in progress to reduce Institute dependence on purchased electricity by increasing the share of renewable energy sources such as solar energy, hydrogen gas, biogas and wind energy. (Same as ES9)
- Current solar energy share is 15.3% (2023) and it is proposed to increase it to 50% by 2030.
- Use of biogas generated by anaerobic digestion of food waste from the Halls of Residence will also be increased.
- The green cover on campus can be increased to improve carbon uptake.
Plantation Details at IIT Kharagpur in different Tree plantation Programme
(Bonmohatsab, Aranya Saptah, World Environment Day, Induction Programme & Foundation Day of IIT Kharagpur etc.)
NB: Beside that some plantation has been done in 2024 under “EK PED MAA KE NAAM” without knowledge of Horticulture Section that numbers are not included.
Plantation Details at IIT Kharagpur in different Tree plantation Programme
(Bonmohatsab, Aranya Saptah, World Environment Day, Induction Programme & Foundation Day of IIT Kharagpur etc.)
| Sl. No. | Plantation Details | No. of Plants |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Tree plantation at IIT Kharagpur (2025) | 701 |
| 10 | Tree plantation at IIT Kharagpur (2024) | 401 |
| 9 | Tree plantation at IIT Kharagpur (2023) | 480 |
| 8 | Tree plantation at IIT Kharagpur (2022) | 284 |
| 7 | Tree plantation by Horticulture Section (2021) | 853 |
| 6 | Tree plantation by Horticulture Section (2020) | 157 |
| 5 | Tree plantation under Induction Programme near ZH Hall (2019) | 232 |
| 4 | Tree plantation by Horticulture Section (2018) | 439 |
| 3 | Tree plantation by Horticulture Section (2017) | 934 |
| 2 | Tree Plantation under Induction Programme near Chandi Mandir G – Type Quarter (2017) | 523 |
| 1 | Tree plantation in different places in the year (2016) | 1439 |
Emissions in the campus:
Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by the Institute
Example: Emissions from vehicles, and cooking on campus. (USEPA, 2023) https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/scope-1-and-scope-2-inventory-guidance
Scope 2: Indirect GHG Emissions that occur from sources that are not controlled or owned by the Institute
Example: Purchased Electricity, Purchased steam, heating or cooling devices.
Scope 3: Indirect GHG Emissions due to Transport of Goods, International and Domestic Travel, Vehicles from outside coming to the Institute, etc.
SCOPE 1 and SCOPE 2 EMISSIONS IN 2025
CO2 emissions from vehicles on campus in 2025
| S. No. | Parameters | Cars (Gasoline) | Cars (Diesel) | Two wheelers | Buses | Food Truck | Ambulances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number registered in institute | 1,370 | 126 | 1,996 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 2 | Average distance travelled per day, km | 11 | 12 | 11 | 40 | 20 | 20 |
| 3 | Number of days vehicle runs per week | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| 4 | Average distance travelled, km/y | 3,616,355 | 363,366 | 5,269,440 | 40,000 | 36,400 | 29,120 |
| 5 | Fuel Used | Gasoline | Diesel | Gasoline | Diesel | Diesel | Diesel |
| 6 | Fuel consumption, km/L | 16 | 15 | 46 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | Average fuel consumption per year, L/y | 226,022 | 24,224 | 114,553 | 8,000 | 7,280 | 5,824 |
| 8 | CO2 emission factor, kg CO2/L fuel consumed (IPCC and USEPA) | 2.28 | 2.635 | 2.28 | 2.635 | 2.635 | 2.635 |
| 9 | Total CO2 emissions, kg CO2/y | 515,331 | 63,831 | 261,181 | 21,080 | 19,183 | 15,346 |
| Total Vehicular CO2 emissions, tCO2/y | 896 |
| Direct emissions from liquified petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking in the Campus for the year 2025 | ||
| CO2 Emissions from LPG cooking on campus for 2025 | ||
| Parameters | Halls | Households |
|---|---|---|
| Number of cylinders/y | 16,733 | 12,503 |
| Weight of gas, kg/cylinder | 19 | 14.1 |
| Weight of gas, kg/y | 317,929 | 176,297 |
| CO2 emission factor, kg CO2/kg fuel consumed | 2.993 | 2.993 |
| Total CO2 emissions, kg/y | 951,561 | 527,658 |
| Total CO2 emissions from LPG cooking, tCO2/y | 952 | 528 |
| Total CO2 emissions from LPG cooking, tCO2/y | 1,479 | |
Total Scope 1 Emissions in 2025, tCO2/y = 1479 + 896 = 2375
Scope 1 emissions from vehicles and cooking gas are 5.07%
Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity are 94.93%.
Total carbon uptake by green areas on campus in the last 4 years.
| Description | *2021-22 | *2022-23 | #2023-24 | *2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Campus Area (in Acres) | 2100 | 2100 | 2100 | 2100 |
| Total Green Area (in Acres) | 1137 | 1087 | 865 | 840 |
| Green area, % (based on NDVI) | 54 | 52 | 41 | 40 |
| Carbon uptake, tCO2/acre-y | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Total carbon uptake, tCO2/y | 1,933 | 1,848 | 1,471 | 1428 |
| Scope 1 emissions, tCO2/y | 3,042 | 2,899 | 2,375 | |
| Excess carbon emissions = Scope 1 emissions – Total carbon uptake, tCO2/y | 1,194 | 1,428 | 947 |
*Estimated
#Based on a Google survey conducted in Oct 2024.
Institute initiatives for reducing Carbon emissions
- All bulbs have been replaced by LED bulbs in Halls, offices, and other locations.
- Institute now buys only BEE 5 Star rated Split ACs (Energy – Efficient variable rate refrigerant (VRF) AC).
- BEE 5 Star rated BLDC Ceiling Fans and Solar Water Heaters (CPWD projects – New Halls) have been purchased.
- Electrical Load management to reduce peak load (electricity usage) by applying optimised energy distribution management has been implemented.
- Water heating by Heat Pumps can reduce carbon emission by ⅔, i.e., the new pumps have 1/3 the energy requirement as compared to the old pumps.
- The efficiency of electricity usage on campus will be improved by installing rubber insulation on all windows, room occupancy sensors for switching off AC, lights and fans in empty rooms, using only 5-star BEE-rated appliances and gadgets.
- Automated sensor-based lighting in corridors and washrooms.
- The entire classroom complex is designed for daylighting and thus, minimised the requirement for artificial lighting.
