The Sustainability Management Laboratory (SuM Lab) research area combines knowledge of business management and policy making with the principles of sustainability, through scientific research and empirical investigation in the following areas: Environmental Management and Industrial Symbiosis; Energy and Resource Efficiency; Circular Economy and Natural Capital; Sustainable Products, Life-Cycle Thinking and Green Marketing; CSR and Accountability; Climate Change and Disaster management. 

What we do and offer

The SuM research team has a high level of skills on technical analysis, socio-economic analysis, policy and regulation, management and training for the promotion of sustainability in both private and public organizations. Our expertise includes:

Corporate Environmental Management, Life-Cycle Management (LCA, LCCS-LCA) and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF and OEF), Economics and Management of Voluntary Certification Schemes, Environmental Innovation and Competitiveness, Sustainable marketing, Environmental reporting, Stakeholder engagement, Environmental Innovation and green technologies assessment, Green Public Procurement, CSR, Health & Safety Management, Environmental economics, Public policies for Sustainable Local Development.

Sum Lab develops and implements innovative tools, guidelines and methodologies to contribute to the Green Deal, the European Commission’s strategy to implement the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and achive the Sustainable Development Goals. Sum Lab has been managing European projects on sustainability & energy management since 2006. We are experts on environmental and socio-economic impact assessment (mainly linked to our European projects), stakeholder engagement involving consumers, institutions and working together with companies, consumer behavior analysis, implementation of circular economy solutions in many productive sectors, assessment of industrial symbiosis solutions and management of eco industrial parks. We apply the LCA, LCC S-LCA and PEF methodologies to compare the performances of new and traditional products, services, materials and technologies. We support companies, trade associations and institutions in surveys, case studies and many other research activities.