Tato diplomová práce se zaměřuje na aplikaci koncepce udržitelného rozvoje ve firmě Volkswagen Slovakia na posílení její konkurenceschopnosti. Automobilová společnost je analyzována jako hráč v odvětví udržitelné mobility a její současná strategie je zhodnocena v zmyslu udržitelnosti. Na základě nejrelevantnějších aspektů analytické části je navržena řada doporučení, které by měli podpořit působení firmy v oblasti výroby elektrických vozidel a poskytování transportních služeb a které by měli přispět k dosažení eko-konkurenční výhody v daném odvětví.

In the current literature, a gap is identified concerning how SMEs can achieve eco-efficiency through digitalisation. This study sets out to explore how firms can achieve eco-efficiency objectives by employing digitalisation as a resource. It does so by viewing digital resources through the lens of the resource-based view which concerns the link between resource heterogeneity, mobility of resources, and the competitive advantage benefited by the firm. The study employs an explorative investigation using qualitative data collection in the form of interviews with six case companies. All of the cases operate within the Swedish logistics industry. The selection of the logistics industry was made since it is cost and efficiency-oriented, burdensome on the environment, and reliant on digital technologies. The data revealed that the cases have a stronger inclination towards one of two main eco-efficiency motivations. Some are more economically motivated, and others are more environmentally motivated. In either case, the types of digital resources employed are characterised by whether they are configurable or generic. The firms share a commonality in that they all strive to make their digital resources more productive by combining them with digitalisation capabilities, which are a specific form of capabilities that enable companies to deploy digital resources more effectively and efficiently towards eco-efficiency. They do this to separate themselves from the competition and create a sustained competitive advantage.

This study implements radial and non-radial Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models to assess eco-efficiency and eco-productivity of the 50 states in the United States in 2018. The models are based on three inputs (capital stock, employment, and energy consumption), a single desirable output (real gross domestic product) and a single undesirable output variable (CO2 emissions). The radial DEA models reveal that at least 32 states are operated efficiently. Five states perform at the most optimal scale size, whereas 17 states have considerable potential to boost their productive efficiencies by enlarging available resources, and 28 states are overinvested in their input variables given their current output levels. The non-radial DEA models show that, overall, the states’ capital efficiency is very high, whereas energy and emission efficiencies are very low. The states’ eco-productivity is relatively higher than the eco-efficiency levels. In the second stage of the analysis, non-parametric statistical tests and Tobit regressions are conducted for further investigation. According to the non-parametric statistical test, high capital stock, labor force, and energy usage do not affect the states’ productive efficiency. However, states with low carbon dioxide emissions have significantly higher eco-efficiency and eco-productivity levels. The Tobit regression results illustrate that nuclear power and renewable energy consumption significantly affect the states’ relative efficiencies.

The circular economy is presented as a solution to reconcile environmental protection with economic endeavours. However, only 9% of the global manufacturing currently deploys circularity. Within the furniture industry, with its intensive use of resources, the adoption remains limited. However, the application of furniture remanufacturing practices in Europe is currently estimated to be a €300M turnover while presumably avoiding around 3.3 to 5.7 Mt CO2 eq. The literature on the transition to circular furniture has not yet identified the success factors and practical insights to facilitate the adoption of circularity. Therefore, this research sets out to evaluate the economic and environmental benefit that could be achieved by transitioning from a business-as-usual furniture product to a circular one. The analysis is conducted in cooperation with two European companies – a circular kitchen start-up and a traditional public seating retailer. A cradle-to-grave life cycle costing and life cycle assessment investigates the two case studies regarding their change trajectories for their costs and environmental impacts. With its novel design and changed material composition, the circular kitchen reduced the global warming potential of a standard kitchen by about 40%, which comes at a cost premium of 5%. Likewise, the circular transformation in the second case indicated similar environmental impact changes and economic benefit compared to the conventional product. The total life cycle costs decreased by 10%, while the results reveal a coincidental lowered global warming potential by one fourth. The integrated assessment also reveals