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An N, Huang C, Shen Y, Wang J, Yao J, Yuan PF. Challenges of carbon emission reduction by the workshop education pattern. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13404. [PMID: 36789384 PMCID: PMC9911162 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many conferences and educational events to shift from in-person to online, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with these activities. Workshops are a common pattern of thematic learning at the university level, usually involving a series of activities, such as gathering, learning, and dining, for participants from different regions. However, unlike a three-day conference, workshops usually last for seven days or more, resulting in a non-negligible carbon footprint. To resolve this challenge, we have developed a model that provides recommendations for minimizing the carbon footprint of workshops. Using data from the DigitalFUTURES International Workshop on architecture education at Tongji University in China, we calculated the carbon footprint of scenarios with varying workshop durations, participation modes, and transportation methods. Our results show that online workshops can reduce the carbon footprint by up to 88% compared to in-person workshops. Hybrid workshops, which combine online and in-person participation, can also lead to significant carbon reductions, with a 46% online participation rate resulting in an 82% reduction in carbon footprint. However, we recommend that in-person participation be maintained to ensure efficient learning and effective communication. Our work provides a sustainable solution for organizing future workshops with a reduced carbon footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na An
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chenyu Huang
- School of Architecture and Art, North China University of Technology, Beijing, 100144, China
| | - Yanting Shen
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jinyu Wang
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jiawei Yao
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China,Key Laboratory of Ecology and Energy-saving Study of Dense Habitat (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200092, China,Corresponding authors. College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Philip F. Yuan
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China,Corresponding authors. College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
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