Assessing the efficiency and sustainability of three eco-campus systems in Northwestern China using a comprehensive evaluation framework

Abstract

Efforts have been made to alleviate plenty of various environmental issues and economic backwardness of elementary and secondary schools in rural China. In this paper, a multiple-perspective assessment framework was applied to evaluate the performance of three eco-campus systems. A set of emergy analysis, life cycle assessment, economic and social analysis indicators of the integrated framework were quantified and analyzed in detail. The results showed that the “Toilet-Biogas-Vegetables” mode (ESI=3.23) had the best sustainability in terms of comprehensive performance, followed by the “Grass-Goats&Toilet-Biogas-Fruits” mode (ESI=1.62) and the “Pigs&Toilet-Biogas-Vegetables” mode (ESI=0.82). In terms of environmental impact, the XDZS has the highest greenhouse gas emission reduction potential, reaching 26.44 ton in total. However, compared to common biogas integrated ecosystems, the three systems have some similarities in many aspects, such as appreciable resource recycling, net carbon sink, energy conservation, and economic feasibility. In this case, the combination of emergy synthesis, life cycle assessment, economic and social analysis provided a better insight into the comprehensive properties of rural campuses and thus could help us make a better environment for all the students and faculty.