An Activity-Based Carbon Footprint Assessment at Kondavil South West Grama Niladhari Division in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka

Shagini Balasubramaniam¹, Rajendram Thivyatharsan²

¹ Research Student, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

² Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. 

Abstract

Climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have become major environmental concerns worldwide. Human activities such as electricity consumption, transportation, agriculture, industries, and waste generation release significant amounts of GHGs into the atmosphere. Therefore, assessing carbon emissions at the local level is important to identify major emission sources and support mitigation strategies. This study assessed the activity-based carbon footprint of the Kondavil South West Grama Niladhari (GN) Division in the Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. Primary data were collected through field surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations, while secondary data were obtained from the GN office and related sources. Carbon emissions were estimated using activity data and standard emission factors. Emissions from electricity consumption, fuel use, transportation, fertilizer application, livestock farming, and waste generation were converted into carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e). Carbon sequestration by trees and cultivated lands within the study area was also estimated. The total carbon emission of the study area was estimated at 100,192.54 kg CO₂e per month. Households were identified as the largest contributor, emitting 49,594.12 kg CO₂e/month mainly due to electricity use, cooking fuel consumption, and transportation activities. Retail and wholesale businesses contributed 19,385.99 kg CO₂e/month, while agricultural activities emitted 6,306.09 kg CO₂e/month primarily through fertilizer use, irrigation, and machinery operation. Livestock farms generated methane emissions through enteric fermentation and manure management. Existing vegetation and agricultural lands were unable to fully offset total emissions. The findings indicate that energy consumption, transportation, and agriculture are the major emission sources. Promoting renewable energy, sustainable agricultural practices, proper waste management, and tree planting programs can contribute to reducing emissions and supporting climate change mitigation.    

Keywords: Activity-based assessment, Climate change mitigation, Carbon footprint, Carbon sequestration, GHG emissions, Household emissions

References

1. Ariyaratne, K.A., Perera, B.P. and Jayasinghe, M.T. (2022) ‘Modeling the agricultural carbon footprint and greenhouse gas mitigation pathways under shifting climate scenarios’, Discover Sustainability, 3(1), 1054.
2. Bielenia, M., Dubisz, D. and Czermański, E. (2023) ‘Methodological introduction to the carbon footprint evaluation of intermodal transport’, Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11, 1237763.
3. Deswal, P. (2025) ‘Article 6 of the Paris Agreement: A comprehensive review of mechanisms, progress, and persistent challenges’, International Journal of Technology, Health and Sustainability, 1(2), pp. 111-125. https://ijths.com/wp-content/uploads/IJTHS-010235.pdf
4. Deswal, S. and Deswal, P. (2025) ‘Sustainability: Greenhouse Gas Protocol and global GHG emissions’ status and trends’, International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 6(1), pp. 2051-2063. https://doi.org/10.54660/.IJMRGE.2025.6.1.2051-2063
5. DSJ (2023) Kondavil South West J/116: Resource profile and climate metrics. Divisional Secretariat Jaffna, Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
6. FAO (2001) Global climate change and forests: Carbon sequestration and terrestrial ecosystems. Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO Forestry Department, Rome.
7. IPCC (2006) Good practice guidance for land use, land use change and forestry. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme, Hayama, Japan.
8. IPCC (2014) Climate change 2014: Synthesis report. contribution of working groups I, II and III to the fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland.
9. IPCC (2019) 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland.
10. Kalubowila, K.C. and Arambepola, C. (2026) ‘Urban-rural disparities in household carbon footprints in Colombo, Sri Lanka’, Discover Environment, 4(1), 25.
11. Kumanayake, R. and Luo, H. (2018), ‘Life cycle carbon emission assessment of a multi-purpose university building: A case study of Sri Lanka’, Frontiers of Engineering Management, 5(3), pp. 380-393.
12. Lakshani, M.T., Deepagoda, T.C., Li, Y., et al. (2023), ‘Impact of water management on methane emission dynamics in Sri Lankan paddy ecosystems’, Water, 15(21), 3715.
13. Li, X., Wang, Y. and Zhang, L. (2024) ‘Agricultural mitigation practices and energy footprint optimization in regional crop production systems’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 432, 139810.
14. Madhubhashini, M.P.C., Jayasinghe, M.T. and Halwatura, R.U. (2025) ‘Life cycle carbon footprint assessment of alternative building materials in developing tropical nations’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 465, 125110.
15. Munasinghe, M., Meier, P., Chandrasekere, D., et al. (2016) Sustainable transport options for Sri Lanka. Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme Report, 262(1), pp. 1-5.
16. Nawarathna, A., Siriwardana, M. and Alwan, Z. (2021) ‘Embodied carbon as a material selection criterion: Insights from Sri Lankan construction sector’, Sustainability, 13(4), 2202
17. Nguyen, T.X., Luu, Q. M., Do, M.H., et al., (2026) ‘Analysis of CO₂ emissions and energy efficiency potential of data centers in Vietnam’, International Journal of Technology, Health and Sustainability, 2(2), pp. 421-427. https://ijths.com/wp-content/uploads/IJTHS-0202003.pdf
18. Nwachukwu, P.O., Okosong, O.J., Nnadi, O.C., et al. (2026) ‘Assessment of environmental impacts of urbanization in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria’, International Journal of Technology, Health and Sustainability, 2(2), pp. 705-712. https://ijths.com/wp-content/uploads/IJTHS-0202027.pdf
19. Omali, T.U. and Onyevu, R.O. (2026) ‘Robust control of environmental pollution in Nigeria: The prospects of leveraging GIS and remote sensing’, International Journal of Technology, Health and Sustainability, 2(2), pp. 713-720. https://ijths.com/wp-content/uploads/IJTHS-0202044.pdf
20. Onisosomuya, J.W, Okosong, O.J., Onuegbu, W.C., et al. (2026) ‘Assessment of the impact of urbanisation on land use changes in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria’, International Journal of Technology, Health and Sustainability, 2(2), pp. 551-558. https://ijths.com/wp-content/uploads/IJTHS-0202002.pdf  
21. Rathnayake, H. and Mizunoya, T. (2023) ‘A study on GHG emission assessment in agricultural areas in Sri Lanka: The case of Mahaweli H agricultural region’, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(37), 88180.
22. Sumathiratna, V.D., Lokupitiya, E. and Sumathiratna, S. (2024) ‘Prediction of per-head carbon footprint through mindfulness’, Journal of Carbon and Climate Change Studies, 2(1), pp. 39-45.
23. Verma, A., Kumar, S. and Sharma, D. (2021) ‘Quantification of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint from agricultural crop residue burning’, Discover Sustainability, 2(1), 1038.
24. WB (2025) World development indicators: Environmental sustainability and normalized per capita metrics. World Bank Group.
25. WC (2026) Jaffna temperature by month: 28-32°C. Weather and Climate. https://weather-and-climate.com/
26. Zhang, W., Zhou, T., Ye, W., et al. (2025) ‘A year marked by extreme precipitation and floods: Weather and climate extremes in 2024’, Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 42(6), pp. 1045-1063.