Environment, Sustainability and Life Cycle Analysis

Recommended Prerequisites

- Basic concepts in environment and sustainability.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes with explanation of the subjects, including the presentation and discussion of some examples. Research work done by students on some specific themes. Lectures by experts in different areas of Environmental Sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

The main objective is to provide students with solid knowledge of the fundamentals of environmental sustainability, and methods for the assessment of sustainability in a life cycle perspective. Students should be able: to understand the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development; to identify the main environmental challenges of present and future society, to recognize the need to apply mitigation measures for the environmental impacts generated; to know the main methodologies for the asessment of sustainability; and to use life cycle analysis for the assessment and management of sustainability.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

• General concepts, objectives of Sustainable Development (SDO) in general and Sustainable Development of cities.

• Identification of society's challenges - Presentation and discussion of the main challenges of current and future society: Depletion of Natural Resources, Water shortage, Waste generation, Energy consumption, Intensive urbanization, Air quality, Noise.

• Methodologies for the description, assessment and management of sustainability

Sustainable Development Indicators; Environmental certification; Environmental labeling.

• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

General framework of LCA according to ISO standards, generic and specific databases, tools for LCA, case studies.

Head Lecturer(s)

Helena Maria dos Santos Gervásio

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 50.0%
Synthesis work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Peter P. Rogers, Kazi F. Jalal, John A. Boyd, An Introduction to Sustainable Development, Earthscan, 2012.

Vesilind, P. Aarne., Introduction to environmental engineering / P. Aarne Vesilind, Susan M. Morgan, Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brook/Cole, 2004.

Kiely, Gerard, Environmental engineering, Boston : McGraw-Hill, 1998.

S. Peavy, Donald R. Rowe, Environmental Engineering, 2013 by Mc Graw Hill India

ISO 14040: Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and Framework. International Standard Organization. 1997

ISO 14044: Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment - Requirements and Guidelines. International Standard Organization. 2006