Reduction of Environmental Footprint at universities using Life Cycle Assessment and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis

This study proposes a participatory approach combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to reduce the environmental footprint (EF) of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), using the University of the Basque Country (EHU) as a case study. Six low-EF scenarios were co-designed with stakeholders, including actions such as extending the life of computer equipment, improving waste collection, promoting public transport, shifting to renewable heating, and increasing online academic activity. Environmental impacts were quantified using Organisational LCA (O-LCA), while SOCRATES (SOcial multi-CRiteria AssessmenT of European policieS) was used to evaluate low-EF scenarios and their implementation barriers. Scenarios reducing mobility and boosting public transport showed the highest environmental benefits while facing significant implementation barriers; scenario A7 Blended Learning reduces environmental impacts by approximately 15–30%, and A4 Transport does so by 6–25%, depending on the impact category. The results underscore the pivotal role of mobility in EF reduction and the need to align actions with institutional capacities. The study offers a replicable six-step framework integrating the participatory process, environmental impact modelling, analysis of implementation barriers, and overall decision assessment to advance sustainability in HEIs.