The case study institution, the University of the Basque Country, is one of Spain’s largest public universities, with campuses spread across Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz. That geographic dispersion matters enormously for environmental accounting, because it multiplies commuting, building operations and logistics. Rather than treating the university as an abstract carbon total, the researchers applied Organisational Life Cycle Assessment, known as O-LCA, a method standardised under ISO guidelines that extends product-level life cycle thinking to entire organisations. O-LCA traces environmental impacts across the full chain of activities associated with the institution, from purchased goods and energy use to waste treatment and transport, converting them into recognised impact categories such as climate change, resource depletion and pollution. This produces a comprehensive environmental footprint rather than a single headline number, allowing decision-makers to see precisely which activities dominate which categories of harm.

Quantification alone, however, does not produce change. The study’s second pillar, Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis, addresses a stubborn problem in sustainability governance: environmental benefits rarely align neatly with social, economic and institutional realities. A measure that slashes emissions on paper may be politically impossible, financially prohibitive or socially unpopular. The researchers used a specific MCDA framework called SOCRATES, short for SOcial multi-CRiteria AssessmenT of European policieS, which was originally developed to evaluate European policy options. SOCRATES structures the evaluation of alternative scenarios by weighing multiple criteria simultaneously and, importantly, by making the assessment participatory. Stakeholders, including university staff, researchers and administrators, were directly involved in designing and judging the options, which the authors argue is essential for producing decisions that survive contact with institutional reality.

From this participatory process, six low-environmental-footprint scenarios were co-designed with stakeholders. The actions were deliberately concrete rather than aspirational. They included extending the useful life of computer equipment, thereby reducing the considerable embodied impacts of manufacturing and disposing of electronics; improving waste collection systems; promoting public transport among the university community; shifting heating systems toward renewable energy sources; and increasing online academic activity such as remote teaching and digital meetings. Each scenario was then modelled through the O-LCA framework to estimate its environmental consequences across multiple impact categories, and each was simultaneously evaluated through SOCRATES for its feasibility, barriers and broader social implications. This dual evaluation is what distinguishes the study from many campus sustainability audits, which typically measure impacts without systematically assessing whether proposed remedies can actually be implemented.

The headline findings are striking. Scenarios targeting mobility, specifically those that reduce private car commuting and boost public transport use, delivered the highest environmental benefits of any intervention tested, while at the same time facing the most significant implementation barriers. This tension between impact and feasibility emerged as the central lesson of the research. Meanwhile, the scenario labelled A7, Blended Learning, was found to reduce environmental impacts by approximately 15 to 30 percent depending on the impact category examined. The transport-focused scenario A4 achieved reductions of 6 to 25 percent, again varying by category. The ranges reflect the fact that different environmental impacts respond differently to the same intervention: cutting car journeys reduces greenhouse gas emissions sharply but may have more modest effects on categories such as water use or mineral resource depletion, which are driven by other parts of the university’s activity.

The prominence of mobility in the results will resonate far beyond the Basque Country. Commuting is consistently identified as one of the largest contributors to the carbon footprint of higher education institutions, often exceeding on-campus energy use, yet it is also the hardest lever to pull because it depends on individual behaviour, urban infrastructure and regional transport policy rather than on decisions the university can make unilaterally. The study’s authors underscore that the pivotal role of mobility in footprint reduction must be matched by honest attention to institutional capacities. A university cannot simply decree that its members stop driving; it can, however, invest in shuttle services, negotiate public transport passes, redesign timetables to reduce travel frequency and support blended learning formats that remove some journeys altogether. The participatory design of the scenarios was intended precisely to identify which of these levers are realistic in a given institutional context.

Equally notable is the study’s treatment of barriers. Rather than treating implementation obstacles as an afterthought, the researchers built their analysis around them, using the SOCRATES framework to evaluate each scenario’s barriers alongside its benefits. The scenarios with the greatest environmental promise, the mobility-focused ones, were also those confronting the deepest resistance, whether from entrenched habits, infrastructural constraints or competing institutional priorities. By surfacing these tensions explicitly, the study offers administrators a more honest decision landscape than conventional footprint reports, which often present idealised reductions that never materialise. The authors argue that aligning proposed actions with institutional capacities is not a compromise of ambition but a precondition for achieving any reduction at all.

Perhaps the most transferable contribution is the six-step framework the team distilled from their experience. The framework integrates the participatory process that generates and refines scenarios, the environmental impact modelling that quantifies their consequences through Organisational LCA, the analysis of implementation barriers that tests their feasibility, and an overall decision assessment that synthesises all of this into actionable recommendations. Because each step is documented and methodologically explicit, the framework can be replicated by other higher education institutions with different sizes, geographies and resource bases. The authors position it as a tool for advancing sustainability across the higher education sector, where thousands of institutions collectively represent a substantial share of public-sector environmental impact and where campuses also serve as living laboratories in which students can witness sustainability science applied to their own daily routines.

The research was carried out under the EHU-AztarnaII project, funded by the Sustainability and Social Commitment Directorate of the University of the Basque Country through its Campus Bizia Lab programme across the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 calls, with additional support from the Ekopol research group recognised by the Basque Government. This institutional embedding is itself part of the story: the study did not examine the university from the outside but emerged from within its own sustainability governance structures, with informed consent obtained from all participants. For a sector under growing pressure from students, governments and funders to demonstrate genuine environmental progress, the message of the study is ultimately one of disciplined optimism. Significant reductions, on the order of 15 to 30 percent in several impact categories, are achievable with measures already within reach of most universities, provided that institutions measure honestly, involve their communities in choosing among options, and plan for the barriers as carefully as they plan for the benefits.

