EcoESAB: Bragança higher school of agricultural engineering (Portugal) - An EMS project
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abstract
Higher Education Institutions play an important role in modern societies being able to contribute to
sustainability in a decisive manner. One of the possible contributions consists on the adoption of
adequate environmental management practices, ensuring a higher level of control over environmental
aspects. Environmental Management Systems can be an important tool in this process.
Bragança's Higher School of Agronomics develops, since 2002, an Environmental Management
System implementation project designated EcoESAB. This Project has developed from an initial
environmental evaluation to the establishment of various environmental management programs and
consequently reducing School’s environmental impact.
Ever since the start of this Project it become clear that two essential structures should be developed,
one organizational and other documental, adapted to Higher Education Institutions’ reality. In this
sense, EcoESAB has an integrated participating structure adapted to school’s reality, based on a three
layer structure and including an Environmental Commission, key element in environmental
management. Both documental and organizational structure relate with each other, as most of the
documents are discussed and approved at the Environmental Commission.
Learning from EcoESAB experience some advantages and drawbacks are presented, as well as some
limitations faced by this kind of projects.
