Abstract
The need for integrated methodological framework for sustainability assessment has been widely discussed and is urgent due to increasingly complex environmental system problems. These problems have impacts on ecosystems and human well-being which represent a threat to economic performance of countries and corporations. Integrated assessment crosses issues; spans spatial and temporal scales; looks forward and backward; and incorporates multi-stakeholder inputs. This study aims to develop an integrated methodology by capitalizing the complementary strengths of different methods used by industrial ecologists and biophysical economists. The computational methodology proposed here is systems perspective, integrative, and holistic approach for sustainability assessment which attempts to link basic science and technology to policy formulation. The framework adopts life cycle thinking methods—LCA, LCC, and SLCA; stakeholders analysis supported by multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA); and dynamic system modelling. Following Pareto principle, the critical sustainability criteria, indicators and metrics (i.e., hotspots) can be identified and further modelled using system dynamics or agent based modelling and improved by data envelopment analysis (DEA) and sustainability network theory (SNT). The framework is being applied to development of biofuel supply chain networks. The framework can provide new ways of integrating knowledge across the divides between social and natural sciences as well as between critical and problem-solving research.
Highlights
In order to advance the inter-/cross-/trans-disciplinary notions of industrial ecology, ecological/evolutionary economics, biophysical/thermo-economics, sustainability science and engineering in confronting development-related issues, we need to develop transformative, life cycle, systems-oriented thinking frameworks, tools and methods to support policy and regulation formulation as well as for corporate decision making
This study provides the conceptual, theoretical, empirical, and computational background needed to further develop the basic science, engineering, education, and policy knowledge base relevant to sustainability
The integrated methodological framework is currently being applied to development of supply chain networks of wood-based ethanol and palm-oil biodiesel as well as creation of ecologically sustainable forest-based eco-industrial park in Maine
Summary
In order to advance the inter-/cross-/trans-disciplinary notions of industrial ecology, ecological/. Proposes an assessment that involves a step-wise procedure that can advance the science and application of ISA to policies, regulations and business practices [4] Another related project is the SUE-MoT which is focused on developing holistic metrics, methods and tools in a way that reflects stakeholder values [16]. Efforts, our study aims to address the interlinkages of system methods used by analyzing the complementary strengths and developing an integrated decision-support framework for assessing systems sustainability This advanced framework can be aptly described as multi-criteria, systems perspective and engaging the relevant stakeholders. This methodological development is different from existing methods which are piecemeal, steady-state, reductionist approach to solving complex issues.
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