Environmental management systems in higher education institutions, beyond regulations

Abstract

Environmental management systems are usually associated with industry, considered to be the major polluters of the environment. This article presents the need to implement such a system in higher education institutions, starting from its regulations and demonstrating the possible similarity of universities with a large economic entity. Some examples of good practice are also presented. The conclusions present the importance of the role of the academic community and the opportunity to integrate an environmental management system with the other specific management systems, existing at the level of universities.