Subject of Research: Reducing the environmental footprint of higher education institutions using Life Cycle Assessment and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis

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

Article References: Etxano, I., Barinaga-Rementeria, I., Bueno, G., de Blas, M., Pérez-Iribarren, E., Zuazo, I., Torre-Pascual, E., Erauskin-Tolosa, A., Tamayo, U., Akizu-Gardoki, O., Zulueta, G., Barrio, I., Toral, M., & Alustiza, O. (2026). Reduction of Environmental Footprint at universities using Life Cycle Assessment and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis. Discover Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-04800-7

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s43621-026-04800-7

Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis, environmental footprint, higher education institutions, University of the Basque Country, sustainability, O-LCA, SOCRATES, mobility, blended learning, implementation barriers, participatory decision-making

At the core of this research is the increasing recognition that student satisfaction is not merely a byproduct of education but a critical component that can significantly drive enrollment, retention, and institutional loyalty. The authors argue that universities must strategically evaluate the dimensions of their educational services to foster a conducive learning environment that aligns with student expectations and needs. This not only enhances satisfaction but also boosts overall academic and institutional performance.

The AQIP model used in this study is noteworthy, as it emphasizes continuous improvement through a systematic approach that evaluates various educational dimensions such as curriculum design, teaching effectiveness, and student services. This model encourages institutions to engage in self-assessment and develop proactive strategies that directly address the factors affecting student experiences. By applying this model, the researchers aimed to uncover specific elements of educational service quality that are most influential in shaping student perceptions and behaviors.

Detailed analysis within the study reveals several key factors contributing to educational service quality, including the competence and availability of faculty, the relevance and organization of course material, and the accessibility of educational resources. Each of these dimensions plays a crucial role in shaping how students perceive the value of their educational experience. The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to glean a comprehensive understanding of student perspectives.

The quantitative data collected through surveys revealed a strong correlation between high-quality educational services and increased levels of student satisfaction. Students who reported positive experiences with faculty engagement and course organization also indicated a higher likelihood of remaining loyal to their institutions. This finding underscores the vital relationship between educational service quality and student retention strategies, particularly in an era where competition among higher education institutions is intensifying.

Furthermore, the qualitative interviews provided rich insights into the subjective experiences of students. Many participants articulated a longing for more interactive and personalized learning environments, emphasizing that meaningful engagement with faculty members significantly enhanced their satisfaction levels. This qualitative dimension adds depth to the quantitative findings, illustrating that while data can show trends, the human experience behind those numbers provides essential context for understanding and addressing student needs.

Another critical outcome of the study was the recognition that educational service quality extends beyond the academic curriculum. Students expressed a desire for robust support systems that encompass academic advising, mental health services, and career counseling. These ancillary services play a crucial role in shaping overall student satisfaction and must be integrated into the strategic planning of educational institutions. This holistic approach ensures that students receive comprehensive support throughout their academic journeys, which in turn fosters loyalty and long-term engagement with the institution.

The implications of Amiri and colleagues’ findings are profound. Educational institutions must not only prioritize the enhancement of academic offerings but also ensure that support services are robust and responsive. By adopting a more student-centered approach, universities can create learning environments that meet the evolving demands of modern students, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty rates.

As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, this research serves as a clarion call for institutions to rethink their operational frameworks. The AQIP model provides a valuable lens through which educational leaders can analyze their practices and implement meaningful changes. By committing to continuous improvement and focusing on the quality of educational services, institutions can better position themselves in a competitive market where student choices are influenced not just by academic reputation but by the holistic quality of the educational experience.

In conclusion, the work by Amiri, Shahir-Roudi, and Shahsavar significantly contributes to our understanding of the relationship between educational service quality, student satisfaction, and loyalty. By employing the AQIP model, the research offers a structured path for institutions aiming to enhance their educational practices and improve student outcomes. The insights garnered from this study provide a foundation for further inquiry into how universities can evolve in an increasingly complex educational landscape.

The findings of this study will undoubtedly spark further research into the dynamics of educational service quality and its broader implications for student engagement, retention, and institutional strategy. As educational leaders seek innovative ways to understand and respond to student needs, the insights from this research will be instrumental in shaping effective practices that not only meet but exceed student expectations.

The significance of nurturing a culture of continuous improvement within educational services cannot be overstated. As institutions strive to adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities in the educational sector, the principles laid out in this study by Amiri and colleagues offer a vital roadmap for progress. The ultimate goal remains clear: to create a learning experience where students not only thrive academically but also develop a lasting allegiance to their institutions as they navigate the complexities of their educational journeys.

Subject of Research: Educational services quality and its impact on students’ satisfaction and loyalty.

Article Title: Evaluation of educational services quality and its impact on students’ satisfaction and loyalty based on academic quality improvement program (AQIP) model.

Article References:

Amiri, M., Shahir-Roudi, E., Shahsavar, H. et al. Evaluation of educational services quality and its impact on students’ satisfaction and loyalty based on academic quality improvement program (AQIP) model.
BMC Med Educ 25, 1351 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07988-w

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI:

Keywords: Educational services quality, student satisfaction, student loyalty, AQIP model, higher education.