CMU and ERDI-CMU Certified ‘Gold-level’ by Climate Action Leading Organization (CALO)
18 October 2023
Corporate Communication and Alumni Relations Center (CCARC)
CMU and the Energy Research and Development Institute of Nakornping, CMU (ERDI-CMU) have been certified by the Climate Action Leading Organization (CALO) for 2023 as a result of the decision by the Thailand Carbon Neutral Network (TCNN), Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. CMU’s reduction of greenhouse gas emissions was placed at the Gold-level, emitting at least 2.5% carbon dioxide less than the previous year, making it among the first Thai universities to achieve this level of certification.
CMU received a Gold-level result in ‘Greenhouse Gas Reduction’ and Bronze in ‘Measurement in the CALO Assessment and Certification’ in the General Category. This is a result of the ongoing effort to advance proactive strategies on energy and environmental issues, resulting in the readiness in terms of infrastructure, facilities, body of knowledge, research, and development of workforce with an expertise to become a ‘Carbon Neutral University’ which plays a part in solving global challenges sustainably. ERDI-CMU will act as the main driving force in achieving carbon neutrality university-wide by 2032.
In an effort to reduce greenhouse gases, CMU has adopted the concept of ‘zero waste’ to manage waste and turn it into energy. The Integrated Biomass Management Centre has successfully reduced emissions by 6,971 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. Solar rooftops have been installed in several buildings to promote clean energy by turning solar energy into electricity, decreasing emissions by about 7,545 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. Moreover, there is an effort to drive research and development on energy innovation, storage and efficiency enhancement has been promoted, as well as collaboration with external organisations to reduce emissions.
ERDI, which also received a Gold in reduction and a Bronze in measurement, has plans to reduce emissions in several aspects, from conserving energy and increasing energy efficiency, to promoting renewable ones, for instance, switching to LED lightbulbs, reducing air-conditioning use as well as maintaining the air-conditioners, and installing a battery energy storage system and solar rooftops.
The CALO assessment helps promote an organizations’ leadership in managing and taking responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions through a declaration of intent to reduce emissions and head towards carbon neutrality at the organizational level. The commitment is accompanied by clear goals and execution plans that align with science and the Paris Agreement, as well as organizational carbon footprint certification and other relevant standards by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization or equivalents.