Improving the Environmental Work at University of Passo Fundo, Brazil - Towards an Environmental Management System

In the last few years, sustainable development and environmental management have become an important issue in Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). This paper aims to analyze the sustainable practices already implemented by the University of Passo Fundo (UPF), located in the Southern Brazil, and then, points out the guidelines for a sustainable environmental management, involving academic activities and the campus infrastructure. The analysis and diagnosis has been produced through the application of a methodology embedded in PDCA cycle, in order to verify on which way UPF has been facing such subjects. The basis of the proposal is a survey on national and international benchmarks with good practices of environmental sustainability at university campus Finally, are proposed some guidelines to review the environmental assessment process to following-up of the implementation of an own Environmental Management System. The research presents the conclusion that initiatives of sustainable principles have been adopted by several universities, but with an isolated approach, and the UPF the main problem is the absence of a consistent Environmental Policy that must concentrate these actions and efforts towards an effective EMS. Some actions are suggested to UPF for improved your EMS.