Abstract
This study is the first to evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with football field rental operations in Thailand. The Carbon Footprint for Organization framework, following ISO 14064-1:2018 and the GHG Protocol, was applied to quantify the carbon footprint for both current-year operations (2024) and a 10-year renovation cycle. Two facilities were studied: Field A in Ratchaburi Province (8,000 m2; natural grass and artificial turf fields) and Field B in Nonthaburi Province (4,800 m2; two artificial turf fields). GHG emissions were categorized into direct (Scope 1), electricity-related indirect (Scope 2), and other indirect (Scope 3) emissions. In 2024, Scopes 1, 2, and 3 comprised 18.4%, 41.3%, and 40.3% of the total carbon footprint of Field A, and 37.0%, 22.8%, and 40.2% of the total carbon footprint of Field B, respectively. Over the 10-year cycle, renovation activities largely contributed to Scope 3 emissions, increasing total annual carbon footprints by 27.4% for Field A and 19.9% for Field B compared to current operations. Refrigerant leakage, electricity consumption, and employee and customer commuting were the main contributors to Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions, respectively. The annual carbon intensity per area ranged from 17.2 to 19.1 kg CO2eq/m2 for Field A and 15.2 to 16.4 kg CO2eq/m2 for Field B. Field surface type was the major contributor to emission patterns: natural grass fields generated higher operational emissions, whereas artificial turf fields produced greater renovation-related emissions. Using low-carbon electricity, low-carbon or natural refrigerants, and low-embodied-carbon materials may reduce emissions and promote sustainable football field management.