Learning objectives
The course aims to raise awareness of the impacts on the environment caused by human activities, and provides tools for their assessment and reduction in an everyday and industrial scenario.
Thanks to theoretical and especially practical lessons, based on real and current business cases and laboratory exercises, the student will learn to:
- Understand the potential consequences of industrial activities on air, water and soil;
- Interpret the state of the art through documents of international and national relevance;
- Know the environmental goals of Carbon Neutrality, Net Zero, Climate Positivity, as well as the 2030 Agenda;
- Assimilate reference regulations and environmental labelling used by companies;
- Apply tools to assess, communicate and mitigate environmental impacts;
- Transparently communicate the green characteristics of products, avoiding greenwashing;
- Use eco-design tools from a circular economy perspective;
- Be aware of urban and industrial waste management mechanisms;
- Create on the SimaPro software a Life Cycle Assessment, recognised by the European Commission as the best methodology for the environmental impact assessment of products and processes.
At the end of the course the student will have gained sensitivity and attention to the issues of environmental sustainability and circular economy: he/she will have all the tools to be able to apply the knowledge acquired, not only in everyday life, but also in a business context.
Prerequisites
None: the course will start from the fundamentals so that all students start at the same level.
Course unit content
Definition of sustainability: Steps towards sustainable development. Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals.
Fighting climate change: the impact and role of industries. The Carbon Neutrality, Net Zero, Climate Positivity goals.
The water resource: industrial uses and wastage. Water pollution: causes and solutions.
Responsible consumption and production: the transition from linear to circular economy. Ecodesign.
The impact of food waste and logistics. Industrial and municipal waste management.
Green claims VS green washing.
Voluntary tools for assessing and certifying environmental sustainability (characteristics, standards, examples of practical business cases):
- The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology
- Carbon Footprint of organisation and product
- Water Footprint
- B Corporation Certification
- Environmental labels and declarations (EPDs)
- Environmental management systems
- Sustainability Report
Laboratory exercises on Simapro 9.5 software for environmental impact assessment of real cases of packaging and industrial plants.
Full programme
Presentation of the course: learning objectives; teaching methods; syllabus; ways of verifying learning; tips for preparing for the exam; lecturer contacts.
Definition of sustainability in its dimensions. Steps towards sustainable development. UN 2030 Agenda: the role of people and industries.
Fighting climate change: scientific basis, consequences and mitigation. The impact and role of industries. Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon neutrality, Net Zero and Climate Positivity objectives.
Water resource: examples and cases of consumption, waste, dispersion. Virtual water. How much water does industry use?
Marine water pollution: organic, chemical, oil and waste. Observations on waste and the industrial system. Bad management of plastic waste and microplastics.
Responsible consumption and production. Transition from linear to circular economy. The importance of ecodesign.
Food industry & sustainability. Food waste. Environmental VS food pyramid.
Sustainable cities and communities. Light pollution. The impact of logistics. Urban and industrial waste management.
Work and employment: new business figures related to sustainability.
The need for renewable and accessible energy.
Green claims VS Green Washing: environmental communication.
Voluntary instruments for environmental sustainability assessment and certification.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology: principles and guidelines. LCA phases.
Company case study of LCA analysis.
Plastic or glass? LCA as a choice tool.
Environmental Management Systems.
Carbon footprint of organisation and product: characteristics, reference standards, advantages. Practical examples of certifications.
Water footprint: characteristics, reference standard, advantages. Practical examples of business cases.
B Corporation certification: the route to obtaining it.
Environmental labels and declarations. Practical cases of type I, II, III certifications. Reading of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of well-known industrial products.
Sustainability report: requirements, contents, reference standards. In-depth study of sustainability reports of two companies chosen by the students from the proposals provided.
In-class LCA exercises: guide to SimaPro 9.5 software. Introduction to the software. Modelling of a packaging. Advanced exercise: LCA of a food machine. Group exercise on system boundaries.
One or two companies are expected to illustrate their path towards environmental sustainability and/or specific technologies related to the topics addressed in the lesson.
Bibliography
Slides provided by the lecturer which, lesson by lesson, will be uploaded on the course Elly page.
Other documents that will be discussed in class: ISO environmental regulations, Agenda 2030, IPCC Sixth Report, Legambiente Beach Litter Survey, National Climate Conference 2023, ASVIS 2023 Report.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures, alternated with interactive and anonymous quizzes that will allow students to be involved and accompanied in the preparation of the exam.
Short cooperative learning activities are foreseen: students will be able to carry out practical tasks that will allow them to assimilate the concepts seen in class by collaborating with their classmates.
Finally, laboratory exercises are planned, aimed at calculating the environmental impact of products and processes with the Simapro 9.5 software, the most widely used in the world for Life Cycle Assessment analysis.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination consists of two parts that will be taken, in succession, on the same day. The overall mark is given by the sum of the marks achieved in the two tests.
The first part consists of a closed-ended quiz (max. 15 points) on the topics covered in the lectures. This is followed by the oral test, which consists of an in-depth presentation of a topic related to the course (max. 15 points + possible honours), to be carried out in groups of a maximum of 4 students. The topic can be selected from a range of the lecturer's proposals, or can be agreed with the students if they have specific topics of interest. In addition, if necessary, students may request to take the oral examination individually. During the course, one hour will be devoted to explaining the examination, agreeing together on the choice of topics for the work.
Other information
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