OVERVIEW

The course addresses the principles and tools of Environmental Sanitary Engineering for pollution prevention, protection of environmental media, and sustainable resource management. Methodological approaches supporting the ecological and climate transition are explored, with particular reference to the circular economy, the recovery and reuse of materials, water and energy, and the reduction of environmental impacts associated with products, processes, services, and infrastructures.
Special attention is given to environmental assessment tools, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies, ecological footprint indicators, and the main environmental certification and permitting systems. The course integrates theoretical and applied aspects through the analysis of case studies related to the water, waste, and energy sectors.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

ourse provides students with the knowledge and operational tools required to integrate environmental, energy, and sustainability criteria into decision-making processes, as well as into the design and management of environmental systems and infrastructures.
To this aim, methodologies and tools used at national and international level for the assessment of environmental impacts, sustainability, and circularity of products, processes, and services will be presented.
Students will acquire competencies related to:
•    principles and strategies of ecological and climate transition;
•    prevention and mitigation of environmental impacts;
•    sustainable management of natural resources and environmental services;
•    circular economy and valorisation of materials, water, and energy;
•    environmental assessment methodologies and decision-support tools;
•    Life Cycle Assessment (LCA);
•    carbon footprint, water footprint, and other environmental indicators;
•    regulatory and voluntary environmental management tools;
•    environmental certifications and permitting procedures.
At the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze different management and design scenarios, identifying the most sustainable solutions from an environmental, technical, and economic perspective.

PREREQUISITES

For effective learning, basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and environmental sciences is required. No formal prerequisites are established.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures, numerical and applied exercises, case study analyses, and in-depth seminars.
Teaching activities are oriented toward the practical application of environmental assessment and sustainability tools through the use of real data, applied examples, and, where possible, dedicated software for Life Cycle Assessment and environmental impact evaluation.
The teaching approach encourages active student participation through guided discussions, individual or group work, and case study presentations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Ecological transition and sustainability
•    Sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda.
•    European Green Deal and climate neutrality strategies.
•    Resource efficiency and decarbonization.
•    Principles of circular economy.
2. Pollution prevention and sustainable resource management
•    Strategies for pollution prevention and impact minimization.
•    Recovery and valorisation of materials and energy.
•    Sustainable management of water resources and wastewater treatment processes.
•    Circular management of waste and by-products.
•    Atmospheric emissions.
3. Environmental assessment and decision support
•    Principles of environmental assessment.
•    Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
•    Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
•    Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permitting.
•    Environmental indicators and decision-support tools.
4. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
•    Life Cycle Thinking approach.
•    ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards.
•    Goal and scope definition.
•    Life Cycle Inventory (LCI).
•    Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA).
•    Interpretation of results.
•    Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis.
•    Introduction to main LCA databases and software tools.
5. Environmental footprint and sustainability
•    Carbon footprint.
•    Water footprint.
•    Environmental footprint.
•    Circularity indicators.
6. Certifications and voluntary instruments
•    ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.
•    EMAS Regulation.
•    Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).
•    Environmental criteria and sustainability reporting.
7. Applications and case studies
•    Comparative analysis of environmental management scenarios.
•    LCA applications in the water, waste, and energy sectors.
•    Sustainability assessment of environmental technologies and infrastructures.
•    Exercises and case study development.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

vignarelli C., Bertanza G., Abbà A., Ingegneria Sanitaria Ambientale. Principi e applicazioni, CEA – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, ultima edizione.
•    Integrated Solid Waste Management: Engineering Principles and Management Issues, McGraw-Hill.
•    Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery, McGraw-Hill.
•    ISPRA - Linee guida per la valutazione integrata di impatto ambientale e sanitario (VIIAS) nelle procedure di autorizzazione ambientale (VAS, VIA e AIA) - 133/2016 ISBN:  978-88-448-0758-0
•    Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy COM/2015/0614 final
•    Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Towards the circular economy Vol. 1: an economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition, 2013
•    Measuring Material Flows and Resource PRODUCTIVITY Volume I. The OECD Guide
•    ISO Standards 14040-14044

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11765

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of an oral test aimed at assessing the understanding of theoretical contents, the ability to apply the methodologies presented during the course, and the student's autonomy in analyzing complex environmental issues.
Assignments or exercises developed during the course may contribute to the final evaluation.
Three exam sessions are scheduled during the winter examination period (January, February, and during the Easter academic break of the Polytechnic), and four sessions during the summer examination period (June, July, September, and during the autumn break of the Polytechnic School). No additional extraordinary sessions are foreseen outside the standard academic calendar, except for students without coursework activities in the current academic year curriculum.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Learning outcomes are assessed through an oral examination