HOW PHILIPPINE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SHARE CARBON REDUCTION PRACTICES: MAPPING MECHANISMS BY INSTITUTIONAL SIZE AND TYPE

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly recognized as critical actors in climate action, yet the diffusion of carbon footprint reduction practices across diverse institutional contexts remains underexplored, particularly in the Global South. This study mapped the extent and variation of mechanisms used by Philippine HEIs to disseminate carbon reduction initiatives, analyzed through the lenses of institutional size and type. Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, quantitative survey data were collected from 28 HEIs across Luzon, followed by qualitative interviews to contextualize dissemination pathways. Findings reveal significant disparities: larger institutions (>15,000 students) demonstrate more advanced and structured sharing mechanisms (mean = 3.44, “Often Practiced”), while mid-sized HEIs (5,000–15,000 students) exhibit a “middle-size disadvantage” (mean = 2.72). Public institutions (SUCs and LUCs) consistently outperform private HEIs (PHEIs), which score lowest (mean = 2.28, “Rarely Practiced”) due to limited regulatory mandates and resource allocation. The study concludes that institutional capacity, governance architecture, and mission alignment critically shape how sustainability knowledge is shared. Recommendations include establishing regional sustainability hubs, mandating standardized diffusion metrics, and incentivizing cross-institutional mentorship to bridge capacity gaps. Targeted policy support is essential to transform isolated initiatives into systemic, equitably shared climate action across the Philippine higher education sector.