ASSESSMENT OF CARBON FOOTPRINT FROM TRANSPORTATION AND CONSUMPTION BEHAVIORS AMONG STUDENTS AND PERSONNEL AT KHATTIYAWONGSA SCHOOL, ROI ET PROVINCE, THAILAND
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aimed to 1) investigate transportation behaviors among students and personnel at Khattiyawongsa School, Roi Et Province, 2) examine consumption and beverage packaging behaviors, 3) assess carbon footprints generated from these behaviors, and 4) analyze carbon reduction approaches as well as behavioral differences related to greenhouse gas emissions based on demographic characteristics. The research employed a survey design. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from 387 respondents out of an approximate population of 1,200 students and personnel. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance, and carbon footprint assessment.
The findings revealed that 1) motorcycles were the most common mode of transportation, accounting for 45.8% of respondents, followed by private cars at 24.0%; 2) most respondents consumed packaged beverages one to two times per day, accounting for 51.9%, followed by more than two times per day at 30.5%; 3) transportation activities generated approximately 144 tons CO₂e per year, whereas beverage packaging contributed approximately 14 tons CO₂e per year, resulting in a total carbon footprint of approximately 158 tons CO₂e annually; and 4) appropriate carbon reduction measures included promoting ride-sharing, encouraging the use of reusable personal containers, and reducing single-use packaging. In addition, statistically significant associations were found between transportation modes and grade levels, between gender and consumption behavior, and carbon footprints differed significantly by grade level at the .05 level. These findings provide evidence for designing school-based greenhouse gas reduction measures and supporting the development of a low-carbon and sustainable educational institution.
Article Details
References
Brand, C., Götschi, T., Dons, E., Gerike, R., Anaya-Boig, E., Avila-Palencia, I., de Nazelle, A., Gascon, M., Gaupp-Berghausen, M., Iacorossi, F., Kahlmeier, S., Int Panis, L., Racioppi, F., Rojas-Rueda, D., Standaert, A., Stigell, E., Sulikova, S., Wegener, S., & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J. (2021). The climate change mitigation impacts of active travel: Evidence from a longitudinal panel study in seven European cities. Global Environmental Change, 67, 102224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102224
Chanpariyavatevong, K., Jomnonkwao, S., & Ratanavaraha, V. (2026). Exploring the roles of government and school support in active travel intention among adolescents: A multilevel analysis approach. Journal of Transport & Health, 46, 102219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2025.102219
Gibb, N. (2016). Getting climate-ready: A guide for schools on climate action and the whole-school approach. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org
Ingrao, C., & Wojnarowska, M. (2023). Findings from a streamlined life cycle assessment of PET-bottles for beverage-packaging applications, in the context of circular economy. Science of the Total Environment, 892, 164805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164805
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). Climate change 2023: Synthesis report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC. https://doi.org/10.59327/IPCC/AR6-9789291691647
International Organization for Standardization. (2006). ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management—Life cycle assessment—Principles and framework. International Organization for Standardization.
International Organization for Standardization. (2018). ISO 14067:2018 Greenhouse gases—Carbon footprint of products—Requirements and guidelines for quantification. International Organization for Standardization.
Kositcharoenkul, P., Prempreeda, A., Oo, P. Z., Deuja, A., Vassanadumrongdee, S., Gheewala, S. H., & Prapaspongsa, T. (2025). Life cycle assessment of beverage packaging in Thailand: Implications from modeling choices and alternative improvement policies. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 214, 108022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.108022
Meeros, W., & Wichakul, S. (2022). Thailand nationally determined contributions (NDCs): Analysis of climate policy for enhancing climate resilience in infrastructure construction sector. In Proceedings of the 2022 International Conference. IEEE.
Pauer, E., Wohner, B., Heinrich, V., & Tacker, M. (2019). Assessing the environmental sustainability of food packaging: An extended life cycle assessment including packaging-related food losses and waste and circularity assessment. Sustainability, 11(3), 925. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su11030925
Schaar, M. L., & Reiser, D. (2023). Sustainable consumption. In Encyclopedia of sustainable management (pp. 3439–3450). Springer. https://doi.org/10. 1007/978-3-030-02006-4
Sedtha, S., Nitivattananon, V., Ahmad, M. M., & Cruz, S. G. (2023). The first step of single-use plastics reduction in Thailand. Sustainability, 15(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010045
Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. (2024). Thailand greenhouse gas emission factors and carbon accounting guidance. https://www.tgo.or.th
Wiedmann, T., & Minx, J. (2008). A definition of carbon footprint. In C. C. Pertsova (Ed.), Ecological economics research trends (pp. 1–11). Nova Science Publishers.
