Análise das ações de desenvolvimento sustentável implementadas na Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora – um estudo de caso

Abstract

People have been degrading the natural environment for years, what has caused a series of consequences, such as emission of toxic gases, improper disposal of different types of waste, and excessive consumption of non-renewable resources. From the 1970s, some movements in favor of the environment started to gain strength, to reverse some damage and prevent others from happening. As universities are compared to small towns, they play an important role in society, not only in environmental management but also in the dissemination of sustainable thoughts and practices. This study aims to investigate how the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF) adopts sustainable practices and what the results obtained are. Therefore, research was conducted and allowed to know the planning of these practices in the institution and in which spheres the actions are carried out (environmental/social/economic), as well as the results that were obtained between the years 2016 to 2020. The research was quali-quantitative, in which documentary research, semi-structured interviews was carried out, in addition to analysis of correlations and development of performance indicators for Sustainable Development variables. Among the results found, the one that can be highlighted as the most relevant is the fact that UFJF is still in the process of implementing Sustainable Development (DS) practices and in a very incipient way, not having in its Institutional Development Plan (PDI) all its dimensions. That said, some possible actions were selected so that there is an advance in the results and some performance indicators were also suggested in this investigation, so that their results could be measured and a parameter created, aiming at improvements concerning sustainability planning in the institution through the PDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act).