An Identification Key for Selecting Methods for Sustainability Assessments

Abstract

Sustainability assessments can play an important role in decision making. This role starts with selecting appropriate methods for a given situation. We observed that scientists, consultants, and decision-makers often do not systematically perform a problem analyses that guides the choice of the method, partly related to a lack of systematic, though sufficiently versatile approaches to do so. Therefore, we developed and propose a new step towards method selection on the basis of question articulation: the Sustainability Assessment Identification Key. The identification key was designed to lead its user through all important choices needed for comprehensive question articulation. Subsequently, methods that fit the resulting specific questions are suggested by the key. The key consists of five domains, of which three determine method selection and two the design or use of the method. Each domain consists of four or more criteria that need specification. For example in the domain "system boundaries", amongst others, the spatial and temporal scales are specified. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 2491The key was tested (retrospectively) on a set of thirty case studies. Using the key appeared to contribute to improved: (i) transparency in the link between the question and method selection; (ii) consistency between questions asked and answers provided; and (iii) internal consistency in methodological design. There is latitude to develop the current initial key further, not only for selecting methods pertinent to a problem definition, but also as a principle for associated opportunities such as stakeholder identification.

Methods for assessing future scenarios from a sustainability perspective

“…[2]), the type of output provided by the different methods or if a lifecycle perspective is wanted or not (c.f. [7,8]. Some of these aspects are described below.…”

“…A number of methods can be used for sustainability assessments (SAs), depending on the purpose, focus and scope [2][3][4][5]. Important features of many methodologies under the umbrella of SAs are, among others, the importance of considering both environmental and social aspects, of acknowledging values brought into the assessment, consideration of how sustainability is viewed, uncertainty and transparency handled and the importance of participatory approaches [6][7][8][9]. The role of scenarios in different sustainability assessment methods has been discussed (e.g.…”

Sustainability values for business: A perspective of value alignment in a supplier-client relationship for case Aqualogy

“…Over time, sustainability value has gone on to become part and parcel of literature, especially when it comes to rethinking the strategy of embedding sustainability in business, or any contexts driven by the desire to combine new value propositions aimed at achieving greater customer satisfaction through them (Peat, 2003;Tukker, 2015). However, although extant literature explores sustainability contributions in business performance, it is also true that there are gaps in how to align supplier-client requirements on sustainability business interests, and how this void tends to have an impact on the value creation process and its assessment (Van Passel et al, 2009;Doualle et al, 2015;Zijp et al, 2015). This failure in value alignment is often due to the limited understanding and identification of the appreciative value criteria in a supplier-client relationship or collaborative relationships.…”

Sustainability Assessment in Development Planning in Sub-National Territories: Regional Development Strategies in Chile

“…Clearly, due to the existence of different conceptual and theoretical interpretations, the operational and practical elements will also be different and, consequently, in the absence of conceptual definitions, an additional complexity is generated in order to make the operative-type definitions comparable [14,15]. One of the basic questions associated with the assessment is: what is the conceptual basis determining the approach of sustainable development?…”

“…Values are declarations of beliefs that are ingrained and accepted as premises [16]; they are directly associated with the way of defining and quantifying what is to be developed and sustained, and with how much longer it is possible to determine principals and guidelines. Sustainability assessment is specifically oriented towards the management cycle of public policies, planning, and decision-making in relation to sustainable development [15,17]. In this sense, there are different stages in public policy in which a procedure for the assessment of sustainability can be applied: ex ante, aimed at promoting decision-making within a framework of sustainability [18,19]; or ex-post, intended to determine whether decisions taken are within the sustainability framework, or what type of sustainability has been employed in the decision-making process [20][21][22].…”