the pre-production and production phase for both case studies as the most impactful even after the application of circular strategies. The outcomes coupled with the qualitative assessment further demonstrated decisive internal and external factors accompanying the successful transition of the furniture companies. Still, a vast amount of similar case studies is necessary to validate the change trajectories to facilitate the industry-wide adoption of circular strategies, as discussed in the present study. / Den cirkulära ekonomin presenteras som en lösning för att förena miljöskydd med ekonomiska mål. Dock använder endast 9% av den globala tillverkningen cirkuläritet i dagsläget. Inom möbelindustrin, med sin intensiva resursanvändning, är cirkuläritet fortfarande begränsat. Samtidigt uppskattas återtillverkning av möbler i Europa omsätta 300 miljoner euro och undvika omkring 3,3 till 5,7 miljoner ton koldioxidekvivalenter.  Litteraturen om övergången till cirkulära möbler har ännu inte identifierat några framgångsfaktorer eller praktiska insikter för att underlätta övergången till cirkuläritet. Denna studie ämnar därför att utvärdera de ekonomiska och miljömässiga fördelar som skulle kunna uppnås genom att övergå från en möbelprodukt som är business-as-usual till en cirkulär produkt. Analysen görs i samarbete med två europeiska företag – en cirkulär köks-startup och en traditionell återförsäljare av möbler för offentliga rum och ytor. Genom livscykelkostnads- och livscykelanalys undersöktes de två fallstudierna.  Med sin nya design och förändrade materialkomposition minskade det cirkulära köket den globala uppvärmningspotentialen i ett standardkök med cirka 40%, vilket skedde till en kostnadspremie på 5%. På samma sätt visade den cirkulära omvandlingen i det andra fallet liknande miljökonsekvensförändringar och ekonomiska fördelar jämfört med den konventionella produkten. De totala livscykelkostnaderna minskade med 10%, medan även potentiell klimatpåverkan minskade med en fjärdedel. Den integrerade bedömningen visar också att förproduktions- och produktionsfasen för båda fallstudierna är de faserna med mest signifikant påverkan, även efter tillämpningen av cirkulära strategier.  Resultatet demonstrerar tydliga interna och externa faktorer som medföljer en framgångsrik övergång för möbelbolag. En stor mängd liknande fallstudier är dock nödvändiga för att validera de kvantitativa fynden och facilitera bredare applicering av cirkulära strategier inom sektorn.

This study used the socio-eco efficiency framework as an application tool to resilience the green environment at Kombolecha industrial zone by balancing the water consumption growth and green environmental tradeoffs. In addition, it aimed to determine the significant indicators, which associated with the water consumption and recycling efficiency. The consumers (factories and households) socio-eco efficiency practices were limited and then caused groundwater degradation and green environmental depletion. Previous studies, for instance, BASF (2009), ESCAP (2011) eco-efficiency, and Sailing et al., (2013) SEE balance (socio-eco efficiency) analysis targeted the company’s product portfolio and quality improvement. This study, however, considered both factories and household’s consumption activities that were proven to manifest in a complex water consumption compared to the production process. The study integrated social, economic and environmental indicators and determined the socio-eco efficiency effects on theresource consumption growth and green environment tradeoffs; water consumption and recycling efficiency. Subsequently, the study then developed a socio-eco efficiency model that used to balance the gaps between water consumption and recycling intensity inefficiency. The socio- eco efficiency indicators could, thus, be an applied tool that could be measured by employing the binary logistic regression, instrumental variable model, simultaneous equation model and the propensity score matching estimation. Based on this, this study results indicated that the household’s awareness, perception and consumption behaviours concerning the green mind adoption, product, market, technology and jobs use were strongly associated and influenced by the water resource consumption growth and green environment tradeoffs at the 5 percent significance level. Particularly, the household’s social aspects, consumer’s culture, behaviour and poverty; economic (monthly income) and environmental aspects (waterquantity limit and waste recycle) were found to bestatistically significant and strongly altered the water resource consumption and recycling efficiency by 0.000 values at the 95 percent confidence level. This study implication was thesocio-eco efficiency framework, which was key the finding of the study that holds the three key indicators, did directly associate and significant determine the factories and household’s groundwater consumption and recycling intensity differently by 0.000 values at the 95 percent confidence level. The socio- eco efficiency model could thus be an analytical tool that could be applied into groundwater consumption and recycling process. The socio-eco efficiency resource model, which is a key tool to resilient