Environmental Assessment of University Campuses: The Case of the University of Navarra in Pamplona (Spain)

Alba Arias, Iñigo Leon, Xabat Oregi and Cristina Marieta
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Alba Arias: Department of Architecture, University of the Basque Country, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Iñigo Leon: Department of Architecture, University of the Basque Country, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Xabat Oregi: Department of Architecture, University of the Basque Country, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Cristina Marieta: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: Current European environmental sustainability standards call for achieving a reduction in energy consumption and CO 2 emissions for a horizon set in the year 2050. It has been verified that buildings and cities have a higher incidence in this regard. It is necessary to have tools for initial assessment that can quickly analyse whether the improvement scenarios put forward by different organisations and governments will be able to meet the goals set at European level. Universities are an important factor for the intended change and therefore offer an excellent environment for testing such tools. A case study focusing on a university in northern Spain is presented, through an evaluation tool using 3D models including life-cycle assessment. Different reform scenarios are evaluated for two key years, 2030 and 2050. The novelty lies in considering, not only the impact of the operational phase but also the impact of the different stages of the life cycle and processes, obtaining an impact value closer to reality. The results indicate that, even with major retrofitting and adaptation efforts, the European targets are difficult to achieve by 2050. Moreover, solutions such as biomass help to achieve greenhouse gas reductions but not to improve energy efficiency.

Keywords: energy transition; renewable energy; decision support tool; life-cycle assessment; university environmental impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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