Sistematization of an Ecoefficiency Model Applied to a University Campus

Abstract

According to recent regulations, public organizations are encouraged to report current levels of supplies consumption including fuels, water, electricity, paper and others. Nevertheless, one of the key barriers for increasing adoption of ecoefficiency and cleaner production programs is the lack of successful studies among local organizations. In the light of the above concern, systematization of best practices and most common retrofits could help accelerate the pace of implementing further concrete actions. The methodology that was carried out for the present work focuses on ecoefficiency in the public sector, local guidelines for ecoefficiency, most frequent ecoefficiency measures, and systematization for decision making purposes There are several ecoefficiency measures that have been frequently recommended for electricity, fuel, water, and office supply consumption optimization. A model is proposed in order capture interactions among ecoefficiency strategies, resources optimization, and feasibility for decision making purposes. It is concluded that an organization might be interested in implementing a recommended ecoefficiency strategy (best practice, retrofit, innovation) in order to achieve resource optimization (electricity, fuels, water, and office supplies) but feasibility will depend on several considerations (economic benefit, cost implementation, and payback period) for decision making purposes.

Description

Keywords

Ecoefficiency, Cleaner Production, Environmental Management, Public Institutions

Citation