the green environment, optimized the water consumption and recycling efficiency and could be incorporated into the groundwater and green environment protection policy of Ethiopia. This study, in a circular fashion, proved socio-eco efficiency application and resolved some of the consumption paradox in the factories and household’s groundwater consumption and recycling processes. Thenon-integrated indicators and inapplicability of the socio-eco efficiency framework, nonetheless, made the green environment cautiously. So that a tactical integrative socio-eco efficiency resource model, particularly, green finances, such as green water tax, lease, paymenhave to be incorporated during the groundwater consumption that recovers the green environment attainments in Kombolecha and at large in Ethiopia. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environment Management)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:50:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RICARDO RAMOS ALVES.pdf: 6055902 bytes, checksum: 9c328d25a09a4ae28d557cd39ca5b65c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-10-20 / This work analyses the Eco-efficiency as a concept and indicator of sustainability in construction. It brings together the diagnosis of its role in the companies following the principle of developmental sustainability and socioenviromental responsibility. Its usage approach as a strategy in banks is complemented as a case study in Banco do Brasil, where there is the support of several eco-efficient practices which are related to its qualitative and quantitative aspects from 2002 to 2009. Banco do Brasil supports actions, agreements, alliances, protocoles and principles since the 80s. They have recently culminated with the Enterprize 21 Agenda Project (Projeto Agenda 21 Empresarial). As a result, this reinforced the compromise with the environmental management. The eco-efficiency tool, which was created in 1992, has been used more and more by banks with the purpose of measuring productivity and competitiveness. It has, in fact, affected somehow the management and behaviour of what is produced, consumed and discarded. The sustainability strategy of Banco do Brasil predicts actions which go beyond its role as a bank. The actions also have to meet the needs of the federal government socioenviromental issues. Thus, its innovations, practices and eco-efficiency programs are strongly related to enterprises and communities which constantly assess their credit and investment policies for this area. Hence, By giving details about the environmental actions taken by Banco do Brasil, the research intends to show that even though it has developed in certain ways, there is a low level of efficiency and efficacy between objectives and results. It has been reported by the employees of the bank. The proof that there is desorganization of data, lack of control in the process, not enough trust among the actors, and lack of methodology, conscioussness, knowledge about the actions, may not be enough to justify. Indeed, it points out another issue concerning the effectiveness of this eco-efficiency. Irrespective of all this, the environment has brought new opportunities for banks. In regard to Banco do Brasil, the ability to join business to sustainability is renewed. / Este trabalho analisa a ecoeficiência como um conceito e um indicador de sustentabilidade em construção. E traz um diagnóstico de seu papel nas empresas dentro dos princípios do desenvolvimento sustentável e da responsabilidade socioambiental. A abordagem de seu uso como estratégia nos bancos é complementada com um estudo de caso no Banco do Brasil, que adota várias práticas ecoeficientes que são relacionadas sobre os aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos, no período de 2002 a 2009. O BB adota desde a década de 80, ações, acordos, pactos, protocolos e princípios que recentemente culminaram com o projeto de Agenda 21 Empresarial, o que reforçou seu compromisso com a gestão ambiental. A ferramenta da ecoeficiência, criada em 1992, tem sido utilizada cada vez mais pelos bancos para medir a produtividade e a competitividade, afetando a gestão e o comportamento do que se produz, se consome e se descarta. A estratégia de sustentabilidade do Banco do Brasil prevê ações que extrapolam o seu papel de banco e que precisam atender as demandas socioambientais do governo federal. Assim suas inovações, práticas e programas de Ecoeficiência têm uma relação forte com as organizações e várias comunidades que avaliam frequentemente suas políticas de crédito e investimento para esta área. A pesquisa ao detalhar as práticas ambientais do BB quer exemplificar que apesar dos avanços obtidos, ainda há uma baixa eficiência e eficácia entre metas e resultados, como afirmam os próprios funcionários. A confirmação de que há desorganização dos dados, descontrole nos processos, pouca confiança entre os atores e falta de metodologia e conhecimento das ações, pode não ser suficiente para justificar, mas aponta para um outro problema que seria o da efetividade desta ecoeficiência. Mesmo assim, o meio ambiente trouxe novas oportunidades aos bancos. E para o BB, renova-se sua capacidade de aliar negócios à sustentabilidade.

