B9071 - INDICATORI E METODI PER LA COMUNICAZIONE AMBIENTALE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to: (a)interpret and use sustainability indicators for a proper environmental communication; (b) know, understand and utilize assessment tools relevant to the cycles of substances in the ecosphere and technosphere; (c) know the methodologies for the evaluation of the territorial environmental impact due to industrial plants, from the preliminary study to the monitoring; (d) learn and understand the application of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology for the assessment and the communication of environmental effects related to products, systems and services; (e) know and employ main environmental certification and declaration systems of products and organizations.

Course contents

Impact of anthropic sources on the environment with a particular attention to the environmental impacts most considered in the categories included in the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. Among these, stratospheric ozone depletion, greenhouse effect, photochemical smog formation, atmospheric particulate emission and generation, soil degradation in terms of organic substance content and redation of cationic exchange capacity, soil contamination (contaminated sites), water acidification and their eutrophication, persistent pollutants in the environment and toxicity concepts.

Methodological and conceptual approach to the Life Cycle Assessment: definition of operation phases in relation to ISO standards referring to LCA, discussion of application examples, case study analysis.

Other major environmental sustainability indicators: carbon footprint, water footprint, cumulative energy demand.

Main environmental certification and declaration systems of products and organizations.

Readings/Bibliography

Basic Concepts of Environmental Chemistry - Des W. Connell, https://doi.org/10.1201/b12378

Jolliet O. et al, “Environmental Life Cycle Assessment”, CRC Press, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1201/b19138

ISO Standards 14040, 14044 (LCA); 14021, 14024, 14025 (product labels); 14001 (organizations)

Furthermore, in the academic libraries at Unibo, there are many publications and books, from which one can find plenty of information on different topics discussed during the lectures.

Teaching methods

The course will be taught with theoretical lectures, focuses on application case studies, and particularly through exercitations, active/cooperative teaching methodologies, with the aim of encouraging a critical and interactive participation of the students

Assessment methods

The assessment will be performed through the oral evaluation, discussing a topic previously chosen, well in advance, with the approval of the teacher. The presentation (in PowerPoint, pdf, or similar, whose exposition must last about 10 minutes), which should last approximately 10 minutes, must be sent by e-mail to the teacher at least one week before the date of the exam. At the end of the presentation, starting from the proposed subject, the main aspects related to the overall training programme of the course will be investigated. The accuracy and completeness of the answers, their pertinence, and the specific terminology used will be assessed. Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives. Final grade will be expressed in thirtieths (xx/30).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used as a valuable tool to support independent study by providing additional explanations, summaries, and self-assessment activities. However, during examinations, the use of AI is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during the examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

The registration through AlmaEsami is required for students who want to take the exam, complying mandatorily with the given deadlines. Those who could not register within the deadline due to technical difficulties, must promptly communicate (in any case, within the official closure of the registration list) the problem to the degree programme office. Teacher may decide to admit or not these students.

Teaching tools

The course will be taught with the aid of computer support for the projection of text and images, for database interrogation and calculation software use. An area of Unibo platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) will be set up to share slides presentation, single and/or group reports, indications for exercitations.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Passarini