CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: LESSONS LEARNED FROM BRAZIL-COLOMBIA NETWORK

Goal: this paper goal is presenting sustainability experiences using Life Cycle Assessment perspective in two Latin America higher education institutions (HEI). What similarities do these HEI have in common regarding sustainability? What are the major challenges they face? In which way is Circular Economy effective on university campuses? Since universities face challenges posed by a changing and competitive environment, there ought to be sustainable management that is more appropriate to higher education institutions' real environment, which is characterized by complexity, paradoxes, ambiguities, and conflicts. Methodology/Approach: Multiple Case Study. A resilience threshold of global ecosystem should be considered. Ecosystem dynamics require effort in mapping its functions. Results: the results considered that the difference between environmental approach failure and success lies in knowing how to realign their strategic plans. Limitations of the investigation: comparing private and public HEI and different levels of education (technical, undergraduate and graduate courses). Practical implication: the practical implication leads to an understanding that Circular Economy in HEI can be perceived as a guideline to innovation towards a more sustainable economy. Originality/value: the originality/value of this work is the ability of enabling scientists to empathize with both Brazil and Colombia's LCA perspectives in HEI.