Os resíduos sólidos urbanos são um dos grandes problemas da sociedade atual. Nesse sentido é necessário discutir soluções para o destino dos resíduos gerados diariamente, cada vez mais em maior quantidade, sendo imperativo avançar na busca de alternativas, não só na busca de novas tecnologias e soluções, como também o aprimoramento das metodologias hoje empregadas para resolver este relevante problema, especialmente nos grande centros urbanos. Esta dissertação expõe o resultado de uma avaliação econômico-ambiental comparativa realizada por meio de uma metodologia desenvolvida pela BASF, entre duas potenciais tecnologias: aterro sanitário e a incineração com recuperação de energia. Para viabilizar o trabalho, as informações utilizadas foram tanto de dados reais aterro sanitário e incinerador Essencis Soluções Ambientais S.A., (assumindo algumas premissas) quanto a utilização de dados secundários, utilizando o estudo de Arena et al., 2003. Esta ferramenta de Análise de Ecoeficiência abrange a metodologia de Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), que é uma técnica para avaliar as entradas e saídas de matéria e energia e os impactos ambientais potenciais associados a todas as etapas de extração de recursos e suas transformações, além do uso e disposição final do produto. Os dados obtidos na avaliação ambiental são apresentados segundo as categorias principais, usando um método de ponderação desenvolvido pela BASF e compreendem o consumo de recursos naturais, consumo de recursos energéticos, emissões para o ar, água e solo, potencial de toxicidade humana, acidentes do trabalho, doenças ocupacionais e uso da terra. A avaliação econômica, neste trabalho, levou em consideração os custos envolvidos na operação e manutenção das técnicas de disposição ou tratamento dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. O estudo comparativo considerou a disposição ou tratamento de 7.324.109.000 quilogramas de resíduos sólidos urbanos. Como resultado, a matriz de ecoeficiência aponta que o incinerador é a alternativa que mais se destaca, considerando o perfil ambiental e econômico, dentro das premissas adotadas neste estudo e levando-se em consideração que é uma técnica com aproveitamento de energia. / Municipal solid waste is one of the major problems of modern society. In this sense it is necessary to discuss solutions to the fate of waste generated daily, increasingly in larger amounts, being imperative to advance the search for alternatives, not only in search of new technologies and solutions, as well as the improvement of methodologies currently employed to solve this relevant issue, especially in large urban centers. This paper presents the results of a comparative economic-environmental assessment performed by a method developed by BASF, two potential technologies: landfill and incineration with energy recovery. To facilitate the work, the information used were both real data - landfill and incinerator - Essencis Soluções Ambientais S.A., (assuming some assumptions) and the use of secondary data, using the study of Arena et al., 2003. This Ecoefficiency Analysis tool covers the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is a technique to evaluate the inputs and outputs of matter and energy and the potential environmental impacts associated with all stages of resource extraction and their transformations , and the use and final disposal of the product. The data in the environmental assessment are presented according to major categories, using a weighting method developed by BASF and understand the consumption of natural resources, consumption of energy resources, air emissions, water and soil, potential for human toxicity, accidents work, occupational diseases and land use. Economic evaluation in this work took into account the costs involved in operation and maintenance of disposal techniques or treatment of waste. The comparative study found the treatment or disposal of 7.324109 billion kilograms of waste. As a result, the array of eco-efficiency indicates that the incinerator is the alternative that stands out, considering the environmental and economic profile, within the assumptions made in this study and taking into account which is a technique with energy recovery.

Os resíduos sólidos urbanos são um dos grandes problemas da sociedade atual. Nesse sentido é necessário discutir soluções para o destino dos resíduos gerados diariamente, cada vez mais em maior quantidade, sendo imperativo avançar na busca de alternativas, não só na busca de novas tecnologias e soluções, como também o aprimoramento das metodologias hoje empregadas para resolver este relevante problema, especialmente nos grande centros urbanos. Esta dissertação expõe o resultado de uma avaliação econômico-ambiental comparativa realizada por meio de uma metodologia desenvolvida pela BASF, entre duas potenciais tecnologias: aterro sanitário e a incineração com recuperação de energia. Para viabilizar o trabalho, as informações utilizadas foram tanto de dados reais aterro sanitário e incinerador Essencis Soluções Ambientais S.A., (assumindo algumas premissas) quanto a utilização de dados secundários, utilizando o estudo de Arena et al., 2003. Esta ferramenta de Análise de Ecoeficiência abrange a metodologia de Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), que é uma técnica para avaliar as entradas e saídas de matéria e energia e os impactos ambientais potenciais associados a todas as etapas de extração de recursos e suas transformações, além do uso e disposição final do produto. Os dados obtidos na avaliação ambiental são apresentados segundo as categorias principais, usando um método de ponderação desenvolvido pela BASF e compreendem o consumo de recursos naturais, consumo