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The ecological footprint and environmental sustainability of students of a public university in Ghana: developing ecologically sustainable practices

Rita Adjei (Quality Assurance and Academic Planning Directorate, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana)
Michael Addaney (Department of Planning and Sustainability, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana and Centre for Public Management and Governance, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa)
Leslie Danquah (Department of Geographic Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana)

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

ISSN: 1467-6370

Article publication date: 10 June 2021

Issue publication date: 28 October 2021

644

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine the impact of resource use behaviours of students of a public university in Ghana on ecological sustainability. It examines the land area required to provide the resources used and also to assimilate the wastes produced. It also suggests an effective way to initiate participative discussions on environmental sustainability and consequences of resource use in a university setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a mixed methods approach to gather and analyse data on students’ lifestyles concerning ecological footprint. The data was analysed using the Predictive Analytics Software and a modified version of the ecological footprint analysis (EFA).

Findings

The current ecological footprint of students in the university is not environmentally sustainable. The sample population had high average ecological footprint of 3.62 hectares, representing an ecological impact score of 135.85. The findings provide lessons on how universities and analogous institutions interested in sustainable practices could foster ecologically sustainable development.

Research limitations/implications

Additional data collection methods such as a longitudinal study would provide a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of resource use behaviour of students in a public university in Ghana on ecological sustainability.

Social implications

EFA and findings can support universities to effectively integrate sustainability practices into their policies and practices to help students contribute to making society more sustainable.

Originality/value

This is an original research and makes a contribution to EFA and sustainable practices of public universities in Ghana.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This paper forms part of a special section “Higher education and the acceleration of the sustainable development goals in Africa”, guest edited by Rudi Pretorius and Melanie Nicolau.

Citation

Adjei, R., Addaney, M. and Danquah, L. (2021), "The ecological footprint and environmental sustainability of students of a public university in Ghana: developing ecologically sustainable practices", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 22 No. 7, pp. 1552-1572. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-08-2020-0318

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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