An overview of sustainability assessment methodologies

Singh, Rajesh Kumar; Murty, H.R.; Gupta, Saurabh; Dikshit, Anil Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.01.007

Cited by 995 publications

(475 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…As emphasized by several authors (Burford et al 2013;Moldan et al 2012;Singh et al 2012), the choice of evaluation criteria and how to structure them into a hierarchical tree gradually led designers to define their own visions of sustainable development and its contextualization. Therefore, results cannot be normalized, which implies representing both stakeholder preferences and the diversity of concerns associated with the production system targeted.…”

Section: Selection and Hierarchy Of Sustainability Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To this end, it is classic to distinguish "contractual," "consultative," "collaborative," and "collegiate" approaches (Biggs 1989). In the topdown approach, choices are made by a small group of designers composed of experts, while in the bottom-up approach, choices are made mainly by a larger group of potential users, including stakeholders (Pope et al 2004;Singh et al 2012). Based on multiple case studies (Table 1), while users' expectations were almost always considered, the form and the degree of their involvement varied according to the type of users targeted, the sensitivity of designers to participatory approaches, and the closeness of the relationship between the working group and local stakeholders when the model was designed for a small agricultural region.…”

Section: Determining Interaction Procedures Between These Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of scientific norms is necessary to consider the requirements (economic, social, and environmental) for the long-term continuity of the system and the levels of organization with which it interacts. It is also essential to use more subjective information such as cultural, political, and ethical references when choosing the proper criteria, their relative importance, and how to evaluate them (Burford et al 2013;Rametsteiner et al 2011;Singh et al 2012). The inevitable tension between expert knowledge and stakeholders' preferences argues for a collaborative approach that lies between a "top-down" approach, which leaves decision-making power to experts, and a "bottom-up" approach, which leaves decision-making power to locally involved stakeholders.…”

Section: Role and Place Of The Participatory Approach During The Desimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A second step is to use sensitivity analysis to clarify the effects of a tree's structure on final results and assess its ability to distinguish the performance of production systems. Sensitivity analyses are one way to gain confidence in models and increase their transparency (Bergez 2013; Singh et al 2012). To perform this step, sensitivity analysis tools adapted to hierarchical qualitative models built in DEXi were recently developed Carpani et al 2012) and are available to designers and users (http://wiki.inra.fr/ wiki/deximasc/Interface+IZI-EVAL/Accueil).…”

Section: Evaluating the Relevance Of Model Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Guidelines to design models assessing agricultural sustainability, based upon feedbacks from the DEXi decision support system

Craheix¹,

Bergez²,

Angevin³

et al. 2015

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

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New agricultural systems are required to satisfy societal expectations such as higher quantity and quality of agricultural products, reducing environmental impacts, and more jobs. However, identifying and implementing more suitable agricultural systems is difficult due to conflicting objectives and to the wide diversity of scientific disciplines required to solve agricultural issues. Therefore, designing models to assess the sustainability of agricultural systems requires multicriteria decision aid methods. The French agronomist community has recently developed 11 hierarchical and qualitative models to assess sustainability using the DEXi decision aid software. Here, we give guidelines to help designers to build their own specific models. First, we present the principles and applications of the DEXi software. Then, we provide guidance on the following steps of model designing: (1) initial analysis and planning of the design process, (2) selection and hierarchy of sustainability criteria, (3) indicator selection and building, (4) parameterization, (5) evaluation, and (6) model dissemination and uses. We then discuss advantages and drawbacks of this kind of modeling formalism, the role of a participatory approach, and the main properties to consider during the design process.

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Section: Selection and Hierarchy Of Sustainability Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Determining Interaction Procedures Between These Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Role and Place Of The Participatory Approach During The Desimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evaluating the Relevance Of Model Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Guidelines to design models assessing agricultural sustainability, based upon feedbacks from the DEXi decision support system

Craheix¹,

Bergez²,

Angevin³

et al. 2015

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, integrated reporting of financial and non finan cial information is needed (Hrebicek et al 2011a(Hrebicek et al , 2011b(Hrebicek et al , 2011cDocekalova 2012 Singh et al (2009Singh et al ( , 2012). …”

Section: Theoretical Approach To Corporate Sustainability Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Economic Indicators in the Context of Corporate Sustainability Performance

Dočekalová

Kocmanová

Koleňák

2015

Business: Theory and Practice

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This article is focused on determination of the most significant economic indicators influencing corporate sustainability performance. Corporate sustainability performance is a multidimensional concept based on the original idea of sustainable development, replacing the traditional understanding of corporate performance only as capital appreciation for owners (shareholders). Compared to the original concept of sustainable development which consists of environmental, social and economic performance, the so-called triple-bottom-line, it is broaden to the responsibilities and the impact of Corporate Governance on the corporate performance. The basic set of economic indicators has been constructed from a synthesis of resources developed by international organizations (Global Reporting Initiative, International Federation of Accountants) and research among manufacturing companies in the Czech Republic. The basic set of twenty-five key indicators is divided into seven groups: Costs, Investments, Economic Results, Asset and financial resources utilization, Suppliers reliability, Penalties and RandD expenses. Basic set of indicators was presented to 23 top-managers who quantified the potential effect of each indicator to the success and sustainability of their companies. Through the methods of descriptive statistics knowledge of the particularities of each indicator was obtained. Correlation analysis and factor analysis were applied in order to eliminate information duplicity and dimensionality reduction. The result is a reduction in the number of economic indicators, so that the loss of information on the influence of the original indicators on the corporate sustainability is minimized. Corporate sustainability indicators are a tool for measuring and managing progress towards sustainability goals and environmental, social and economic impacts.

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Sustainability

Southam

2012

Encyclopedia of Environmetrics

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A relatively stable environment was vital for the advancement of human civilization over the past 12,000 years (the Holocene). During this time period, humans became experts in exploiting natural resources, allowing for an enormous population expansion as a technologically advanced society. Recognition that our very success is causing widespread damage to Earth's ecosystems is the current basis of sustainability initiatives. Life on this planet is endlessly interconnected. Scientists cannot approach sustainability issues in isolation and sustainable development management needs to reconcile social, economic, and environmental demands – the “three pillars” of sustainability. Collaborative and multidisciplinary academic research is required to understand, predict, and manage the effects humans are having on Earth in order to become sustainable.

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An overview of sustainability assessment methodologies

Cited by 995 publications

References 25 publications

Guidelines to design models assessing agricultural sustainability, based upon feedbacks from the DEXi decision support system

Guidelines to design models assessing agricultural sustainability, based upon feedbacks from the DEXi decision support system

Determination of Economic Indicators in the Context of Corporate Sustainability Performance

Sustainability

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