Integrating Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable University Mobility Strategies

Claudia Alanis, Liliana Ávila-Córdoba, Ariana Cruz-Olayo, Reyna Natividad and Alejandro Padilla-Rivera ()
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Claudia Alanis: Urban and Regional Planning Faculty, Autonomous University of Mexico State, Toluca 50130, Mexico
Liliana Ávila-Córdoba: Engineering Faculty, Autonomous University of Mexico State, Toluca 50110, Mexico
Ariana Cruz-Olayo: Engineering Faculty, Autonomous University of Mexico State, Toluca 50110, Mexico
Reyna Natividad: Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Joint Centre for Research on Sustainable Chemistry, UAEM-UNAM, Autonomous University of Mexico State, Toluca 50200, Mexico
Alejandro Padilla-Rivera: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-24

Abstract: Universities play a critical role in shaping sustainable mobility strategies, especially in urban contexts where the institutional transport system can influence environmental and social outcomes. This study integrates Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment (E-LCA and S-LCA) to evaluate the current university transport system from internal combustion engines, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG), focusing on the operation and maintenance phases. Also, it compares seven scenarios, including electric, renewable sources, and biodiesel technologies. Environmental impacts were assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint method, which considers the following impact categories: Global Warming Potential (GWP); Ozone Formation, Human Health (OfHh); Ozone Formation, Terrestrial Ecosystem (OfTe); Terrestrial Acidification (TA); and Fine Particulate Matter Formation (FPmf). The sensitivity analysis explores scenarios to assess the effects of technological transitions and alternative energy sources on the environmental performance. Social impacts are assessed through a Social Performance Index (SPI) and Aggregated Social Performance Index (ASPI), which aggregates indicators such as safety, travel cost, punctuality, accessibility, and inclusive design. Accessibility emerged as the lowest indicator (ranging from 0.61 to 0.67), highlighting opportunities for improvement. Our findings support decision-making processes for integrating sustainable transport strategies into a University Mobility Plan, emphasizing the importance of combining technical performance with social inclusivity.

Keywords: University Mobility Plan; energy sources; transport service; environmental impacts; social indicators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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