INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

00036L

Academic Year of enrolment:

2021

Year of supply:

2022/2023

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Disciplinary Sector:

Commodity Studies

Location:

PESCARA

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

RAGGI Andrea

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

102

Prerequisites:

There is no prerequisite for this course.

Objectives

This module aims at helping students to acquire the principles and concepts of Industrial Ecology, as it is an area of interdisciplinary studies that has largely contributed to defining the foundations of Circular Economy and which represents an important reference framework in the management of the environmental variable of business-related systems. The objective is thus to bring students closer to the main approaches and methodologies of industrial ecology in a critical and conscious way; approaches and methodologies that are increasingly widespread both at international and local levels. Emphasis will be given on understanding and learning Life Cycle Assessment, which is considered amongst the most interesting methodologies in the field of Industrial Ecology.
Expected learning outcomes: 1) Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge and understanding of the concept of Industrial Ecology as a critical factor in the management of the environmental variable of business-related systems; 2) Applying knowledge and understanding: Learning of the environmental impacts and of some approaches and tools in order to face the issues of their management. In-depth study of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology; 3) Making judgements: Acquisition of a critical and conscious approach when it comes to the consideration of the main approaches and methodologies of Industrial Ecology and understanding of their usefulness; 4) Communication skills: Ability to report the principles of Industrial Ecology as well as its approaches, methodologies and tools in an adequate way. Ability to report adequately the Life Cycle Assessment methodology; 5) Learning skills: Ability to analyse the principles of Industrial Ecology, its main approaches and methodologies and, principally, Life Cycle Assessment (definitions, terminology, phases, methodological aspects) in an independent way.

Contents

The module begins with an introduction to Industrial Ecology, thus defining its concepts, examining critically its evolution, also in relation to the recent notion of Circular Economy, of which Industrial Ecology can be considered a precursor. The main approaches and methodologies of Industrial Ecology are then briefly reviewed. Later on, an in-depth analysis of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology and its simplification is outlined. In the final part of the module, the dematerialisation of the economy and the product-service systems (PSS) are taken into consideration.

Extended Syllabus

- Definition of Industrial Ecology (IE). Schematisation of the main physical interactions between the economic and the environmental systems. Industrial metabolism and environmental metabolism. Historical evolution of IE: different approaches towards a cleaner production (end-of-pipe, cleaner production, industrial symbiosis). Concepts and principles of IE. Review of the main IE approaches and methodologies.
- Review of the principal environmental issues and of the related precursors and causal mechanisms.
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Introduction to the methodology. Definitions and terminology. Detailed analysis of the phases of an LCA: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, interpretation. Identification and analysis of the methodological aspects in each phase and relates issues: definition of the functional unit and of the reference flow, definition of the system boundary, cut-off criteria, multifunctionality management, open- and closed-cycle recycling, data quality, etc. Case studies analysis and demonstration of specific software.
- Simplified approaches for the environmental assessment in a life-cycle perspective. Simplification strategies. Review of the principal simplified approaches. Methodological follow-up for a set of simplified tools.
- Products and processes dematerialisation as an Industrial Ecology approach. An innovative solution for increasing the immaterial component of system products: Product-Service Systems (PSS). Analysis and case studies.

Recommended Bibliography

Reference books:
Cellura M. (ed.), 2017, Life Cycle Assessment applicata all’edificio – Metodologia e casi di studio sul sistema fabbricato-impianto. Milan: Editoriale Delfino.
Handouts as well as copies of the slides that will be used during the lectures will also be provided.
Further reading:
Arzoumanidis I., Zamagni A., Raggi A., Petti L., Magazzeni D., 2013. A model of simplified LCA for agri-food SMEs. In: Product-Oriented Environmental Management System (POEMS) - Improving Sustainability and Competitiveness in the agri-food chain with innovative environmental management tools (Salomone R., Clasadonte M.T., Proto M., Raggi A., eds), 123-150. Dordrecht: Springer.
Arzoumanidis I., Salomone R., Petti L., Mondello G., Raggi A., 2017. Is there a simplified LCA tool suitable for the agri-food industry? An assessment of selected tools. Journal of Cleaner Production, 149, 406-425.
Baumann H., Tillman A.M., 2004. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to LCA – An Orientation in Life Cycle Assessment Methodology and Application. Lund: Studentlitteratur.
Erkman S., 2002. The recent history of Industrial Ecology. In: A Handbook of Industrial Ecology (Ayres R., Ayres L., eds.), 27-35. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Finnveden G., Hauschild M.Z., Ekvall T., Guinée J., Heijungs R., Hellweg S., Koehler A., Pennigton D., Suh S., 2009. Recent Developments in Life Cycle Assessment. Journal of Environmental Management, 91(1), 1-21.
Reap J., Roman F., Duncan S., Bras B., 2008. A survey of unresolved problems in life cycle assessment – Part 1: goal and scope and inventory analysis. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 13(4), 290-300.
Sauer B., 2012. Life Cycle Inventory Modeling in Practice. In: Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally Sustainable Products (Curran M.A. ed.), Hoboken: Wiley.
Zamagni A., Guinée J., Heijungs R., Masoni P., Raggi A., 2012. Lights and shadows in consequential LCA. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 17(7), 904-918.
UNI EN ISO 14040:2021 - Gestione ambientale – Valutazione del ciclo di vita – Principi e quadro di riferimento. Norma UNI EN ISO 14040. Milano: Ente Italiano di Normazione.
UNI EN ISO 14044:2021 - Gestione ambientale – Valutazione del ciclo di vita – Requisiti e linee guida. Norma ISO 14044. Milano: Ente Italiano di Normazione.

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

Active teaching methods will be favoured as far as possible, with case studies and/or analysis of scientific articles, multimedia study aids, software demonstration, group work and simulations, visits and seminars.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The exam consists in an oral interview aimed at verifying the learning, the conceptual mastery, the vocabulary and the ability to interpret and synthesise. The examination questions include both descriptive and critical elements. Grading uses a 30-point scale.

Contacts/More Information

E-mail: a.raggi@unich.it
Office days and hours: to be defined at the beginning of the course.

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree