The Carbon Footprint of Online vs. In-Person Learning in Higher Education

Publication Name: Acta Polytechnica Hungarica

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: 23

Issue: 3

Page Range: 31-50

Description:

Our task focused on three main areas: determining the carbon footprint of university education through a university campus and identifying possible areas for emission reduction, investigating the impact of online education on the carbon footprint, identifying international practice, and developing a survey methodology to ensure comparability of results. After a comprehensive literature review, a functional unit and analysis method were defined, considering the areas responsible for carbon emissions on university campuses by scope and category. After determining the carbon footprint values of the present and a hypothetical hybrid solution, an enumeration of possible decarbonization solutions was outlined, as a conclusion of this research.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Authors - 8