de recursos energéticos, emissões para o ar, água e solo, potencial de toxicidade humana, acidentes do trabalho, doenças ocupacionais e uso da terra. A avaliação econômica, neste trabalho, levou em consideração os custos envolvidos na operação e manutenção das técnicas de disposição ou tratamento dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. O estudo comparativo considerou a disposição ou tratamento de 7.324.109.000 quilogramas de resíduos sólidos urbanos. Como resultado, a matriz de ecoeficiência aponta que o incinerador é a alternativa que mais se destaca, considerando o perfil ambiental e econômico, dentro das premissas adotadas neste estudo e levando-se em consideração que é uma técnica com aproveitamento de energia. / Municipal solid waste is one of the major problems of modern society. In this sense it is necessary to discuss solutions to the fate of waste generated daily, increasingly in larger amounts, being imperative to advance the search for alternatives, not only in search of new technologies and solutions, as well as the improvement of methodologies currently employed to solve this relevant issue, especially in large urban centers. This paper presents the results of a comparative economic-environmental assessment performed by a method developed by BASF, two potential technologies: landfill and incineration with energy recovery. To facilitate the work, the information used were both real data - landfill and incinerator - Essencis Soluções Ambientais S.A., (assuming some assumptions) and the use of secondary data, using the study of Arena et al., 2003. This Ecoefficiency Analysis tool covers the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is a technique to evaluate the inputs and outputs of matter and energy and the potential environmental impacts associated with all stages of resource extraction and their transformations , and the use and final disposal of the product. The data in the environmental assessment are presented according to major categories, using a weighting method developed by BASF and understand the consumption of natural resources, consumption of energy resources, air emissions, water and soil, potential for human toxicity, accidents work, occupational diseases and land use. Economic evaluation in this work took into account the costs involved in operation and maintenance of disposal techniques or treatment of waste. The comparative study found the treatment or disposal of 7.324109 billion kilograms of waste. As a result, the array of eco-efficiency indicates that the incinerator is the alternative that stands out, considering the environmental and economic profile, within the assumptions made in this study and taking into account which is a technique with energy recovery.

A prevenção à poluição é uma abordagem de gerenciamento ambiental que prioriza a redução dos resíduos na fonte como forma de preservar os recursos naturais e reduzir o desperdício de materiais, água e energia, em contraposição à abordagem tradicional, que se apóia nas tecnologias de controle e tratamento de resíduos. Apesar de resultar em benefícios ambientais e econômicos, existem uma série de barreiras que impedem uma maior disseminação das práticas de prevenção à poluição nas indústrias, dentre as quais a principal é a falta de conscientização em relação aos benefícios. Para eliminar esta barreira, faz-se necessário o desenvolvimento e a divulgação dos conceitos e ferramentas de apoio ao processo de identificação de oportunidades, ferramentas para o monitoramento e avaliação da performance ambiental dos processos produtivos, bem como de estudos de caso propondo alternativas de prevenção à poluição para os diferentes setores industriais. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo fundamental apresentar os conceitos, sistemáticas e ferramentas necessárias ao entendimento da abordagem de prevenção à poluição, e ao desenvolvimento, implantação e monitoramento de programas de prevenção à poluição em processos industriais. Como forma de avaliar a aplicação do conceito e das ferramentas de identificação de oportunidades, e os benefícios e barreiras, foi realizada a avaliação de um processo produtivo industrial. Os resultados obtidos fornecem embasamento teórico para que outros trabalhos semelhantes sejam desenvolvidos, e servem como incentivo para que a empresa na qual foi realizada a avaliação, passe a adotar o conceito de prevenção à poluição como princípio norteador nas suas atividades de gestão ambiental. / Pollution prevention is an environmental management approach that prioritizes the source reduction of wastes as a way to preserve natural resources and reduce material, water and energy losses, conversely to the traditional approach, based on end of pipe technologies. In spite of the environmental and economic benefits, many barriers can impede the widespreading of pollution prevention practices at industry, among them, the most important one is the lack of consciousness on the pollution prevention benefits. To overcome this barrier, it is necessary to develop and report concepts and tools to support the opportunity assessment process, tools to monitor and evaluate industrial processes environmental performance, as well as case studies on pollution prevention alternatives to different industrial sectors. This research fundamental aim is to present the concepts, approaches and tools necessary to understand the pollution prevention approach and to develop, implement and monitor industrial pollution prevention plans. A case study was conducted in a company to evaluate the concept application, the utilization of the apportunities assessment tools, and the benefits and barriers. The results provide a theoric framework so that other similar studies can be conducted, and also serve as an incentive for the company where the case study was conducted, to improve its environmental management activities by adopting pollution prevention concept as a guiding principle.