Analyzing research trends of universities’ carbon footprint: An integrated review

An accurate assessment of carbon footprint is one of the key elements to evaluate progress towards sustainable development. Although, recent studies have extensively analyzed carbon footprint, the scientific contribution related to universities and higher education institutes requires further consideration. The current study provides a detailed integrative review of universities’ carbon footprint to provide contextual information and novel findings. Our novel review strategy allows us to report thematic analysis, co-citation analysis, research collaboration analysis, and methodological and topical contribution. As policymakers prioritize sustainable development, we allow them to understand different dynamics of academic institutions’ carbon footprint and report policy suggestions to improve it. As any change at higher research institutions has a wider impact on society in general, it is our opinion that developing sustainable university campuses also has implications for future research, management practices and compliance with sustainable development goals.