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The Road to 2030: Combining Life Cycle Assessment and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to Evaluate Commuting Alternatives in a University Context

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  • Denner Deda

    (ISISE—Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Polo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
    CERES—Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Jônatas Augusto Manzolli

    (IMaTS Lab—Intelligent Mobility and Transportation Safety Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
    INESC Coimbra—Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering at Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Margarida J. Quina

    (CERES—Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Helena Gervasio

    (ISISE—Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Polo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

Institutions are increasingly being challenged to reduce the environmental impacts of daily commuting, while balancing complex and often conflicting sustainability goals. This study addressed the limitations of carbon-centric assessments by proposing a framework that integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) with multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to evaluate seven prospective commuting alternatives for 2030, using a Portuguese university as a case study. Utilizing the PROMETHEE method across 16 environmental criteria, the analysis revealed that active mobility offered the most balanced and sustainable outcomes, consistently performing the best across all impact categories. In contrast, the electrification of private vehicles, although it reduced greenhouse gas emissions, was identified as the least favorable option, due to significant trade-offs in areas such as resource depletion and water use, as well as other environmental burdens. Public transport scenarios, particularly those involving electric bus systems, showed intermediate performance. In this context, the proposed LCA–MCDA framework provides policymakers and institutions with a comprehensive decision-support tool to navigate environmental trade-offs, promote low-impact mobility strategies, and meet evolving sustainability reporting requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Denner Deda & Jônatas Augusto Manzolli & Margarida J. Quina & Helena Gervasio, 2025. "The Road to 2030: Combining Life Cycle Assessment and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to Evaluate Commuting Alternatives in a University Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-31, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5839-:d:1686841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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