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ASSESSING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF PROJECTS WITH DIFFERENT TOOLS. A LIFE CYCLE PERSPECTIVE

  • Alessandro Manzardo - CESQA, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
  • Daniela Camana - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
  • Andrea Fedele - CESQA, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padua, Italy
  • Federico Gallo - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy

DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2022.17229

Released under CC BY-NC-ND

Copyright: © 2022 CISA Publisher

Abstract

In recent years, industrial and civil projects and policies usually include improvement of sustainability performance. Many instruments, tools, and targets exist to assess environmental performance and sustainability. Life cycle assessment is one of the most used and robust tools. The aim of this analysis is to evaluate if different approaches can result in different environmental sustainability assessment results. Some case studies based on previous research are listed. Results of selected tools – carbon footprint, design for disassembly criteria, environmental product declaration targets, national targets of the Italian recovery plan, sustainable development goals, green chemistry principles, waste hierarchy objectives, material circular indicators – are compared to the outcomes of the life cycle thinking approach. The assessment of environmental sustainability performance of projects appears to depend on the tool used. Thus, the role of selected instruments, subjective choices, fair communication of results, and sustainability definition are investigated. Finally, future areas of study are indicated.

Keywords

Editorial History

  • Received: 18 Jun 2022
  • Revised: 22 Oct 2022
  • Accepted: 06 Dec 2022
  • Available online: 20 Dec 2022

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