Definición de un Índice Medioambiental para la Evaluación del Desempeño Medioambiental, caso de estudio, industria de puertas y ventanas de madera

Abstract

A partir del uso del Diseno Ambientalmente Integrado (dAI), como una filosofia y metodologia de diseno para el analisis holistico de los niveles de sostenibilidad de un producto, proceso o servicio, en relacion con el medio ambiente y el desarrollo tecnologico, permitio determinar para la industria forestal, deficiencias respecto a: diseno de productos, procesos, y servicios; indicadores de Evaluacion de Desempeno Medioambiental (EDM); e indices medioambientales. Se aplico la metodologia 3S para formular la propuesta de un indice medioambiental a ser aplicado, en una primera instancia, en la industria espanola de puertas y ventanas de madera y productos forestales, con proyeccion internacional. Se consulto a todo un panel seleccionado de expertos academicos e investigadores del sector forestal de Iberoamerica, y de profesionales que laboran en las principales industrias en cuestion. Se logra formular matematicamente un indice de EDM contextualizado en la Integracion Ambiental Total (IAT), que contempla, ademas, todos los factores del Omniverso total (OT) para un intervalo de tiempo definido (t 0-n), donde se desenvuelva una industria. La propuesta alcanzada es innovadora, por su vision holistica. Este indice medioambiental permite, primero, profundizar el diagnostico y la proyeccion global futura de la situacion real de una industria, con el uso de una metodologia de EDM, para la evaluacion medioambiental, y la toma de decisiones oportunas de la alta gerencia para la mejora continua. Finalmente, cuantifica las evaluaciones tecnicas en detalle para los principales factores caracterizados en categorias (recursos, economica, tecnologica, socio-cultural, y politico – institucional), en los seis niveles del Omniverso. Abstract Definition of an environmental index for evaluating environmental performance: A case study in industry of wooden doors and windows Using Integrated Environmental Design (dAI) as a philosophical and methodological starting point for holistic analysis on sustainability level of a product, its production process and service, we identified some deficiencies in our forestry industry. These deficiencies were recognized in product design, production process and service, in indicators of environmental performance evaluation (EDM) and also in environmental indexes. We then applied 3S method for formulating a proposal of an environmental index to be applied. As an initial case, we studied a Spanish industry of wooden doors and windows as well as other forestry products with international repercussion. We consulted with a panel of academic experts and researchers from Latin America in forestry sector and also with some professionals who work in principal industries in question. We mathematically obtained an EDM index, contextualized in terms of Total Environmental Integration (IAT). The index contemplates all the factors of Total Omniverse (OT) for a defined time interval (t 0-n), during which an industry would unfold. Our proposal thus formed is innovative in its holistic vision. This environmental index firstly allowed us to delve into proper diagnosis and to cast light on the global future of an industry. With an application of EDM method, one can evaluate environmental factors and also can make appropriate decisions at senior management level for continuous improvement. Finally, our proposed methodology would quantify technical evaluations in detail for the principal factors that are characterized in categories (resources, economy, technology, socio-cultural, political and institutional aspects) at six levels of Omniverse.