ABSTRACT
The present study focuses on transitioning from traditional, paper-based documentation to a fully digital approach in the preparation of the Self-Study Report (SSR) for assessment and accreditation at The Cochin College. The purpose is to minimise environmental impact by reducing paper usage, thereby aligning with global sustainability goals like SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). The study identifies the environmental drawbacks of traditional SSR preparation, including high paper consumption, ink/toner use, and printer energy. To address this, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) implemented a digital system for SSR preparation, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. The methodology involves collection, preparation, storage and management of data electronically with the aid of systems built on popular cloud-based tools. Key findings include an estimated reduction of 149.81 kg of CO₂ emissions from paper and ink usage alone. The digital process also resulted in substantial operational benefits, such as improved document security, efficient data retrieval, and reduced physical storage needs. Moreover, the study presents a comparative analysis between Paper-based SSR and Digital SSR preparation, emphasising the efficiency gains and environmental benefits of digitalization. It serves as a model for other institutions to adopt similar paperless approaches, fostering a culture of sustainability. The study concludes that digital documentation supports sustainability and institutional efficiency, offering a model adaptable to accreditation systems nationwide.
AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS
1 Department of Economics, The Cochin College, Kerala, India, 682002
2 Department of Electronics, The Cochin College, Kerala, India, 682002
3 Department of Zoology, The Cochin College, Kerala, India, 682002
4 Department of Physics, The Cochin College, Kerala, India, 682002
CITATION
Sindhu K, Paulbert T, Vineeth Kumar TV, Manju VS and Uma S (2025) Towards Greener Accreditation: Cutting Carbon Footprint through Sustainable Digital Documentation in Higher Education. Environmental Science Archives 4(2): 862-870.
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