This cross-sectional study investigates the energy use behaviors, carbon emissions, and energy-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of undergraduate students from six private medical universities across northern, central, and southern Taiwan. Data were collected via structured questionnaires from May to June 2023, encompassing 184 students with diverse academic years, departments, and gender distributions (69% female). The study quantified daily activity durations involving energy consumption-such as air conditioning, heating, transportation, and use of electrical appliances-and estimated individual annual carbon emissions by integrating activity duration, energy consumption rates, and emission factors. Results indicate that air conditioning and heating account for the longest daily energy use (244 to 750 minutes), reflecting Taiwan’s subtropical climate and high cooling demand. Transportation activities, including car, motorcycle, and public transit use, also contribute substantially, with Taipei Medical University students exhibiting the highest public transportation usage (mean 98 minutes). Departmental variations were noted, with pharmacy students using air conditioning most extensively and medical laboratory science students using public transit more frequently.
The KAP survey revealed moderate to high knowledge levels but comparatively lower positive attitudes and practices toward energy conservation, aligning with international findings. These results highlight the importance of targeted educational interventions to promote sustainable energy behaviors among medical students, who are future healthcare professionals with potential influence on institutional sustainability. This study fills a research gap by linking individual-level energy behaviors with carbon emission estimates in Taiwan’s higher education context, providing a foundation for policy and behavioral strategies aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of medical education institutions.