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-04-03T16:44:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Camila Copello Canazaro_.pdf: 1264806 bytes, checksum: f87f45421f57d933c65e9c84547ad633 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-03T16:44:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Camila Copello Canazaro_.pdf: 1264806 bytes, checksum: f87f45421f57d933c65e9c84547ad633 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-01-18 / Nenhuma / O uso racional de materiais na construção civil e a responsabilidade deste setor com o meio ambiente têm sido objetos de pesquisa no meio acadêmico. As certificações ambientais surgiram neste cenário para orientar os envolvidos no processo afim de reduzir os impactos ambientais causados pelo setor. Neste contexto, a eco-eficiência e a eco-eficácia apresentam diferentes abordagens a este tema e fundamentam as análises da certificação LEED realizada neste trabalho. O trabalho tem como objetivo geral analisar a atualização dos critérios ao longo das versões de um programa de certificação ambiental de prédios (LEED) a partir dos conceitos de eco-eficiência e eco-eficácia. Como objetivos específicos, esta pesquisa analisa: (i) a atualização dos critérios do programa de certificação para as fases de projeto e de uso ao longo do tempo; (ii) a pontuação de um prédio certificado, considerando os critérios na versão atual da certificação; (iii) o prédio certificado a partir dos conceitos de eco-eficiência e eco-eficácia. Para avaliar a atualização dos critérios da certificação ao longo do tempo foram realizadas análises de cada requisito das certificações de projeto e operação das versões v3 (2009) e v4 (2016). Esta etapa resultou em macro alterações na certificação, como o surgimento de novas tipologias, do Processo de Projeto Integrado e a criação de uma categoria exclusiva para Localização e Transportes. A avaliação do prédio na versão mais atual da certificação v4 (2016), foi realizada através de visitas à edificação e entrevistas com os operadores da mesma. Esta etapa resultou no decréscimo da pontuação da edificação para a certificação de projeto na v4 (2016). Porém, a certificação de operação atingiu classificação máxima (Platina), com 82 pontos, pelo fato de os operadores já praticarem diversas ações que a certificação exige, independente da certificação de projeto. Por fim, foram avaliados como a certificação e o prédio certificado atendem aos conceitos de eco-eficiência e eco-eficácia, afim de verificar se produzem impactos positivos no meio ambiente ou apenas os reduzem. O estudo revelou que a certificação está em busca da produção de impactos positivos no meio ambiente e de inovações tecnológicas, apesar de ainda estarem presentes em um pequeno número de créditos. / The rational use of materials in the construction industry and the responsibility this sector has towards the environment has been object of research in the academia over the past few decades. In this context, the environmental certifications have arisen to guide the involved in the processes, seeking to reduce the environmental impacts caused by this sector. The analysis conducted in this study is based on the different approaches the concepts of eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness brought on the subject. The main goal of this essay is to analyze, at the light of eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness, the criteria evolution of an environmental certification program designed for buildings (LEED) over the course of time. As specific objectives, this study evaluates: (i) the updates of the certification program criteria for the design stage and operations and maintenance stage from version v3 (2009) to version v4 (2016); (ii) the comparison between the score achieved by a certificated building, taking in consideration the criteria of the certification program’s current version and its previous version; (iii) the aspects of eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness of the certificated building. Each of the conditions of versions v3 (2009) and v4 (2016) of both the design certification and operations and maintenance certification has been analyzed in order to evaluate the updates over the course of time. This analysis showed significant changes in the certification, with the inclusion of new typologies and important concerns, such as the Integrative Process and the establishment of a new category exclusively for Location and Transportation. The evaluation of the building under the conditions of the latest version of the program was performed through visits and interviews with its operators. A comparison between the building scores obtained in versions v3 (2009) and v4 (2016) showed a decrease in the latter. The building achieved a total of 82 points on the operations and maintenance certification, reaching the Platinum category, despite the lower score on the design certification, due to the practices required by the program already being performed by its operators. Finally, the certification and certified building were evaluated against the aspects of eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness in order to verify if the generation of good impacts on the environment are taken into consideration or if they rely solely on the reduction of bad impacts. The study revealed that the certification analyzed is seeking the generation of good impacts and technology innovation, although these concepts are still verified in a just few credits.