Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Sustainability Measures: A Systems Approach for Policy Prioritization
Journal article, 2019

Decision makers are tasked with defining and implementing measures that can meet established environmental targets. However, it is not always clear how effective the measure(s) will be in meeting the specified goals and which measures should be prioritized for implementation. To fill this gap, we have developed a method for testing planned actions to estimate potential impact on targets. The method can be performed at any scale, e.g., at the national, regional, or city level. The approach considers several factors, including the total consumption of an area, region-specific consumption-based environmental hotspots, the decision makers, the reduction targets and related measures, as well as multiple impact types. We present the method using the example of the municipality Gothenburg, Sweden. In collaboration with local authorities in Gothenburg, we co-created scenarios that bundle proposed measures intended to make progress towards their climate target of 3.5 tons carbon dioxide equivalents per capita. We then quantified how measures related to two known environmental hotspots, fuel and electronics, may affect climate change impact levels by the target year of 2035. The scenarios indicate that despite targeting known high-impact product types in Gothenburg, the efforts lead to only 14% of the reduction needed to meet the specified goal.

prioritization

co-creation

impact assessment

consumption impacts

decision making

policy support

environmental impact

Author

Alexandra Lavers Westin

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Yuliya Kalmykova

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Leonardo Rosado

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Sustainability

20711050 (eISSN)

Vol. 11 3 734

The MEI method - Combining material flow analysis and life cycle assessment for evaluating effectiveness and potentials of municipal measures to reach environmental targets

Mistra Urban Futures, 2015-01-01 -- 2020-06-30.

Formas (2014-1338), 2015-01-01 -- 2018-12-31.

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Building Futures (2010-2018)

Subject Categories

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Business Administration

Environmental Sciences

DOI

10.3390/su11030734

More information

Latest update

11/15/2019